From a heartbreaking breakup song turned global anthem to legendary filmmaker Jack Fisk’s lifetime honor, the Tribute to the Arts night became a star-powered celebration of craft, emotion, and cinematic magic.
“KPop Demon Hunters” is officially having a dream awards season run — and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
The Netflix animated phenomenon added yet another glittering feather to its cap as its chart-topping song “Golden” won Best Original Song at the prestigious American Cinematheque Tribute to the Arts ceremony. The win cements the film’s growing reputation as one of the most emotionally resonant animated projects in recent years — blending K-pop energy, fantasy storytelling, and deeply personal songwriting into one unstoppable cultural wave.
Songwriters EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick accepted the honor on stage, but it was EJAE’s raw, heartfelt speech that instantly became the night’s most talked-about moment.
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EJAE’s “Beautiful Accident” That Changed Everything
Fighting back tears, EJAE called “Golden” a “beautiful accident” — a song that emerged from heartbreak and unexpectedly transformed her life.
“I thought I was gonna be a K-pop idol, but that didn’t happen,” she confessed to the audience. In her mid-20s, after letting go of her dream of becoming a singer, EJAE found herself collaborating with K-pop producers who encouraged her to write instead. What started as a simple songwriting experiment turned into emotional therapy.
Her first major track was inspired by a painful breakup. “What’s so weird was, after I was done, it weirdly helped me deal with the breakup better than talking to my girlfriends,” she shared. “Every melody, every word, had intent and expressed my emotion to its purest form.”
That emotional honesty later shaped “Golden,” written for the character Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters. While Rumi may be fictional, EJAE said the emotional core was deeply real. “We all know what it feels like to crave hope when everything feels hopeless,” she said, adding that she cried while recording the demo because the song mirrored a dark phase in her own life.
Since the film’s explosive success, EJAE has been flooded with messages from fans across the world — many saying the song helped them through personal struggles. One message stuck with her the most: “Your song ‘Golden’ saved me.”
“That’s exactly why you write,” she said, drawing a standing ovation.
Already crowned with Golden Globe and Critics Choice wins, “Golden” is fast becoming one of the most celebrated original songs in recent film history — a rare crossover hit that resonates emotionally beyond the screen.
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Jack Fisk Receives Career Achievement Honor
While “Golden” ruled the music spotlight, legendary production designer Jack Fisk was honored with the Career Achievement Award, presented lovingly by his wife, Oscar-winning actress Sissy Spacek.
Fisk, whose iconic filmography includes Badlands, Mulholland Drive, The Revenant, and Marty Supreme, took the audience on a nostalgic journey back to the early days of his career. He fondly recalled moving to Los Angeles in 1970 with his close friend, filmmaker David Lynch, in a rented U-Haul truck.
Fresh out of art school, Fisk landed a humble job holding traffic on a low-budget film set for just $100 a week. Curious about the filmmaking process, he soon discovered the art department — and found his calling.
“That became my goal — to get into the Art Department,” he said, crediting curiosity and persistence for shaping his career. He later worked with Lynch again on The Straight Story, cementing one of cinema’s most admired creative friendships.
Fisk also shared the story of how he met Spacek through director Terrence Malick during the making of Badlands. “My life was changed forever,” he said, reflecting on the film that shaped both his personal and professional journey.
Despite never winning an Oscar, Fisk expressed zero regrets after five decades in the industry. Quoting Lynch, he concluded with: “The Art Life — it’s a great life.”
Craft Artists Finally Get Their Spotlight
Another major talking point of the night was the growing recognition of behind-the-scenes talent.
Casting director Francine Maisler, honored for Sinners, thanked the organization for acknowledging casting as a pivotal storytelling force. Her win arrives at a historic moment, as the Academy Awards will introduce a casting category for the first time next month — a long-awaited milestone for the industry.
Editor Andy Jurgensen, recognized for One Battle After Another, praised director Paul Thomas Anderson for encouraging creative risks. “He taught me to go against convention, embrace imperfections, and know when not to cut,” Jurgensen said — a philosophy that resonated strongly with filmmakers in the room.
Tribute to the Crafts: Full Winners List
The evening also celebrated excellence across every cinematic discipline. Here are the honorees:
- Casting: Sinners – Francine Maisler (Warner Bros.)
- Cinematography: Train Dreams – Adolpho Veloso (Netflix)
- Choreography: Wicked: For Good – Christopher Scott (Universal)
- Costume Design: Hedda – Lindsay Pugh (Amazon MGM)
- Editing: One Battle After Another – Andy Jurgensen (Warner Bros.)
- Hair & Makeup: Frankenstein – Mike Hill, Cliona Furey, Jordan Samuel (Netflix)
- Production Design: Frankenstein – Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau, Christopher Geggie (Netflix)
- Score: Sinners – Ludwig Göransson (Warner Bros.)
- Song: “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
- Sound: F1 – Apple Original Films
- Stunts: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – Paramount
- Trailer: Weapons – Warner Bros.
- Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash – 20th Century Studios
“KPop Demon Hunters” Continues Its Cultural Takeover
With every new trophy, KPop Demon Hunters continues to blur the lines between animation, pop culture, and emotional storytelling. What started as a stylish fantasy musical has evolved into a full-blown fan movement — powered by viral music, powerful themes, and authentic artistry.
“Golden” in particular has become the emotional heartbeat of the film — a reminder that sometimes the most impactful art is born from pain, vulnerability, and unexpected second chances.
As awards season momentum builds, industry insiders believe this could be just the beginning for the franchise and its breakout creators.
One thing is clear: KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just winning awards — it’s winning hearts worldwide.
Stay tuned to UltaPaltaKhabar.com for more exclusive updates, award buzz, celebrity news, and behind-the-scenes stories shaping global entertainment.
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