Ejae's Phenomenal Journey Continues: From "Golden" Success to Her Own Solo World

Ejae, the powerhouse Korean American artist behind "KPop Demon Hunters'" mega-hit "Golden," is officially stepping into the solo spotlight with her brand-new single, "In Another World," set to drop very soon. Get ready to dive deep into her inspiring journey!

TL;DR

Ejae, the voice of Rumi and composer of "Golden" from Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters," is releasing her debut solo single, "In Another World," on October 24.
"Golden" achieved massive global success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and becoming the first No. 1 for a female K-pop act.
Ejae shared personal insights into her SM Entertainment trainee days, her creative healing process, and her vision for K-pop's future on the global stage.

The Unstoppable "Golden" Anthem That Conquered Global Charts

If you've been anywhere near a screen in the past few months, you've definitely heard of "Golden." This track, the undeniable breakout hit from Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," hasn't just been popular — it's been a phenomenon. Ejae, the incredible Korean American singer-songwriter behind it all, voiced the film's heroine, Rumi, and composed the viral anthem, along with contributing to other standout songs like "How It's Done" and "Your Idol."

And when we say phenomenon, we mean it. "Golden" didn't just casually climb the charts; it absolutely dominated them. The song spent an astounding eight consecutive weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, marking a historic first for any female K-pop act. It also ruled the British Official Singles Chart Top 100 for eight weeks, smashing records for the genre. Globally, it topped the Billboard Global 200 and numerous other international charts, even earning a Double Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over two million units!

The film itself, "KPop Demon Hunters," released on Netflix on June 20, tells the thrilling story of a fictional K-pop girl group, Huntr/x (comprised of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami voicing the latter two), who moonlight as demon hunters battling the evil Saja Boys. The soundtrack was so impactful that it even topped the Billboard 200 album chart, making it the first soundtrack since Disney's "Encanto" to simultaneously hit No. 1 on both the album and singles charts. And if that wasn't enough, Netflix has officially submitted "Golden" for consideration in the prestigious Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Talk about a golden run!

Stepping Into Her Own Lyrical Landscape: The Promise of "In Another World"

Ejae's Phenomenal Journey Continues: From "Golden" Success to Her Own Solo World image 3

After all that incredible success, what's next for Ejae? Her very own debut solo single, that's what! Titled "In Another World," this new track is set to drop on October 24. Ejae describes it as a calm, gentle song – a refreshing contrast to the powerful "Golden." It's the kind of tune you can listen to while taking a walk and reflecting on your thoughts, making it a truly personal offering.

Ejae openly admitted that she "never really saw myself as an artist" before this whirlwind of recognition. However, the outpouring of love from fans who wanted to hear more of her music gave her the courage to step out from behind the composer's desk and into the spotlight.

"But after receiving so much love and hearing people say they wanted to hear more of my songs, I found the courage to release my own music," Ejae shared during a press conference in Seoul. "Writing songs is a form of therapy for me. ‘Golden’ gave me strength, and I believe that when it comes to deeply personal songs, I should be the one to sing them. ‘In Another World’ is one of those songs."

It's clear that this new single is more than just a song; it's a testament to her journey of self-discovery and embracing her voice as an artist.

From SM Entertainment Trainee to International Music Visionary

Ejae's Phenomenal Journey Continues: From "Golden" Success to Her Own Solo World image 4

Ejae's path to global recognition wasn't an overnight sprint; it was a decade-long marathon. For over ten years, from 2003 to 2011, she trained rigorously at SM Entertainment, one of K-pop's most prestigious agencies. Despite her dedication, she never debuted as an idol.

During her trainee days, Ejae often felt the pressure to conform, particularly regarding her voice. "My voice was considered unfeminine and too low, so I was criticized a lot," the 33-year-old artist recalled. "The trend at the time favored clean, pure voices, so I wanted to hide my husky tone." This personal struggle to overcome perceived weaknesses helped her deeply connect with Rumi, the perfectionist lead character in "KPop Demon Hunters."

However, Ejae views these past challenges not as setbacks, but as essential parts of her growth. She credits her resilient mindset to her mother’s advice: "Words become seeds. You have to say 'I can do it' to convince yourself." This philosophy, combined with the inspiration from her grandfather, the legendary Korean actor Shin Young-kyun, instilled in her a strong work ethic and the belief that "everything happens for a reason." Shin Young-kyun, who starred in 294 films, taught her that "singing is acting – you must be completely immersed."

Before her "Golden" explosion, Ejae honed her craft as a composer, writing hits for major K-pop groups like Red Velvet, aespa, TWICE, and LE SSERAFIM. She even initially envisioned "Golden" as a song for a real K-pop group, joking that if she hadn't sung it herself, fellow Korean American powerhouse Ailee would have done it perfectly (and Ailee even did a cover!). Her profound connection to music as a form of therapy, especially during a personally challenging period when she wrote "Golden," shines through in her heartfelt compositions.

Bridging Cultures Through Music: Ejae's Philosophy on K-Pop's Authentic Core

One of Ejae's core beliefs is the importance of K-pop staying true to its Korean roots, even as it embraces a global audience. This philosophy was a driving force behind "KPop Demon Hunters," where the decision was made to include Korean lyrics prominently in the songs, even for a largely American audience.

"K-pop is about showing Korean culture," she emphasized. "The language is beautiful, and the culture has so much personality. It's good to mix Western elements for global listeners, but the essence should always remain Korean. It's about fusion – but keeping the core intact."

The success of "Golden" perfectly illustrates this point. Audiences at sing-along events in the U.S., many of whom are not Korean, proudly sing along to the Korean chorus, especially the powerful line, "yeongwonhi ggaejil su eomneun" (meaning "unbreakable forever"). Ejae expressed immense pride in this, seeing it as a beautiful validation of her vision to share Korean culture through music.

Eerie Studio Encounters and Dream Collaborations with Music's Biggest Names

Beyond her musical talents and profound insights, Ejae also has a rather unique story about the making of "Golden." During a recording session, while troubleshooting a technical issue, she briefly saw a "tall dude with a flannel...a grunge ghost." While unsettling, her mother reminded her of a popular Korean myth: seeing a ghost or experiencing paranormal activity while recording a song is believed to be a sign that the track will become a major hit. Given "Golden's" astronomical success, it seems the myth holds true!

With her solo debut on the horizon, Ejae is also dreaming big about future collaborations. She's got her sights set on some of the biggest names in both K-pop and Western pop:

K-Pop Idols: aespa (believing their styles would match perfectly) and BTS, particularly praising Jungkook's amazing vocals and noting it would be an incredible honor.
Western Pop Stars: Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter, envisioning interesting fusions of K-pop elements with their sounds.
Huntr/x Groupmates: She also expressed a desire to work again with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the other vocalists from her fictional KPop Demon Hunters group, as well as other talented Korean American artists.

Beyond the New Single: What Awaits This Ascending Global Artist?

Ejae's journey from a behind-the-scenes composer to a globally recognized singer-songwriter is nothing short of inspiring. She's proved that talent, resilience, and a deep connection to her roots can create something truly special. Even with her newfound fame, her work ethic remains strong, emphasizing that "small opportunities deserve 100% effort."

As she gears up for the release of "In Another World" and plans her future, Ejae continues to express her desire to grow as a composer while bridging the gap between K-pop and American pop music. She also hopes to return to Korea before the year's end, highlighting her commitment to the country that is so central to her artistry and the success of "KPop Demon Hunters."

Ejae is clearly just getting started, and we can't wait to see what other incredible music she brings to our world, and perhaps, "In Another World" too!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ejae's Latest News

When is Ejae's debut solo single, "In Another World," officially releasing?

Ejae's new solo single, "In Another World," is set to be released on October 24.
What was Ejae's role in the highly successful "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack?

Ejae provided the singing voice for the main character Rumi and composed the record-breaking hit "Golden." She also contributed to other tracks like "How It's Done" and "Your Idol."
How did Ejae's song "Golden" achieve such unprecedented global chart success?

"Golden" topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks, becoming the first No. 1 for a female K-pop act. It also dominated the British Official Singles Chart Top 100 for eight weeks and earned Double Platinum certification from the RIAA.
Which prominent K-pop and Western artists does Ejae hope to collaborate with in the future?

Ejae has expressed a strong desire to collaborate with K-pop groups like aespa and BTS (especially Jungkook), as well as Western pop stars Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter. She also hopes to work with her Huntr/x groupmates, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, and other Korean American artists.