South Korean fans and media basked in the success of "KPop Demon Hunters" on Monday after the film clinched two Oscars and added to the country's growing pantheon of cultural hits.
The fantasy flick, a clash of good versus evil drawing heavily on Korean mythology and driven by a pulsing K-pop soundtrack, won the Academy Awards for best animated feature and best original song at Sunday's ceremony in Hollywood.
It had already built a massive global following, becoming the most-watched original film of all time on streaming giant Netflix and hoovering up accolades including a Grammy for lead track "Golden", the first such win for a K-pop song.
South Koreans hailed their latest cultural product to infect the world with "K-syndrome" -- the irresistible surrender to the country's movies, music, books, fashion and cuisine.
"So the so-called K-syndrome is now going into animated film as well," wrote one viewer using the YouTube handle Kim Chang-soo, echoing widespread pride online.
Much of the domestic reaction centred on Korean-Canadian co-director Maggie Kang's emotional acceptance speech, with the Seoul-born filmmaker dedicating the prizes to her motherland.
"The culture ministry should at least award her a medal for that speech!" one internet user commented on a news portal.
A headline in the Hankook Ilbo newspaper quoted Kang's address directly, blaring: "This is for Korea and Koreans everywhere".
News channel YTN lavished praise on Kang's "heartfelt message to Korea", referring to the movie by its affectionate shorthand "Kedehun", a combination of the title's first three syllables.
The film's dual Oscars triumph caps a remarkable run since its June release on Netflix.
On the back of its blockbuster-style debut, the platform also released a limited "sing-along" edition in North American cinemas for one weekend, which topped the box-office chart.
Netflix has already announced a sequel, though no release date has been set.
The film's Grammy win for "Golden" was widely viewed as a breakthrough moment for K-pop, marking the genre's first victory at an awards show that had eluded the industry despite its global popularity.
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...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN CHILTON...MARENGO...
PERRY...SOUTHEASTERN HALE...BIBB AND NORTHWESTERN DALLAS COUNTIES
THROUGH 300 AM CDT...
At 159 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Eoline to Butler. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Calera, Demopolis, Brent, Marion, Centreville, Jemison, Greensboro,
Linden, Uniontown, Jefferson, Thorsby, West Blocton, Maplesville,
Thomaston, Sweet Water, Newbern, Myrtlewood, Faunsdale, Dayton, and
Bogue Chitto.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for central, south
central, southwestern and west central Alabama.
&&
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN;
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
TORNADO WATCH 60 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 4 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING
FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN ALABAMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 16 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL ALABAMA
AUTAUGA BIBB CALHOUN
CHEROKEE CHILTON COOSA
DALLAS ELMORE ETOWAH
LOWNDES MARENGO MONTGOMERY
PERRY SHELBY ST. CLAIR
TALLADEGA
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALABASTER, ANNISTON, BRENT, CENTRE,
CENTREVILLE, CLANTON, COLUMBIANA, DEMOPOLIS, FORT DEPOSIT,
GADSDEN, JACKSONVILLE, LINDEN, LOWNDESBORO, MARION, MILLBROOK,
MONTGOMERY, MOODY, PELHAM, PELL CITY, PRATTVILLE, ROCKFORD,
SELMA, SYLACAUGA, TALLADEGA, UNIONTOWN, AND WETUMPKA.
...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
CDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, west winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts
up to 40 mph. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as
low as 23 in the north and 28 in the south expected.
* WHERE...All of Central Alabama
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 7 PM CDT this evening. For the
Freeze Warning, from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and
freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and
possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
Those that have in ground sprinkler systems should drain them and
cover above ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
&&
...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
CDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, west winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts
up to 40 mph. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as
low as 23 in the north and 28 in the south expected.
* WHERE...All of Central Alabama
* WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 7 PM CDT this evening. For the
Freeze Warning, from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and
freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and
possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
Those that have in ground sprinkler systems should drain them and
cover above ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
&&
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