The team behind KPop Demon Hunters experienced both triumph and frustration at the 2026 Academy Awards after winning Best Original Song for their hit track “Golden.” While the victory marked a major milestone for the animated film and its creators, the celebration was interrupted when the winners were suddenly cut off during their acceptance speech on live television.
As the group took the stage to accept the Oscar, emotions were running high. “Golden” had already made history by becoming the first K-pop song to win in the Best Original Song category. But just as multiple members of the songwriting team began speaking, the orchestra started playing them off, forcing them to leave the stage before they could finish their remarks. The moment quickly sparked criticism from viewers, many of whom described it as disrespectful and poorly handled.
Fans React to the “Rude” Oscars Cut-Off
The abrupt interruption did not go unnoticed online. Social media users were quick to express anger over the way the KPop Demon Hunters team was treated during what should have been a joyful, career-defining moment. Some viewers pointed out that audience members inside the venue could reportedly be heard booing as the winners were cut short.nMany fans felt the Academy failed to give the creators enough time to properly acknowledge the people behind the song’s success. Since “Golden” carried such cultural significance—not only as an Oscar winner, but as a groundbreaking moment for K-pop on one of Hollywood’s biggest stages—the cut-off felt especially disappointing. The backlash added another layer of attention to an already unforgettable win.
The Songwriters Get a Second Chance Backstage
Fortunately, the story did not end there. After leaving the stage, the team was given an opportunity to continue their acceptance speech backstage in the press room. There, the songwriters were finally able to share the thanks and reflections they were denied during the live broadcast. Yu-Han Lee, who had barely started speaking before being interrupted, used the backstage moment to thank his family, collaborators, and fellow creatives. EJAE, one of the key voices and writers behind the music, also spoke emotionally about how much the recognition meant to the team. She emphasized how hard everyone had worked and described the project as a deeply collaborative effort. She also took time to praise fellow vocalists Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, explaining that she hadn’t been able to mention them during the onstage speech because they were cut off too quickly. Her comments highlighted how many people contributed to the success of “Golden” and how important it was for the team to acknowledge one another properly.
More Than Just a Song
Co-composer Mark Sonnenblick also reflected on the deeper meaning behind KPop Demon Hunters. He said the film carries a message about overcoming fear and learning to trust people who may seem different. That message, he suggested, is part of what made the project so powerful. The Oscar win for “Golden” was not the only major victory for the film that night. KPop Demon Hunters also won Best Animated Feature, further cementing its place as one of the evening’s biggest success stories. Despite the awkward interruption, the backstage comments helped restore some dignity to the moment and reminded fans why the film has resonated so strongly around the world.
