'Disrespectful and racist': Oscars slammed after cutting off historic K-pop win

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is facing intense backlash online, with viewers calling the ceremony “racist,” “disrespectful,” and “shameful” after a historic K-pop win was abruptly cut short mid-speech at the Academy Awards 2026.

The moment came as Golden, a track from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, won Best Original Song — marking the first time a K-pop track has taken home the award. The win also made EJAE, Ido, and Teddy Park among the first South Koreans to be recognized in the category, alongside composers Kwak Jung-gyu, Nam Hee-dong, and Seo Jung-hoon of The Black Label.

The song had already set the tone earlier in the night with a performance rooted in Korean culture, featuring pansori-style vocals, traditional drumming, and distinct Korean aesthetics. For many, the win represented a major cultural milestone.

But what followed quickly shifted the narrative.

As Korean American singer EJAE, 24, began her acceptance speech with an emotional “Thank you so much to the Academy,” the team prepared to share their moment on stage. However, as Yu Han Lee stepped forward to speak, the play-off music began almost immediately, drowning out his words.

Within moments, the situation escalated further — microphones were muted, stage lights were cut, and the broadcast moved toward a commercial break, effectively ending the speech before the winners could fully address the audience.

The abrupt cutoff visibly impacted those on stage. Screenwriter Mark Sonnenblick appeared frustrated, reacting in disbelief and reportedly jumping in agitation as the moment was cut short. What is traditionally considered the pinnacle moment of a creative career instead turned into a rushed exit.

Viewers at home were quick to react, with clips of the moment spreading widely across social media. Many criticized the handling of the situation, questioning why a historic win was not given adequate time.

“Not only cut short, but lights cut and everything. Pretty degrading. Almost like a ‘you had your moment, now we need to move on.’ Disrespectful,” one commented.

“Tells you a lot about who these shows are for. Seems like none of them can avoid controversy this season,” another reminded people. While another added, “Another reason I don't respect the Oscars”.

Some reactions went further, framing the incident within a broader conversation about representation and whether Asian voices are given equal space on global stages.

Unable to complete their speech during the live broadcast, the team later shared their gratitude backstage instead.

Despite the controversy, KPop Demon Hunters also went on to win Best Animated Feature, marking a significant milestone for Korean and AAPI representation. Still, for many viewers, a moment that should have been historic felt abruptly — and visibly — cut short.