KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 -- Winning an Emmy Award is a milestone many can only dream of, but for Malaysian composer Joy Ngiaw, it marks the culmination of years of perseverance and passion for storytelling through music.

Ngiaw made history as the first Malaysian to win a 2026 Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program for her work on WondLa (2024), specifically the second-season finale Chapter 14: Heart.

The achievement, celebrated in New York City, has sparked national pride and brought widespread attention to her journey.

From Pahang roots to a life shaped by music and Mandopop

Born in Pahang, Ngiaw moved to Shanghai at the age of six but remained closely connected to Malays...