The song "Golden" by Kpop Demon Hunters has earned the Best Original Song award at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. This marks a significant achievement for the K-pop group, as it is their first nomination and win at the prestigious event.
The track, which has topped Billboard charts globally, was recognized for its powerful message and musical composition. The award was accepted by singer Ejae and her co-writers, highlighting a moment of triumph for the K-pop industry on an international stage.
Key Takeaways
- Kpop Demon Hunters' song "Golden" won Best Original Song at the 2026 Golden Globes.
- This is the group's first Golden Globe nomination and victory.
- Ejae, the singer, shared an emotional speech about overcoming rejection.
- The song triumphed over tracks by Miley Cyrus, Nick Cave, and others.
"Golden" Takes Top Honors
The winning song, "Golden," was a standout in a competitive category. It surpassed other notable tracks such as Miley Cyrus's "Dream as One" from Avatar: Fire and Ash, Raphael Saadiq's "I Lied to You" from Sinners, and two songs from Stephen Schwartz's Wicked: For Good – "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble." Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner's "Train Dreams" was also among the nominees.
The songwriting team behind "Golden" includes Ejae, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, and Mark Sonnenblick. Their collective effort led to this historic win, bringing significant attention to the K-pop genre in mainstream Western awards.
Award Fact
"Golden" by Kpop Demon Hunters is the first song from a K-pop group to win Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards.
Ejae's Emotional Acceptance Speech
Singer Ejae, visibly emotional, accepted the award alongside her co-writers. Presenters Charli XCX and Joe Keery announced the victory. Her speech resonated with many, as she spoke about her journey and the song's impact.
"Thank you so much to Golden Globes for this incredible honor. I’m just so honored to be alongside the other nominees," Ejae stated, her voice trembling. "When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for ten years to fill one dream: to become a K-pop idol. I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn’t good enough. So I wrote songs and music to get through it."
She continued, emphasizing the personal significance of the win. "So now I’m here as a singer and a songwriter and it’s a dream come true to be part of a song that is helping other girls, other boys, and everyone from all ages to get through their hardships and accept themselves. So thank you, Golden Globes, for accepting my voice and our voice."
Ejae concluded her speech with a powerful message: "I can confidently say rejection is redirection." This sentiment quickly spread online, inspiring fans and aspiring artists alike.
Other Music Awards and Presenters
Beyond Best Original Song, the evening also celebrated other musical achievements. Ludwig Göransson won Best Original Score for his work on the film Sinners. Göransson's score was chosen over compositions by Alexandre Desplat for Frankenstein, Jonny Greenwood for One Battle After Another, Kangding Ray for Sirāt, Max Richter for Hamnet, and Hans Zimmer for F1.
Previous Winners
The 2025 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score went to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for Challengers. In the same year, Camille and Clément Ducol won Best Original Song for "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez.
Several other prominent musicians graced the stage as presenters throughout the night. These included global superstar Miley Cyrus, Blackpink's Lisa, and the iconic Snoop Dogg. Their presence added to the star-studded nature of the event, celebrating the diverse talent within the music and film industries.
The Impact of K-Pop on Global Music
Kpop Demon Hunters' win at the Golden Globes underscores the growing influence of K-pop on the global music scene. What was once a niche genre has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, consistently breaking records and garnering international acclaim.
The success of groups like Kpop Demon Hunters reflects a broader trend of increased cross-cultural appreciation for music. Their ability to connect with audiences worldwide, as evidenced by Billboard chart performance and now a Golden Globe win, signifies a shift in how global entertainment recognizes diverse musical forms.
The song "Golden" itself, with its message of self-acceptance and perseverance, resonates deeply with listeners. This universal appeal, combined with its high-quality production and strong vocal performance, likely contributed to its success among the Golden Globe voters.
The Journey to International Acclaim
For many K-pop artists, the path to global recognition is long and arduous. Ejae's personal story of facing rejection for a decade before finding success as both a singer and songwriter highlights the dedication required.
The Golden Globes, traditionally dominated by Western artists and productions, now increasingly acknowledge talent from around the world. This inclusivity opens doors for more diverse voices and narratives to be celebrated on a global platform.
The win for "Golden" is not just a victory for Kpop Demon Hunters but also for the entire K-pop industry, paving the way for future artists to achieve similar international recognition.