EJAE shared an emotional message about perseverance as she took to the stage at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night, telling the audience it is “never too late to shine.”
The ceremony took place at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, where the K pop singer songwriter, whose real name is Kim Eun jae, joined her co writers Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, and Teddy to accept the award for Best Original Song Motion Picture for Golden.
The upbeat track Golden is performed by EJAE alongside Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, who appear as the fictional K pop girl group Huntrix in the animated Netflix success KPop Demon Hunters.
While speaking to the room, EJAE reflected on her journey and explained that she never stopped chasing her ambitions, even after facing repeated setbacks.
"When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfil one dream, to become a K-pop idol, and I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn't good enough and so I leaned on songs and music to get through it, so now I'm here as a singer and a songwriter," she said. "It's a dream come true to be part of a song that's helping other girls and other boys and everyone of all ages to get through their hardships, to accept themselves."
As she wrapped up her speech, EJAE said the award was for “people who have had doors closed on them.”
"I can confidently say rejection is redirection. So never give up, it's never too late to shine like you were born to be," the 34 year old added, nodding to the lyrics of the winning song.
Golden triumphed over strong competition in the category, beating Miley Cyrus’s Dream as One from the Avatar Fire and Ash soundtrack, I Lied to You from Sinners, Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s Train Dreams, and Stephen Schwartz’s The Girl in the Bubble from Wicked For Good.
The night proved especially successful for KPop Demon Hunters, which also picked up the award for Best Motion Picture Animated at the ceremony.
