Golden Globes 2026: KPop Demon Hunters singer EJAE recalls 10 years of rejection to become K-Pop idol while accepting award. Shares sequel update

The wait is finally over! Golden, the breakout hit song from Netflix’s animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters, has won the Best Original Song award at the Golden Globes 2026. The song triumphed over other strong nominees, including Wicked: For Good, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Sinners, and Train Dreams. While accepting the award, singer EJAE opened up about her long journey and expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her along the way.

KPop Demon Hunters wins big at Golden Globes 2026

The award was accepted on stage by songwriters EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, and Lee Hee-joon, while the vocals on the track featured EJAE, REI AMI, and Audrey Nuna, giving the song a unique global appeal. Golden has not only won accolades but also achieved historic chart success.




It became the first female K-pop song to top the Billboard Hot 100, holding the No. 1 spot for six consecutive weeks. The track also dominated the Billboard Global 200 chart, remaining at the top for ten weeks, cementing its place as a global phenomenon.

EJAE talks about her struggles

During her emotional acceptance speech, EJAE opened up about the struggles she faced on her path to stardom. “When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to chase one dream, to become a K-pop idol. I faced rejection and disappointment, thinking my voice wasn’t good enough,” she shared. She added that being part of a song like Golden allows her to inspire other young women and fans worldwide to overcome hardships and embrace their true selves.

EJAE also dedicated the award to those who have experienced repeated rejection, emphasizing that setbacks can often be a form of “redirection.” Quoting lyrics from the song, she encouraged the audience, saying, “It’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”



The success of KPop Demon Hunters goes beyond its soundtrack. The film became the biggest-selling soundtrack of 2025, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Soundtrack chart and earning Double Platinum certification. The animated feature has also achieved phenomenal streaming numbers, with over 500 million views worldwide since its premiere in July 2025, making it Netflix’s most popular film to date.

In addition to the Golden Globe win, Golden and the soundtrack have received five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year. The film itself has also garnered multiple nominations and awards, including recognition from the New York Film Critics Circle for Best Animated Feature and being named Time magazine’s Breakthrough of the Year.

KPop Demon Hunters tells the story of K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who secretly battle supernatural threats while juggling their public personas. The voice cast features a stellar lineup, including Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Ahn Hyo-seop, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Byung Hun Lee. Stay tuned!