The night shimmered with historic energy as K-pop broke through the Hollywood glitter. Ejae and the songwriting team behind Demon Hunters’ global hit “Golden” clinched Best Original Song at the 2026 Golden Globes, marking a landmark first win in their careers.
The team—Ejae, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, and Mark Sonnenblick—topped a stacked list of nominees including Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner, Raphael Saadiq, and Ludwig Göransson. Their victory signals K-pop’s increasingly global influence and its serious recognition beyond traditional charts.
Onstage, Ejae was visibly overwhelmed, telling the audience:
“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. Now, being part of ‘Golden’ that helps people accept themselves is a dream come true.”
She closed her heartfelt speech with a line that’s already trending online: “Rejection is redirection.” If that doesn’t inspire a whole generation of artists, nothing will.
The Golden Globes didn’t stop at K-pop. Ludwig Göransson took home Best Original Score for Sinners, triumphing over Alexandre Desplat, Jonny Greenwood, Hans Zimmer, and others. Interestingly, the category was cut from the televised broadcast, sparking controversy among composers. Hans Zimmer called it “a little bit ignorant,” reminding the world that music isn’t just background—it’s the heartbeat of film.
The evening was also sprinkled with star-studded musical presenters: Charli XCX, Miley Cyrus, Blackpink’s Lisa, and Snoop Dogg all took the stage, blending pop, K-pop, and Hollywood glamour.
FAQ
Who wrote “Golden” that won the 2026 Golden Globe?
The songwriters are Ejae, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, and Mark Sonnenblick.
Which artists did “Golden” beat at the Golden Globes?
It beat Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner, Raphael Saadiq, and Ludwig Göransson.
What does this win mean for K-pop?
It cements K-pop’s global influence and shows the genre’s artistic credibility in mainstream Hollywood awards.