How did ‘Golden’ go from rejection anthem to Golden Globes gold?
Nahhh, who let “Golden” go THAT HARD at the Golden Globes! This isn’t just a win. This is a historic redemption arc with main character energy exploding in all directions.
KPop Demon Hunters was, of course, the ‘it’ movie, but the song was exploding everywhere. Like, we are talking about a movie moment happening in real life. Cue the music. Cry in 4K. Let the confetti fall.
Because KPop Demon Hunters, aka the most iconic, most TikTok-ed animated film of 2025, just ate at the Globes. Not only did it win Best Animated Feature, but it also straight-up snatched Best Original Song for “Golden”, the track that had us all ugly-crying, playlist-looping, and screaming in our bedrooms. And guess who got up there to accept it? Who else but EJAE? The woman. The myth. The vocal cord legend. And she came with the speech of the year.
“I was rejected for 10 years,” she said, voice shaking, mascara probably fighting for its life. “They told me my voice wasn’t good enough.” What were those people even thinking? You do you, EJAE. The way the room went dead silent, and then everyone cried? You could feel the vindication. EJAE wasn’t just accepting a trophy; she was obliterating a decade of “no’s” with one giant “WATCH ME.” And now, she is part of a song that is helping other girls, other queens, and everyone of all ages realise they are built for more.
But let’s talk facts too: KPop Demon Hunters didn’t just win… it dominated. The movie has been Netflix’s most-streamed film ever. Like, beat-the-records, top-the-charts, drop-the-mic-level numbers. And “Golden”? It’s been sitting on the Billboard Hot 100 since forever. It also just won at the Critics’ Choice Awards and bagged three Grammy noms, including Song of the Year. You heard us. They’d better build EJAE a monument.
And yes, the co-director Maggie Kang made history too, as she became the first Asian woman to win Best Animated Feature. “We wanted to make girls look at how we actually are,” she said. “Strong. Weird. Hungry. A little thirsty.” ICONIC. These ladies were here to slay.
Also, a quick shoutout to the sing-along theatre versions that hit screens even after the Netflix drop. That’s how much this movie hit. People left their houses. For a movie. In this economy.
So yeah. “Golden” isn’t just a song. It’s a fightback, a glow-up. A whole thesis on self-worth. And EJAE stood there, in front of Hollywood’s biggest names, with tears in her eyes and a mic in her hand, telling every kid who has ever felt invisible: you are not too late. You are not too weird. You are just early.
You wanted a fairy tale? This one starts with rejection and ends with the loudest applause at the Globes. “Golden” didn’t just win. It gave us a moment. It’s a win for every little girl out there who dreams of doing something big.
Now go play it again. Louder this time.