"KPop Demon Hunters" Made History At The Golden Globes, And The Internet Is Loving Ejae's Speech
by Kelly Martinez · BuzzFeedUnless you've been living under a rock for the past year, there's no way you haven't heard of KPop Demon Hunters (2025). The hit Netflix film follows a K-Pop girl group called Huntrix, who lead double lives as demon hunters and compete against a rival boy band who are actually (gasp!) demons in disguise. Is it any wonder it's the most-watched Netflix film of all time?
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film's stacked cast includes Arden Cho (Rumi), Ji-young Yoo (Zoey), May Hong (Mira), Ahn Hyo-seop (Jinu), and more. Audrey Nuna, Ejae, and Rei Ami provide the singing voices of Mira, Rumi, and Zoey, respectively. Bonus: Daniel Dae Kim plays Healer Han!
The movie scored big at the Golden Globes last night, taking home Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Cue the fandom celebrations!
KPop Demon Hunters didn't *just* win — it made history! Maggie Kang became the first Asian woman to win Best Animated Feature, while Ejae (who co-wrote the song "Golden") became the first Korean-American to win Best Original Song. As an AAPI woman, these milestones feel LONG overdue.
Ejae took to the stage to deliver a powerful acceptance speech, where she opened up about the challenges she's faced in the industry. "When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream, to become a K-pop idol," she said. "I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn't good enough. So I leaned on songs and music to get through it."
"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 to accept themselves," the singer-songwriter added. "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."
I'm not crying, you're crying.
Watch her full speech below:
Needless to say, the internet is freaking out:
i get why ppl complain abt golden being performed over & over, but i think it’s easy to forget what the song represents esp to ejae - its a song that contains sm of her hopes & dreams & i’m happy she’s receiving the belated recognition she deserves 🥹pic.twitter.com/zrUHSVV5VR
— jax 🍛🪽 (@_jaxtaposition) January 12, 2026
“it’s never too late to shine like you were born to be” oh ejae i’m gonna cry https://t.co/7pk4BxFvuz
— nia (@reiamiz) January 12, 2026
“Rejection is re-direction. It’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”
I’m gonna learn to live by that quote from EJAE’s speech.
So happy to see all her hard work being paid off!! It’s well deserved! https://t.co/2u4jnmpReO
— 🖤🎙️𝙲𝚑𝚕𝚘𝚎 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚑𝚊𝚖🎙️🕸️ (@VampQueenVA) January 12, 2026
golden is going to get an oscar this is insane https://t.co/AkdA7Rhy4F
— chia (@julianmiflaco) January 12, 2026
They’re going up. It’s their moment.
Gonna be Golden.
This is what it sounds like.#KPOPDEMONHUNTERS has won the #GoldenGlobes for Best Animated Feature, showing the competition how it’s Done Done DONE!
Congratulations to the crew. pic.twitter.com/uZlAzpBLmZ
— 🎆MC the Toonster🎆 (@MToonster24) January 12, 2026