Oscars controversy: kpop hit 'golden' starved of acceptance speech
Oscars night took an unexpected turn as the Academy Awards abruptly cut off songwriter Yu Han Lee's acceptance speech for KPop group Demon Hunters' win of Best Original Song for their hit track, 'Golden.' The decision sparked immediate backlash from fans and ignited a debate about the Oscars' handling of the ceremony.
K-pop anthem 'golden' silenced after best original song win
Demon Hunters, the K-Pop group behind the chart-topping anthem 'Golden,' claimed the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars. The song also secured the Best Animated Feature Film award for the film of the same name, making it a significant night for the group and their creative team. However, the celebration was marred when Lee, the songwriter, was muted and cut off mid-speech after a brief thank you. The Oscars orchestra reportedly played over the microphone, effectively ending his remarks.
Social media exploded with criticism, with fans accusing the Academy of disrespect. "Absolute disrespect and disgraceful to the creatives behind the biggest song of the year," one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Others offered sardonic takes, suggesting the interruption was necessary to accommodate a Burger King advertisement. The incident has fueled a wider conversation about the Oscars' priorities and treatment of artists.
Lee was eventually allowed to complete his acceptance speech in the press room, where he thanked his family, IDO members, and Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix, the companies behind the hit animated film. The controversy comes just days after the announcement of a sequel to 'KPop Demon Hunters,' signaling the cultural impact of the film and its music.
The Oscars ceremony wasn't without other noteworthy moments, including a surprise appearance by a Baby Yoda figure and a record-tying seven award wins for various projects. But the 'Golden' incident overshadows these achievements, leaving a bitter taste for many in the K-Pop and music communities.
The Academy's decision raises serious questions about the balance between ceremony and artistic recognition. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly a moment of triumph can be tarnished by perceived disrespect.