“It didn’t feel real. I wondered if I was dreaming,” confessed composer and singer Ejae during her first radio appearance on “Gayo Plaza” by KBS CoolFMwhere he shared the backstory behind the creation of the viral hit “Golden,” the OST for the Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters.
The artist joined the project during its early development phase, before the script was finalized and even before the studio officially signed on. Recalling those intense first days, Ejae said, “We were only five people then. We had to create soundscapes for crucial scenes – it was overwhelming but exciting.”
Ejae, who also lent her voice to the character of Rumi (a member of the demon hunter idol group “Huntr/x”), revealed that her voice was a source of self-doubt. “I was insecure about my voice” he admitted. “But hearing people say they loved it gave me the confidence to really sing my heart out.”
The result was more than just a song: it was a deeply personal piece. “When I recorded the demo for the first time, I cried a little,” he said. “It was a difficult time in my life and this song made me feel like healing. It’s incredibly heartwarming to know he’s doing the same for others.”
Ejae explained that “Golden” was not written for a human artist but rather for the story’s fictional character, Rumi. “That’s why it had to be vocally challenging,” he explained. “To express Rumi’s desperation, I purposely included high notes. It wasn’t easy: she felt the pressure, and so did I.”
Despite the difficulties, “Golden” struck a chord with fans around the world, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. Ejae was stunned. “We never imagined it would get this far. Honestly, it felt like a dream. We all worked countless nights on this, so in our hearts it’s always been No. 1. But to see it recognized on Billboard? It’s beyond words.”
From underground producer to emerging artist, Ejae’s journey with KPop Demon Hunters is a powerful example of the passion, vulnerability and global reach of Korean creative storytelling.
Sources: born
