The 2026 Oscars were not without controversy. Some viewers were particularly unhappy with how certain award recipients were treated on stage.
Keep reading to learn more.
The Netflix animated film K‑Pop Demon Hunters was one of last year’s biggest hits. Its song “Golden” was nominated for Best Score at the 2026 Oscars — and won.
Although the song has been a massive success, its win was overshadowed by how viewers felt the recipients were treated on stage, with their acceptance speech being cut short.
Kim Eun‑jae (known as Ejae) delivered an emotional speech about growing up loving K‑Pop and being judged for it; now, not only is K‑Pop globally popular, but she had just won an Oscar because of it.
When songwriter Yu‑Han Lee began speaking, his portion was abruptly cut off. Ejae motioned for more time, but was ignored as the ceremony moved on. One person wrote on X, “The Academy took one last swipe at Demon Hunters. The only group to get cut off completely and abruptly. Just like how Sony treated them too.”
Another viewer added, “Barely giving them time for their speech, playing music over them, turning out the lights and going to commercial. NO ONE else tonight got that mistreatment. Honestly sly and distasteful. Cutting off a man whose first language isn’t English too, mind you!!!!”
Someone else noted that it was unfair others were given more time while something “historic” was cut short, writing, “They should have cut down on some of the presenters’ ‘jokes’ to give history‑making moments like these the light they deserve.”
The songwriter was later able to thank those he wanted to acknowledge in the Press Room, saying, “I would like to thank our families, and 24, and our fellow IDO members. This is an incredible honor.”
The movie also won Best Animated Feature Film, where co‑writer and co‑director Maggie Kang said in her acceptance speech, “For those of you who look like me, I’m so sorry that it took so long to see us in a movie like this, but it is here. That means the next generations don’t have to go longing.”
She concluded with, “This is for Korea and Koreans everywhere.”
The winners of “Golden” made history, as the song is the first K‑Pop track to win Best Score at the Oscars.
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