EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami are feeling “Golden” on Friday morning. They have received three GRAMMY nominations for the popular song “Golden” from the Netflix smash hit “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The three are the singing voices of the fictional K-pop band Huntr/x in the animated musical.
“We were just in shock,” explained EJAE, who seemed to be still taken aback by the nods when talking to Melvin Robert on the KTLA 5 Morning News.
The trio learned of their nominations while watching the livestream together via Zoom.
When they began their journey with the movie, they had no idea it would be a massive success.
“Not at all,” EJAE said.
“Not to this degree, I don’t think any of us expected (this), because there are records on this film and the soundtrack that we didn’t even know existed to shatter,” Nuna explained. “So I think that it’s a whole other stratosphere that we couldn’t have imagined.”
The film, which was released on the streamer in August, has become a huge cultural phenomenon.
Ami believes it’s the story’s main message that has resonated with fans.
“It’s basically a story grounded in hope, and it’s a human experience that we all are very familiar with- shame, hiding parts of ourselves, choosing between worlds, so that we have a core message elevated, amplified by this incredible music and artistry,” she explained. “I think it was just a recipe for, like, an explosive reaction in the world, and that’s exactly.”
Hope is a theme EJAE knows all too well.
As a preteen, she was a trainee for SM Entertainment with the group Girls’ Generation. However, when she was ready for her debut, it didn’t happen. Now, years later, she’s finally receiving her flowers.
“I think that’s the first thing I thought of when we heard the nomination,” she explained, getting teary-eyed. “All the hard work and all-nighters.”
“A rejection is redirection is truly a sentence that really applies,” she continued.
With the movie being so popular, there are multiple reports that a sequel is coming, but not until 2029. However, the singers remained mum on the subject.
“We are receiving this information at the same time as everybody else,” Nuna said.
As they get ready for the GRAMMY Awards, they’re being kept busy. They’re slated to perform at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Right now, they’re working on their outfits.
“Someone was saying we dress up as Thanksgiving foods,” Nuna laughed.
“Who said that?” EJAE asked.
“I’ll be a turkey,” Ami chimed in.
The 2026 GRAMMYs take place on Feb. 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.