Ejae, who performed the song “Golden” on the soundtrack of KPop Demon Hunters, is also the granddaughter of the late Shin Young-kyun, a legendary figure in Korean cinema. (Image from Ejae Instagram)a
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — When Korean American singer-songwriter Ejae first heard her voice soar through theaters in Netflix’s animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters, she didn’t imagine the soundtrack would take over the world.
But two months later, her song “Golden” had done the impossible — topping both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart for eight straight weeks, a first for any K-pop track.
“It still feels unreal,” Ejae said with a smile at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday. “Two months ago, I was just a composer. Suddenly, people all over the world are listening to my music. It feels strange — but also amazing.”
Ejae, who trained under SM Entertainment before carving her own path as a songwriter and performer, contributed several tracks to the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, including “Golden,” “How It’s Done,” “Takedown,” and “Your Idol.”
The film tells the story of a fictional K-pop girl group, Huntr/x, who channel their music to fight off evil spirits — a plotline that resonated deeply with her own artistic journey.
Singer-songwriter Ejae, known for her work on Netflix’s hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” is seen in this photo provided by Netflix. (Yonhap)
She revealed that “Golden,” the soaring anthem that became a cultural phenomenon, was born from her memories as a trainee struggling to fit in. “Back then, I tried so hard to hide my husky voice,” she recalled. “People said it was too low, too unfeminine. The trend favored clean, pure tones. So I kept trying to sound like someone else.”
In the film’s protagonist Rumi — a singer battling her own doubts and insecurities — Ejae saw herself. “I understood her completely,” she said softly. “That feeling of chasing your dream, of trying to be enough, no matter how many times you fall. I’ve been there.”
Now 33, Ejae looks back on those years of rejection with perspective. “It’s not easy to deal with failure when you’re young,” she said. “But pain makes you grow. Being rejected by SM wasn’t the end — it was just part of my path. Everything happens for a reason. The key is to keep going.”
Her perseverance has paid off spectacularly. Both KPop Demon Hunters and “Golden” have been submitted by Netflix for consideration in the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories at the 2026 Grammy Awards — a potential landmark moment for Korean artists in global pop.
Ejae doesn’t hide her ambition. “I really want to win a Grammy,” she said, laughing. “Not just for myself, but to show that Korean stories and voices can reach everyone.”
Asked about dream collaborations, her eyes lit up. “I’d love to work with aespa — I think our styles would blend beautifully,” she said. “And of course, BTS. They’re incredible artists. Jungkook, especially, has such an amazing voice.”
For Ejae, KPop Demon Hunters was more than a breakout hit. It was the sound of finding her own truth — a voice once told to stay quiet now echoing across the world.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)