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EJAE Makes History with Golden Globe Win for 'Golden'

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

EJAE, co-writer and performer of "Golden," won Best Original Song at the 2026 Golden Globes.
She became the first Korean-American to win in this category.
In her speech, she described a decade-long struggle to become a K-pop idol.
The song, featured in Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, has topped charts for 28 weeks and earned five Grammy nominations.
The film won Best Motion Picture – Animated.

History

Historical Context

The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, began in 2002, transforming global pop culture with the rise of K-pop groups like BTS, which sold over 20 million albums. This cultural shift culminated in 2023 when EJAE became the first Korean-American to win the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, highlighting the increasing acceptance of diverse musical talents in mainstream media.

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Story summary

EJAE, co-writer and performer of "Golden," won Best Original Song at the 2026 Golden Globes.
She became the first Korean-American to win in this category.
In her speech, she described a decade-long struggle to become a K-pop idol.
The song, featured in Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, has topped charts for 28 weeks and earned five Grammy nominations.
The film won Best Motion Picture – Animated.

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