oscars 2026 Awards ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ winners rudely interrupted during Oscars 2026 acceptance speeches By Bernie Zilio Published March 16, 2026, 12:01 a.m. ET “KPop Demon Hunters” won two awards during Sunday’s 2026 Oscars in Los Angeles, but the winners were abruptly interrupted during both acceptance speeches.
The Netflix original animated musical fantasy film received the Oscar for Best Original Song for the hit track “Golden” — sung by Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — as well as best animated feature.
While Ejae was able to give her emotional thank-yous, the cut-off music began playing before the rest of the cast could contribute.
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.”
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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.
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.”
