Golden is more than just a song—EJAE channels years of inner struggle into both its lyrics and haunting melody. Her long journey from overlooked trainee to full-fledged composer shaped a powerful story of healing, identity, and artistic freedom. With bilingual creativity and deep cultural insight, she bridges Korean and Western pop worlds through her music.
EJAE Steps Into a New Chapter With “Golden”
EJAE joined the K-Pop Demon Hunters project in late 2020. Composer Daniel Rojas recommended her for the role. Soon after, she began collaborating with executive producer Ian Eisendrath and THEBLACKLABEL, known for working with BLACKPINK.
The project was unlike anything she had done before. She had to create songs based only on story outlines and imagined characters. Each song went through countless versions. Some were set aside or delayed. One track alone went through 57 demo versions before it finally reached completion.
Inspiration Drawn From K-pop Icons and Harsh Realities
EJAE’s musical approach for the fictional girl group HUNTR/X was inspired by BLACKPINK and aespa. For the boy group YOUR IDOL, she recalled troubling scenes she had witnessed near the SM Entertainment building. Fans had thrown trash at female trainees, exposing the darker side of idol culture.
She noticed parallels between obsessive fandom and religious idolatry. That led her to revisit spiritual music from her childhood, like church hymns and EXO’s “MAMA.” These sounds helped her shape bold, emotional songs that felt both modern and timeless.
“Golden” Reflects What EJAE Endured and Overcame
The track “Golden” holds deep personal meaning for EJAE. She remembers crying while recording it. During her trainee years, she struggled with the pressure to appear flawless. Later, as a composer, she often felt invisible behind famous names.
Writing and singing this song helped her connect with the story’s main character, Rumi. Through that connection, she found healing. When director Maggie Kang asked for intense high notes, EJAE didn’t expect to sing them herself. She took on the vocal part in 2023 and gave the song her whole heart.
Cultural Duality Shapes How EJAE Writes and Creates
Spending ten years as a trainee once felt like failure. But now, she sees it as fuel for her growth. EJAE speaks both Korean and English fluently. She understands both American and Korean cultures deeply.
This dual awareness helped her write lyrics that blended two languages naturally. It also allowed her to work seamlessly across borders. She could switch between creative environments without losing authenticity or clarity.
“Golden” Helped EJAE Confront Her Insecurities and Find Her Voice
Even now, EJAE feels uneasy hearing her voice on platforms like TikTok. Her voice used to be a source of deep insecurity. She feared people wouldn’t like it. That doubt held her back for years.
But things are changing. Critics in the U.S. have responded warmly to her music. Because she faced so many setbacks, the praise still feels surreal. Her mother often said, “Words become reality.” That inspired EJAE to write a song like “Golden.” She hopes to one day win a Grammy and show the world that Asian musicians can succeed at the highest level of American music.
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Yes, Golden reflects deep parts of EJAE’s own life, including her struggles as a trainee and challenges as a composer. The emotions and lyrics in the song come directly from her real experiences with pressure, self-doubt, and healing through music.
Can’t believe EJAE trained for 10 years at SM and never debuted. Her talent is insane, what were they thinking? But she bounced back from all that hardship and is now a global songwriter selling bangers to SM! That’s incredible, huge respect to her.