At the 2026 Women in Music event, held at the Hollywood Palladium on Wednesday, April 29, the trio HUNTR/X—comprising Ejae, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna—received the prestigious Women of the Year honors.

Historic Recognition for HUNTR/X

The group accepted the award with a powerful and emotionally charged speech that deeply resonated with the audience. Their journey has been marked by breaking barriers and collecting awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for their hit track “Golden.” This made it the first K-pop song to ever win an Oscar.

“Golden” also won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammy Awards, marking another historic first for K-pop music. The event, hosted by Billboard, celebrated the achievements of women in the music industry.

Performance and Acceptance

Before their acceptance speech, HUNTR/X performed “Golden,” captivating the audience with their energy and artistry. The addictive song spent eight weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

A Message of Authenticity

Delivered primarily by Ejae, the acceptance speech was a raw and honest reflection on the challenges of being an Asian woman in a male-dominated industry. Ejae spoke about the lack of representation she experienced growing up in the United States.

She explained how this led her to pursue a career as a K-pop idol, but after that path didn’t work out, she initially felt defeated. Ejae found solace in songwriting, realizing that music itself doesn’t question identity. She emphasized that music only recognizes the truth of the artist.

“A woman’s power lies not in fitting in but in resilience and speaking her truth,” Ejae declared. She urged women to honor their voices, amplify their stories, and embrace their identities as a source of power.

Gratitude and Reflection

Rei Ami also took the stage, expressing her gratitude and acknowledging the emotional weight of the evening. She thanked her fellow honorees and the audience for the honor.

Rei Ami reflected on her journey since 2019, sharing that she never felt she fit into the expectations placed upon Korean-American women. She playfully illustrated this point by noting her boxing glove-shaped shoes.

She expressed how rewarding it was to represent a song from a film that affirms the importance of women showing up as their authentic selves. The group also thanked their mothers, their team at Republic Records, and their fans.