South Korean artist EJAE has transitioned from K-pop trainee to a leading singer and songwriter in the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters”, now streaming on Netflix.
The film which has become a cultural phenomenon features the inspiring track “Golden”, performed by EJAE.
“I love how ‘Golden’ is hopeful song that resonates globally”, EJAE told Reuters. “It feels like we’re connected together”.
At 33, EJAE was signed by SM Entertainment as a teenager, where she honed her skills in singing , dancing, and performing. Before stepping into the spotlight, she worked behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer for popular K-pop groups like Aespa, Twice and Red Velvet.
Debuting on June 20, “Kpop Demon Hunters” quickly garnered acclaim from both critics and audiences. The film follows a trio of demon hunters who use K-pop music to enchant fans and battle demons.
A sing along version of the film topped the domestic box office marking a historic first for Netflix with a estimated $18million earned in the US and Canada surpassing the horror film “Weapons”.
EJAE voices the lead character, Rumi who grapples with her identity and fears acceptance from her friends Mira and Zoey voiced by May Hong and Ji-young Yoo, respectively. The film is produced by Sony Pictures Animation.
Arden Cho, who dubbed Rumi’s voice expressed surprise at audience reactions to the film’s music with some believing the singers were AI due to their impressive vocal quality. “No, we’re real. We’re here” Cho stated.
The film’s sound track has dominated the charts this summer, achieving over 3billion global streams, The breakout hit “Golden” reached # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the sound track itself is the highest charting of 2025 so far.
To create the “Golden” which is generating Grammy Award buzz, EJAE pushed her vocal limits. “The directors want Rumi to belt out high notes and I found my range while singing ‘Golden’ ”, she shared.
She further stated that with the blend of actions and music KPop Demon Hunters continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
