‘KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” Team Cut Off At Oscars: They React

There was a slight disturbance in the Honmoon for KPop Demon Hunters songwriting team Sunday night at the 98th Oscars.

While accepting their trophies after winning Best Original Song for the film’s record-breaking hit “Golden,” the songwriting team — which consists of EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park — were cut off mid-acceptance speech.

Considering that “Golden” marks the first time in Academy history a K-pop track had won, the recipients of the award had a lot to say. That is until they were played off as soon as Lee took to the microphone cutting to an abrupt commercial break. The moment elicited gasps among the backstage pool of reporters. 

During their visit backstage, EJAE elaborated on what the team wasn’t able to finish in their televised speech.

“We feel very grateful and very honored. We all worked so hard and this is such a collaborative effort, we just need to thank our directors. They created a beautiful film. Everyone was a part of it and we are just so happy that the hard work paid off.” the singer said.

Also, I needed to thank Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna onstage, but I didn’t get to because they just cut us off. They killed it with their singing and they’re just incredible people and I love them so much.” 

Lee also finished what he had to say backstage. “I would like to thank all our families, my fellow Idol members and Teddy Park. This is an incredible honor,” he said. 

Sonnenblick, who also didn’t get a chance to speak, added: “[I’d like to thank] my family, some of whom are here tonight, my husband, Isaac, who is here tonight. But also just to say everybody who worked on this movie, all the animators, it was a real collaboration across the board. It’s a movie where part of the movie is about looking at someone that you have been taught to hate and to fear and starting to trust, maybe even love them. And that’s part of what the movie is about.

“[The song lyrics are not] ‘I’m going up, up, up.’ It’s ‘We’re going up, up, up.’ And that’s part of the reason that we’re [here] right now. So, thanks to the fans too who have loved this movie and made it into what it is and the soundtrack.”

KPop Demon Hunters also took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature tonight.