KPop Demon Hunters’ song “Golden” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars, while the Netflix animated film also secured the prize for Best Animated Feature. However, the ceremony’s handling of the songwriters’ acceptance speech drew significant criticism.
The film’s directors, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, delivered full acceptance speeches for Best Animated Feature. In contrast, after lead performer EJAE briefly expressed gratitude for the song award, several co-songwriters—Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park—were cut off mid-speech. Lee began reading a prepared statement but was signaled off stage by loud music. The group’s subsequent gestures to continue were not acknowledged by production.
Observers noted that EJAE’s remarks were brief compared to the extended time allotted for other winners and pre-produced comedy skits earlier in the broadcast, including a segment with the cast of Bridesmaids. This prompted online ridicule over the ceremony’s time management and perceived disrespect toward the non-English-speaking recipients.
The win for “Golden” adds to a awards season sweep for KPop Demon Hunters and the song, which also earned honors at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. The incident has reignited discussion about representation and equitable treatment for international artists at major award shows.
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