Appearing on KBS Cool FM’s “Lee Eun Ji’s Music Plaza” on October 13, Ejae expressed deep gratitude for the extraordinary global success of the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters and its record-breaking soundtrack. The OST “Golden” not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks, but also made Ejae a rising name in both K-pop and global music circles.
Ejae, a Korean-American artist currently based in the United States, revealed plans to release her first solo single, “In Another World,” on October 24 and will return to Korea for promotional activities, including a press conference and an appearance on tvN. “You block quiz.”
“I have wanted to return to Korea for so long,” he said. “It’s great to finally greet the Korean fans in person. I wish I could come earlier.” The musician admitted that she barely sleeps three to four hours a night due to her busy schedule, but added this “Korea feels like home” as he spent about 15 years living there.
During the show, Ejae revealed that she was an SM Entertainment trainee from 2003 to 2015, training to become an idol before changing paths. “I was a trainee for about 12 years. It wasn’t easy, especially during my teenage years, but I learned discipline and hard work. That experience shaped the way I compose today, I always think about choreography when I write songs.” he explained.
Ejae confessed that she has completely abandoned her dream of becoming a singer. “Singing was my old dream. I decided to focus on songwriting instead and had no intention of debuting as a singer. So when this opportunity arose, it truly felt like destiny. Everything in life happens for a reason.”
Discuss KPop Demon HuntersEjae shared, “I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of it. I’ve always loved animation, and while there are many great works coming from Japan and China, there wasn’t one that truly represented Korea. That made me even more determined to join.”
The song “Golden,” known for its powerful high notes, was specifically written that way, Ejae said. “It’s not a song meant for a human singer but for a character. The soaring notes were necessary to capture Rumi’s desperation. The pressure was real for both of us, for her as a character and for me as a singer.”
Ejae’s emotional live performance of “Golden” on NBC “Tonight’s Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” it has also become a hot topic. “I actually lost my voice that day. I was hyperventilating from nerves, but I managed to finish the show,” he recalled.
Before his success with KPop Demon HuntersEjae had already made a name for herself as a K-pop hitmaker, composing for artists such as aespa, Red Velvet, NMIXX and KARD. He revealed that Red Velvet’s “Psycho” remains one of his favorite creations. “It was my first SM track for the songwriting field and only the fifth or sixth song I’ve ever written. I was going through a tough long-distance relationship at the time and the song came from that emotional place,” he said.
As he prepares for his solo debut, Ejae described his new single as “a calm and reflective song, perfect to listen to before bed or while taking a walk.” His long-term dream is to win a Grammy for songwriting and continue to experiment with all genres.
Sources: Daum
