16/08/2025
For 33-year-old Korean American singer-songwriter Ejae (Kim Eun-jae), the dream was once crystal clear — debut as a K-pop idol after training 10 years at SM Entertainment. But the debut call never came.
Instead of walking away from music, she carved a new path — one that led her to co-write “Golden,” the powerhouse anthem from Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. Not only is she the co-writer of the song, but also the singing voice of the film’s lead character, Rumi.
🎵 Golden’s Achievements
#1 on Billboard Hot 100
#1 on Billboard Global 200 & Global Excl. US
#1 on the UK Official Singles Chart (first K-pop track to do so since Psy’s Gangnam Style in 2012)
Submitted for awards consideration, including the Grammys
For Ejae, winning a Grammy is more than a personal dream — it’s about representation.
> “It would be a message to every Asian American girl who’s ever felt impostor syndrome in this industry.”
Her songwriting journey began unexpectedly — from contributing melodies for fun to penning Red Velvet’s 2019 hit “Psycho” during her first SM songwriting camp. That success opened the door to KPop Demon Hunters, where she infused not only pop power but also Korean traditions like pansori and Arirang into the soundtrack (Hunter’s Mantra).
Ejae relates deeply to Rumi’s story — perfectionism, hidden flaws, relentless drive — and hopes her work inspires others to keep chasing their dreams.
> “Your voice matters. Your stories are worth telling. Don’t give up.”
💛 From trainee rooms to topping global charts, Ejae proves that sometimes the roadblocks in our journey are just detours to something greater.
💬 Who else is rooting for Golden to bring home a Grammy?
