The backlash over the Golden Oscar win began almost immediately after the song made Academy Awards history on March 15. Golden became the first K-pop track ever to win Best Original Song, but the celebration was overshadowed when one of its co-writers was cut off by the orchestra during the acceptance speech.
The moment unfolded at the Dolby Theatre as Ejae and six fellow songwriters, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park, took the stage. What should have been a landmark ending quickly turned into one of the night’s most criticised moments.
Ejae opened the speech in tears and thanked the Academy for what she called an “insane award.” She said people once made fun of her for liking K-pop, but now everyone was singing the song and its Korean lyrics.
"Golden" became the first K-pop track to ever win the Oscar for Best Original Song, but the moment was slightly tarnished when one of the song's writers was cut off mid-speech. Link in bio for more. pic.twitter.com/VtFXqYNWfv
— E! News (@enews) March 16, 2026She then said the win was not just about success, but about resilience. After thanking her family, fiancé, manager, the cast of Kpop Demon Hunters, Netflix and Sony Animation, she turned to see whether any of her co-writers wanted to speak.
Golden Oscar Win Backlash Builds After Orchestra Cuts Speech Short
One co-writer stepped to the microphone, holding a piece of paper, and began, “I would like to thank,” before the orchestra started playing. That music signalled the end of the team’s allotted time, and the winners were ushered offstage as the broadcast cut to a commercial break.
Mark Sonnenblick appeared visibly frustrated; he jumped up and down and seemed to mouth “come on” as the group was moved along.
The reaction online was immediate. Users on X criticised the ceremony for cutting short a group that had just made history, with many arguing the winners deserved a few more seconds to finish their moment.
A Landmark Night for Kpop Demon Hunters
Despite the abrupt ending, the night was still a major one for K-pop Demon Hunters. Earlier in the ceremony, the film had already won Best Animated Feature.
During that speech, co-writer and director Maggie Kang delivered an emotional message. She apologised that it had taken so long for people who looked like her to see themselves in a film like this, then said the next generation would not have to keep longing.
K-Pop Demon Hunters songwriting crew get speech cut at #Oscars after making history winning Original Song pic.twitter.com/g7WekvTpau
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 16, 2026Earlier in the broadcast, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami also performed live on Golden. It was one of only two songs performed during the ceremony, alongside I Lied to You from Sinners.
That performance was a triumph. Yet the acceptance speech, through no fault of the winners, ended on a note that many viewers felt did not match the scale of the achievement
