Lance Joseph Martinez

‘Rejection Is Redirection’: Ejae Gets Emotional as ‘Golden’ Wins Best Original Song at the Golden Globes

Article (news)

<p>The <strong>83rd Golden Globe Awards</strong> was filled with emotional and inspiring highlights, but one of the night’s most unforgettable moments came when <strong>EJAE</strong> won <strong>Best Original Song – Motion Picture</strong> for her track, <strong>“Golden.”</strong></p><p>The award-winning song was created for the hit Netflix animated film <strong><em>K-pop Demon Hunters</em> </strong>and was composed by EJAE alongside <strong>Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, </strong>and <strong>Teddy</strong>. The track features vocal performances by EJAE herself, joined by <strong>Audrey Nuna </strong>and <strong>Rei Ami</strong>, making the win a major celebration for the creative team behind the film’s music.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTZXyRGDjNg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A875981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>As EJAE took the stage to accept the prestigious award, emotions quickly overwhelmed her even before she could fully begin her speech. Fighting back tears, she shared, “Thank you so much to Golden Globes for this incredible honor. And I’m just so honored to be alongside the other nominees. You guys are incredible.”</p><p>“Golden” emerged victorious over a strong lineup of nominees, including <strong><em>Avatar: Fire and Ash’s</em></strong><strong></strong> <strong>“Dream as One,” </strong><strong><em>Sinners</em></strong>’ <strong>“I Lied to You,”</strong> <strong><em>Train Dreams’ </em></strong><strong>“Train Dreams,”</strong> and <strong><em>Wicked’s</em> “No Place Like Home” </strong>and <strong>“The Girl in the Bubble.”</strong></p><p>During her acceptance speech, EJAE opened up about her long and challenging journey in the music industry. Reflecting on her early dreams, she shared, “When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream, to become a K-pop idol. And I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn’t good enough.”</p><p>EJAE was referring to her early career, which began in 2003 when she became a trainee under <strong>SM Entertainment,</strong> one of South Korea’s top entertainment companies. Despite years of rigorous training and dedication, she found herself unable to debut, even as several girl groups were launched during her time with the company.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yebNIHKAC4A?si=DeOgPHkF5_XiWFLD" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>In 2011, EJAE made the difficult decision to step away from training to complete her education. She moved to the United States and enrolled at <strong>New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts</strong>,<strong> </strong>where she studied at the<strong> Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.</strong> She later earned her <strong>Bachelor of Fine Arts</strong> degree in 2014.</p><p>The following year, her contract with SM Entertainment was officially terminated, a moment EJAE previously described as the end of her dream of becoming a K-pop idol.</p><p>Despite the setback, EJAE explained how music became her refuge and source of strength. Continuing her speech, she said, “And so I leaned on songs and music to get through it. So now I’m here as a singer and a songwriter. And I’m so, it’s a dream come true to be part of a song that is helping other girls, other boys, and everyone of all ages to get through their hardship and to accept themselves.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768205687785ejae_k_1760981510_3747706994577817147_308203137.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ejae_k</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>She then expressed her gratitude to those who supported her throughout her journey, starting with the Golden Globes, followed by her collaborators and loved ones. “I just want to say thank you to my family, my fiancé, I love you, my mom, friends, and to the amazing co-writers here, 24 Ido and Mark, also Teddy, he’s in Korea, but thank you.”</p><p>Before leaving the stage, EJAE concluded with a powerful message, “And I just want to say this award goes to people who’ve had their doors closed at them in that I can confidently say rejection is redirection. And so never give up, and you know it’s never too late to shine like you were born to be.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Golden&quot; also won the Best Song at the 31st Critics&#x27; Choice Awards held last January 4. </p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQLbFqWjrzR/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A1279244%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@goldenglobes</strong></p>

<p>The 83rd Golden Globe Awards was filled with emotional and inspiring highlights, but one of the night’s most unforgettable moments came when EJAE won Best Original Song – Motion Picture for her track, “Golden.”</p>

The 83rd Golden Globe Awards was filled with emotional and inspiring highlights, but one of the night’s most unforgettable moments came when EJAE won Best Original Song – Motion Picture for her track, “Golden.”