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The 2026 Oscars in Los Angeles saw “KPop Demon Hunters” clinching two prestigious awards, although their celebration was unexpectedly interrupted during both acceptance speeches. This Netflix original animated musical fantasy film was recognized with an Oscar for Best Original Song, thanks to the hit track “Golden,” performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. Additionally, it took home the award for Best Animated Feature.
During the award for Best Original Song, Ejae began her heartfelt thank-yous, but was soon cut short as the orchestra began to play the cut-off music, preventing other cast members from sharing their gratitude. Despite Ejae’s earnest requests for more time, the music persisted, and the lights were dimmed, bringing the moment to an abrupt end.
Earlier in the ceremony, a similar situation unfolded when the film was honored as the Best Animated Feature. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, along with producer Michelle L.M. Wong, stepped up to accept the award, only to face the same truncated response from the ceremony’s organizers.
Despite the singer’s pleas to give them more time, the music continued — followed by the lights getting shut off.
A similar situation unfolded earlier in the ceremony when “KPop Demon Hunters” was named Best Animated Feature; directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, alongside producer Michelle L.M. Wong, accepted the prize.
The cut-off music began playing before the trio was done speaking, but it quickly quieted down so they could finish.
“And for those of you who look like me, I’m so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this. But it is here, and that means that the next generations don’t have to go longing,” Kang, who was born in South Korea, said.
Appelhans also noted that movies have the power to “connect us as humans across cultures and borders.”
He added, “I just want to take a moment to say to all the young filmmakers, artists, musicians in all corners of the globe: Tell your story, sing in your voice. I promise you the world is waiting.”
Though fans were elated over the evening’s victories, many were upset the stars were interrupted.
“it was very disrespectful what they did to the producers of kpop demon hunters at the oscars let them give the speech…. having said that i’m glad they won,” one of many critics posted on X.
“That cutoff music during the kpop demon hunters speech was a lil rude #Oscars,” someone else echoed, with a third observing, “them trying to cut the kpop demon hunter speech short while amy madigan was up there forever #Oscars.”
Another dissenter argued, “Got time to make these horrid jokes but not time for Kpop Demon Hunters to say their speech….#oscars.”
“please let the man finish his speech… this can’t be the way to celebrate such big cultural phenomenon,” yet another X user wrote, with someone else adding, “no im sorry im still raging about how they cut off that guys speech over the golden kpop demon hunters win that was just unkind #oscars.”
One netizen went so far as to claim that the “KPop Demon Hunters” victors were “given less time than every other winner,” calling the move “absolutely disrespectful” while demanding the awards showrunners issue “an apology.”