Audrey Nuna, Ejae and REI AMI of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” at the VMAs.
Photo by Amanda Moses
Sunday marked a truly golden moment as Sony Pictures Animation’s K-Pop Demon Hunters took home two major honors at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song for its chart-topping hit, “Golden.”
The wins were historic for Asian representation in Hollywood, spotlighting director Maggie Kang and singer-songwriter Ejae, both of whom have spoken candidly about overcoming industry barriers.
Tearfully accepting the award for Best Original Song, Ejae reflected on her long and often painful journey in the music industry.
“When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream to become a K-pop idol, and I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn’t good enough, and so I leaned on songs and music to get through it. Now, I’m here as a singer and songwriter. It’s a dream come true to be part of all those other boys and everyone of all ages to get through their hardship and to accept themselves. So, thank you, Golden Globes, for accepting my voice, our voice,” Ejae said.
Kim Eun-Jae, known as Ejae, is a Korean American singer-songwriter, who spent her adolescence training under SM Entertainment as a K-pop trainee. After more than a decade of practice, contracts, and intense preparation, she was ultimately told she did not fit vocally—and later that she was too old to debut. The experience, she has said, exposed the unforgiving and often fleeting nature of the K-pop idol system.
Despite the heartbreak, the 34-year-old artist never fell out of love with music. She pivoted to songwriting and composition, eventually penning fan-favorite tracks for some of K-pop’s biggest acts, including Red Velvet, aespa, TWICE, and LE SSERAFIM.
“This award goes to people who’ve had doors closed on them,” Ejae said. “Rejection is redirection. Never give up—it’s never too late to shine like you were born to.”
K-Pop Demon Hunters blends Korean folklore with modern K-pop culture, following a fictional girl group, HUNTR/X, as they battle creatures from the underworld while balancing fame and identity. The film has become Netflix’s most-watched animated original of all time, amassing over 500 million streams worldwide.
“Thank you, Golden Globes, and to everyone who believed that a movie so deeply rooted in Korean culture could resonate with a global audience. Through this film, we really wanted to depict female characters the way that we know women, which is really strong and bold, really silly and weird, and really hungry for food, and sometimes a little thirsty,” Maggie Kang said upon receiving the award for Best Animated Feature Film.
The impact extended beyond streaming. HUNTR/X made history as the first female K-pop artists to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to “Golden.”
“Animation is a truly collaborative medium,” said Chris Appelhans, who co-directed the film, during a K-Pop Demon Hunters lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building last year. “It’s their voices, literally, that brought Rumi, Mira, and Zoey to life and put these songs on top of the charts. I’m so grateful to the fans and to these incredible women who made this film such a beacon of connection and joy.”
The film stars Arden Cho as Rumi, May Hong as Mira, and Ji-young Yoo as Zoey, with HUNTR/X vocals provided by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. Cast and contributors alike have emphasized the film’s cultural significance and its role in amplifying Asian voices on a global stage.
Kevin Woo, one of the singers behind the rival group Saja Boys, said the film reflects how far K-pop has come in breaking barriers for Asian artists.
“I’m back home in the U.S., and as a Korean American, continuing my career here feels surreal,” Woo told amNewYork in December. “Seeing the love K-pop receives worldwide, and being part of bridging two cultures through music, film, and animation, is such an honor.”
With its sweeping Golden Globe victories and growing cultural impact, many anticipate K-Pop Demon Hunters will continue its award-season dominance.
