EJAE delivers inspiring Golden Globes 2026 speech after 'Golden' wins Best Original Song
Photo: Reuters
EJAE delivered an emotional and reflective acceptance speech at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards after “Golden” became the first K-pop song to win Best Original Song, Motion Picture.
The award was presented on Sunday, January 11, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, where “Golden,” from the film KPop Demon Hunters, was recognised for its global impact.
The song is performed by HUNTR/X, comprising EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, with music by Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Park Hong Jun, and lyrics by Kim Eun-Jae and Mark Sonnenblick.
In her acceptance speech, EJAE, whose full name is Kim Eun-Jae, spoke candidly about her personal journey in the music industry, reflecting on years of rejection before finding success as a songwriter. She shared that she had worked “tirelessly for 10 years” pursuing a career as a K-pop idol, only to be told that her “voice wasn’t good enough.”
"When I was a little girl I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream: to become a KPop idol. And I was rejected. I leaned on songs and music to get through it, so now I'm here as a singer and a songwriter. It's a dream come true to be part of a song that's helping… pic.twitter.com/G0LMsDHdg2
“So I leaned on song and music to get through it and now I’m here as a singer-songwriter,” she said. “It’s a dream come true to be part of a song that’s helping other girls, other boys and everyone of all ages to get through their hardships and accept themselves.”
EJAE dedicated the award to those who had faced similar setbacks, adding, “This award goes to people who had doors closed on them. I can confidently say rejection is redirection. It’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”
Released as part of the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, “Golden” exceeded expectations in 2025, spending eight weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The success marked a breakout year for HUNTR/X, whose members later described the achievement as a defining moment in their careers.