EJAE delivered one of the most heartfelt moments of the Golden Globes ceremony after “Golden,” the breakout anthem from Netflix’s animated smash KPop Demon Hunters, won best original song.
Fighting back tears onstage at the Beverly Hilton, EJAE accepted the award alongside co-songwriters Mark Sonnenblick and Lee Hee-joon, turning the spotlight into a moment of resilience, representation and self-acceptance.
“When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years with one dream, to become a K-pop idol,” EJAE said. “I was rejected and disappointed, told that my voice wasn’t good enough.”
Her words resonated deeply with audiences, especially queer fans and creatives who see their own struggles reflected in her journey. EJAE emphasized that “Golden” is more than just a hit song, it’s a message of survival and empowerment.
“I’m so glad to be part of a song that is helping other girls, other queens and everyone of all ages get through their hardships and accept themselves,” she said.
After Sonnenblick thanked the teams at Netflix and Sony Animation, EJAE dedicated the win to anyone who has ever been shut out or told no. “Rejection is redirection,” she said. “Never give up.” She closed by quoting lyrics from the song: “It’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”
The Golden Globe win caps off a banner awards season for KPop Demon Hunters. Just one week earlier, the film picked up best animated feature and best song for “Golden” at the Critics Choice Awards. The song has also become a chart phenomenon, dominating streaming platforms and earning widespread acclaim.
Other nominees in the best original song category included “Dream as One” from Avatar: Fire and Ash, “I Lied to You” from Sinners, “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” from Wicked: For Good, and “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams.
EJAE has previously spoken about how her bilingual background shaped the music in KPop Demon Hunters. Incorporating Korean lyrics was a priority for co-director Maggie Kang, ensuring the film honored its cultural roots while speaking to a global audience.
The film’s success has also been celebrated by its cast. Rei Ami, the singing voice of Zoey, has highlighted how meaningful the recognition has been for women of color in the industry. “We’re often told we have to work twice as hard to receive the same recognition,” she said in a previous interview. “Coming together and creating something that resonates with the world has been incredibly powerful.”
KPop Demon Hunters earned three Golden Globe nominations overall, including best animated film, cinematic and box office achievement, and best original song. Since debuting on Netflix in June, it has become the streamer’s most popular movie of all time, holding the No. 1 spot for weeks. Three of its original tracks, “Golden,” “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop,” have all landed on the Billboard Hot 100.
The film’s impact even extended beyond streaming. Netflix brought a sing-along version of the movie to theaters for special fan events, where it topped the box office despite being widely available online.
For EJAE, however, the Golden Globe win was about something far more personal. Her message was clear, especially to queer fans, creatives and dreamers watching at home: Keep going. Your moment to shine may arrive when you least expect it.
