Last night, on 15th March 2026, the 98th Academy Awards delivered a historic moment: KPop Demon Hunters took home Best Animated Feature and, for the first time, Best Original Song for its global anthem “Golden.”
K-pop fans, animation lovers, and global pop culture enthusiasts celebrated the moment as a dream come true. A K-pop song on Hollywood’s biggest stage? Finally, recognition for millions of fans worldwide.
However, the celebration quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night, leaving fans frustrated with the way the organisers handled the situation.
An Emotional Speech of K-pop Demon Hunters Gets Abruptly Cut Off
When the team behind it, including Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park stepped on stage, they were representing their artistry, their culture, and the millions of fans who have supported them.
Ejae took the lead, opening the speech with heartfelt emotion and gratitude for the win:
“Thank you so much to the Academy for this insane award. Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now, everyone’s singing our song and all the Korean lyrics. I’m so proud.”
She continued, her voice full of gratitude:
“And I realize the song, this award, is not about success, it’s about resilience. And I’m just so grateful to our team. And I just want to thank my mom, my dad, my brother, my fiancé, my manager, of course, for always staying with me.”
But just as one of her co-writers stepped up to add their thanks, paper in hand, and to continue the speech:
“I would like to thank you,”
Suddenly, the orchestra music kicked in the middle of the ‘thank you speech’, and abruptly ending their time on stage.
Sonnenblick tried to signal that a team member was still speaking, but the broadcast quickly moved to a commercial break.
The interruption left the moment stunted on live TV, leaving fans watching live shocked and frustrated.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS wins the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Congratulations to Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/snCgJSgepU
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 16, 2026
Despite the abrupt interruption, the “Golden” team didn’t let it steal their night. Backstage, they finished their speeches, thanking collaborators, families, and fans for their support.
Their resilience and humility transformed the disappointing broadcast moment into one of pride, perseverance, and gratitude, showing that their achievement could not be silenced.
Why This Moment Matters
This wasn’t just another Oscars win. It was a historic milestone for K-pop, global animation, and representation in Hollywood.
While the cut-off sparked outrage, the celebration online shows one thing clearly: fans, creators, and cultures long overlooked are finally taking center stage.
Source: Oscars, TheAcademy
