The song “Golden”, the soundtrack for the Netflix animated film “K-pop Warriors”, won the award for Best Original Song at the 2026 Golden Globes. Upon receiving the trophy, Korean-American singer-songwriter Ejae, who provided the voice for the character Rumi in the production, revealed a remarkable story of resilience. She faced an entire decade of closed doors in the K-pop industry before finally seeing her work recognized at one of the world’s most prestigious entertainment ceremonies, transforming her rejection into artistic redemption.
The award, presented in January 2026, crowned not only the quality of the track but also an inspiring personal journey. The song, which has already completed an impressive 20 weeks at the top of the Billboard Global chart, competed with cinema giants and became an anthem of self-acceptance. Thus, the victory symbolizes much more than a trophy: it is the validation of an artist who persevered against all odds and now uses her platform to motivate others.
The Strength Behind the Success
Before shining as a performer, Ejae had already built a solid career behind the scenes as a songwriter for major K-pop names, including hits like Red Velvet’s “Psycho” and Aespa’s “Drama”. However, her dream of being on stage always encountered barriers. In her emotional speech, she recounted hearing for years that her voice “wasn’t good enough,” a criticism that led her to take even more refuge in songwriting. Thanks to this persistence, she now stands as a living example that rejection can be a necessary redirection to the right destiny.
In addition to Ejae’s talent, “Golden” features the voices of Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, other artists who gained prominence through the film. The song won a highly competitive category, which included music from blockbusters like “Avatar: Fire and Ashes” and “Wicked: Part 2”. On the other hand, the film “K-pop Warriors” didn’t stop there and also secured the award for Best Animated Feature, surpassing acclaimed Pixar productions. Thus, the Netflix production establishes itself as a major winner of the awards season, showcasing the power of narratives that unite music and animation.
Therefore, Ejae’s story and the success of “Golden” resonate as a powerful message at the start of 2026. She concluded her thank-you speech with direct advice: “Never give up.” Thus, her achievement goes beyond entertainment, serving as inspiration for anyone, in Brazil or around the world, facing their own periods of difficulty and doubt. The global recognition proves that talent, combined with resilience, can indeed find its moment to shine.
