EJAE: How a Rejected K-Pop Trainee Made Music History

Turned Rejection Into Her Golden Success

EJAE

KPop Demon Hunters is more than a blockbuster—it is a story of resilience, reinvention, and artistic belief. Since its release on Netflix, the animated feature has become the streamer’s most-watched film of all time and shattered music records along the way. The film also made history as the first to land four songs simultaneously in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, with “Golden” becoming the longest-running number 1 by a girl group in the 21st century.

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans, the film centers on K-pop girl group Huntr/x—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—who secretly live as demon hunters. Balancing superstardom with supernatural battles, they face a rival boy band made up of demons while racing to create a final seal to banish evil forever. Their song “Golden” is not only a chart-topping anthem but also a narrative weapon, meant to form the Golden Honmoon that could end the demon threat once and for all.

At the heart of this phenomenon is EJAE, the K-pop singer, songwriter, and producer whose journey mirrors the film’s themes. Written alongside Emmy-nominated composer Mark Sonnenblick, “Golden” is now a frontrunner for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. After hearing EJAE’s early demos, the filmmakers cast her as Rumi’s singing voice, anchoring the character in emotional truth.

EJAE’s success did not come easily. She entered SM Entertainment as a K-pop trainee at just 11 years old and spent more than a decade chasing an idol dream. In 2017, she was dropped as a singer, a rejection that could have ended her career. Instead, it became the beginning of a new path. She attended songwriting camps, explored the underground SoundCloud scene, and began creating beats and melodies that reflected her authentic voice.

Her breakthrough came when she wrote “Hello,” followed soon after by “Psycho,” released by Red Velvet—only the fifth song she had ever written. Songwriting gave her something performing never fully did: freedom. With a naturally low, husky voice that once felt like a liability, she found confidence behind the scenes, shaping songs for others and discovering that storytelling through music felt like home.

EJAE: How a Rejected K-Pop Trainee Made Music History

That evolution accelerated during the pandemic, when EJAE deepened her skills in vocal production, mixing, and sound design. Those tools proved vital when longtime collaborator Daniel Rojas brought her into KPop Demon Hunters. Working closely with Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans, EJAE helped create the musical blueprint that ultimately got the film greenlit, ensuring each song advanced both character and plot.

As Rumi’s singing voice, EJAE infused the character with her own lived experience. “Golden” is both hopeful and bittersweet—an anti-victory song about striving for perfection while hiding deep insecurities. It reflects the painful truth that the more people suppress their flaws, the more those inner demons grow.

Beyond awards and chart dominance, EJAE hopes the film’s success will inspire other Asian women to believe in their creative power. By stepping into the spotlight after years behind the scenes, she is challenging stereotypes and encouraging young creators to see rejection not as an ending, but as a redirection.

EJAE’s journey shows that rejection can be the forge that shapes greatness. KPop Demon Hunters and “Golden” stand as proof that when artists embrace who they truly are, setbacks can transform into the most powerful successes of all.

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