During her early years, Ejae, whose real name is Kim Eun Jae, was often criticized for her low-pitched, raspy voice, which did not fit the refined and uniform expectations of the K-pop industry. Today, however, that same voice has become the defining element of “Golden,” the standout track from the animated film Kpop Demon Hunterselevating her to international stardom.
The Korean-American artist co-wrote and performed the song alongside Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “Looking back on my internship days at SM Entertainment so far, I believe everything happened at the right time for a reason.”
In an industry that values perfection and uniformity, Ejae’s distinctiveness initially became a barrier. Her years of training were not only dedicated to honing skills, but also to confronting doubts, both from her surroundings and from herself.
Instead of changing to fit expectations, Ejae gradually embraced his individuality. She moved away from the traditional idol path and towards songwriting and behind-the-scenes work. This decision became a turning point, allowing her to develop her craft and establish a unique musical identity.
In Kpop Demon HuntersEjae provided the singing voice for Rumi, a member of the fictional girl group Huntrix. In addition to “Golden,” he also contributed to the arrangement and production of several key songs in the film.
When asked about performing the song live, particularly its challenging high notes, the 34-year-old admitted: “Of course it’s a pressure. Since it’s an animated film, the character’s emotions matter more. If I had written it for a singer in real life, I might have approached it differently.”
He explained that the song’s extreme vocal range was designed to reflect the character’s emotional intensity. “It needed that almost desperate escalation of tone to convey the feeling. I didn’t expect it would be me performing live. Rumi feels the pressure, and so do I,” he added.
Ejae’s biggest success came with “Golden,” which quickly became a global phenomenon. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for several weeks – an amazing feat for a track deeply rooted in K-pop and featuring Korean lyrics.
The success didn’t stop there. “Golden” won best original song at the 98th Academy Awards, marking a turning point that transformed Ejae from a relatively unknown singer-songwriter into a leading figure in global music.
On stage, he emotionally shared, “When I was younger, they made fun of me for loving K-pop. Now the whole world sings songs in Korean. I’m really proud.”
The Oscar performance of “Golden” also attracted widespread attention for incorporating traditional Korean cultural elements such as folk instruments, pansori and hanbok-inspired choreography. Hollywood stars such as Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow were seen enjoying the stage, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a K-pop concert.
With the success of “Golden”, Kpop Demon Hunters won two Oscars, including Best Animated Film and Best Original Song, reinforcing the global influence of Korean culture.
The song itself mirrors Ejae’s personal journey: its powerful high notes and emotional progression symbolize her transformation from insecurity to self-confidence.
In addition to the awards, Ejae has also achieved considerable commercial success. According to Luminate, she has become the most streamed K-pop artist in the United States in 2025, with approximately 2.1 billion on-demand streams. Many of the most streamed artists of the year were linked to Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack, highlighting the enormous impact of the project.
Throughout his creative process, Ejae emphasized the importance of preserving Korean identity. He intentionally included Korean lyrics, considering them essential. In his opinion, K-pop should not lose its cultural essence when expanding globally, but instead find a balance between authenticity and accessibility.
Today, Ejae is seen as a representative figure of a new wave of K-pop creativity, where the lines between domestic and global markets continue to blur. He has expressed interest in collaborating with artists such as aespa and BTS in the future.
Despite his successes, Ejae maintains a grounded perspective. He believes the most important qualities for young artists are dedication and perseverance, even when opportunities seem small or motivation fades.
In her personal life, Ejae shares a deep bond with her boyfriend Sam Kim. The two first met during a songwriting session in 2017 and quickly became partners on both a professional and personal level.
Sam inspired many of Ejae’s songs, including “Psycho” and “In Another World”, while also actively participating in songwriting, recording and supporting her during performance pressures. After taking time to reflect on their relationship, the couple got engaged in 2023 and are planning to marry in the fall of 2026. Throughout Ejae’s rise, Sam has remained a constant source of support, helping to shape his musical journey.
Sources: kenh14
