Why Only EJAE Won a Golden Globe: 'KPOP Demon Hunters' Star Forgets to Thank Co-Stars Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami: FULL SPEECH
EJAE just took home a big award!
The 34-year-old singer-songwriter just won for writing “Golden” from the massively popular KPop Demon Hunters, but fans quickly noted that REI AMI and Audrey Nuna, who also sing on the song, were not onstage to share the moment.
Keep reading to find out more…
The track was co-written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido and Teddy. This particular award is given to the songwriters behind the song, so Audrey and REI AMI – who also provided their voices for the fictional girl group HUNTR/X – would not be recipients.
EJAE tearfully spoke about her initial failed effort to become a K-pop idol, and how she found solace in music and songwriting and eventually found her own way to success.
And while she did shout out “our voice” in the speech (“Thank you Golden Globes for accepting my voice and our voice”) and to directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, she did not specifically name the stars who also sang on the song.
Here’s EJAE‘s full heartfelt speech from the Golden Globes 2025:
“Thank you so much to Golden Globes for this incredible honor. I’m just so honored to be alongside the other nominees. You guys are incredible. Who knows, a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fill 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.
It’s a dream come true to be part of a song that is helping other girls, other boys, and everyone from all ages to get through their hardship and to accept themselves. So thank you, Golden Globes, for accepting my voice and our voice.
I just want to say thank you to my family, my fiancee, I love you, my mom, I love you, friends, and to the amazing co-writers here, 24IDO and Mark, also Teddy, he’s in Korea, but thank you.”
She continued, “Thank you to obviously Maggie and Chris. And I just want to say this award goes to people who’ve had their doors closed at them, in that I can confidently say rejection is redirection. And so never give up. And you know, it’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.”
All three of the singers teamed up to hit the red carpet together ahead of the ceremony.
Be sure to tune in for the Golden Globes at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on CBS. The show is hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser for the second year in a row, and honors the best in both movies and television. Check out the full list of nominations and see all of the celebrities who will present throughout the night!