The song “Golden” from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars, as the film also secured the prize for Best Animated Feature. However, the ceremony’s handling of the songwriters’ acceptance speech drew significant criticism after they were cut off while attempting to speak.
The award for “Golden” was presented to songwriters EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park. Following emotional acceptance speeches from the film’s directors, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, EJAE took the stage to represent the songwriting team. In her brief remarks, she spoke about the personal significance of K-pop recognition, stating, “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop… I’m so proud. And I realise the song, this award is not about success, it’s about resilience.”
When Yu Han Lee then approached the microphone to read a prepared statement, orchestral music abruptly began playing, signaling the group to leave the stage. The songwriters briefly gestured in an attempt to continue but were not permitted to finish. This occurred despite earlier in the ceremony allocating time for comedic skits, including a lengthy segment with the cast of Bridesmaids.
The decision prompted widespread ridicule on social media, where observers noted the short duration of EJAE’s speech compared to other winners and questioned the Oscars’ time management. Many felt the cutoff was a misallocation of broadcast time, particularly for a milestone win representing K-pop and Asian creators on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
KPop Demon Hunters has been a dominant force this awards season, also winning at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. The film’s dual Oscar victories mark a significant achievement for Netflix and for representation in animation. The incident has reignited discussion about the Academy Awards’ production protocols and the consistent challenge of honoring all recipients equitably during the live broadcast.
