EJAE Returns to Seoul: How 'Golden' Became First Female K-pop Song to Top Billboard Hot 100
Former SM trainee achieves historic Billboard success with Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack
SEOUL - Two months can change everything. EJAE stood before Korean media on October 15 at a press conference in Yongsan, no longer just a behind-the-scenes songwriter but the voice behind one of 2025's biggest global hits.
"I was just a composer two months ago," she said, still processing her transformation. "It's surreal to suddenly receive this much love."
Record-Breaking Chart Performance
"Golden," the lead single from Netflix's animated film KPop Demon Hunters, has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks-making HUNTR/X (the fictional group performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI) the first female K-pop act to reach No. 1 on the chart.
The achievement extends beyond gender barriers. The song ties as the eighth longest-ruling movie soundtrack hit in Billboard Hot 100 history and stands as the longest-running No. 1 by any animated group, surpassing The Archies' 1969 classic "Sugar, Sugar."
Why Korean Lyrics Mattered
For EJAE, incorporating Korean into "Golden" wasn't optional-it was essential.
"Showcasing Korean culture was the most important thing," she explained. "Everyone agreed we needed Korean lyrics in the chorus because that's what people remember."
The strategy worked. American audiences at concerts now sing along to "yeongwonhi ggaejil su eomneun" ("unbreakable forever"), the Korean phrase that anchors the song's climactic moment.
"Hearing Americans sing those words makes me incredibly proud," EJAE said.
The Impossible High Note
Music critics have fixated on "Golden's" vocal range-spanning three octaves and hitting an A5 note typically reserved for opera singers. EJAE laughed when asked about it.
"Why did I do that? The director wanted an unrealistic high note to express desperation and vulnerability. I pushed beyond my normal range, just like my character Rumi pushes herself."
The parallel wasn't accidental. Like Rumi, EJAE spent years hiding parts of herself that didn't fit industry standards.
Ten Years Without Debuting
From 2003 to 2011, EJAE trained at SM Entertainment, one of K-pop's most prestigious agencies. Despite nearly a decade of preparation, she never debuted.
"The most important lesson? Everything happens for a reason," she reflected. "Rejection hurt when I was younger, but those wounds help you grow. I didn't view it negatively. I kept thinking, 'I can just try again.'"
She credited her mother's advice: "Words become seeds. You have to say 'I can do it' to convince yourself."
That mindset shift transformed rejection into redirection. EJAE pivoted to songwriting, eventually crafting hits for Red Velvet, aespa, TWICE, and LE SSERAFIM.
Family Legacy
EJAE's resilience has roots. Her grandfather, Shin Young-kyun, appeared in 294 films and dominated Korean cinema in the 1960s and 70s.
"He always told me singing is acting-you must be completely immersed," she recalled. "Watching him work through hardships inspired me. He still tells me, 'You did well. Work harder.'"
The Making of a Phenomenon
"Golden" came together unexpectedly. "I got the track on my way to the dentist. A melody popped into my head immediately, so I recorded it on my phone," EJAE said.
The song arrived during a personally difficult period. "It was hopeful when I needed hope. Without realizing it, I put my feelings into it."
What's Next
EJAE's debut solo single "In Another World" drops October 24. She's also eyeing collaborations with aespa and BTS, particularly praising Jungkook's vocals.
But success hasn't changed her work ethic. "Small opportunities deserve 100% effort. That's why I got this chance. Work ethic matters-even details like meeting deadlines. People notice."
Before leaving for Los Angeles, she expressed one clear desire: returning to Korea before year's end. "My schedule is crazy now. But this film is about Korea, so Korea matters. I want to come back in December."
For someone who spent a decade waiting for her moment, EJAE now faces the opposite challenge-keeping up with opportunities that finally arrived.
The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack also reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming the first soundtrack since Disney's Encanto to top both the album and singles charts simultaneously.
