Kim Eun‑jae (Aka EJAE/Rumi (KPop Demon Hunters) Music Chat

[hannah]

Official YouTube Page: EJAE
Spotify:
TikTok: TikTok - Make Your Day
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejae_k/

If you have watched KPop Demon Hunters, you will be familiar with the song Golden and possibly the real-life singers who provide the singing voices of the animated characters. I'm not going to lie, I've become a little bit obsessed with one of the singers, Kim Eun‑jae - known professionally as EJAE, who provides the singing voice for Rumi in the film. She was also one of the songwriters for the KPDH soundtrack.



She has a fascinating trajectory, and her rise says a lot about how global K‑pop has become.

EJAE trained at SM Entertainment for 10 years, beginning in 2003 - an unusually long trainee period that shaped her as both a vocalist and a songwriter. After being considered "too old" to debut in a traditional idol group, she shifted her focus to songwriting and production, eventually relocating to the U.S. to build her career independently.

Before her breakout as a performer, EJAE was already well‑known behind the scenes. She wrote or contributed vocals for major K‑pop acts including Red Velvet, Aespa, Twice, and Le Sserafim.

Her international breakthrough came with the 2025 animated film KPop Demon Hunters:

• She provided the singing voice for Rumi, one of the film's protagonists.
• She co‑wrote and performed the hit single "Golden", which became a global chart‑topper:
  • #1 on Billboard Hot 100, Global 200, and UK Singles Chart — a historic first for a K‑pop‑led soundtrack.
• The film's soundtrack, blending Korean traditional elements with modern pop, earned widespread acclaim, with EJAE credited as a key creative architect.

EJAE's story is one of persistence, reinvention, and cross‑cultural artistry - she's become a creative powerhouse precisely because she didn't follow the standard idol path. It is the kind of story where every setback sharpened her craft.

She released her debut solo single a few months ago, shortly after the live performance of Golden, and it showcases her voice and insane range. I really hope she continues as a solo performer; she deserves to be a global superstar for her backstory alone, and she has the talent to definitely be one.

 

[Pawn]

I think we are watching the birth of a superstar.

 

[Regan]

I love that she's getting her big, big moment after being a trainee for 10 years, that's a crazy story.

Her solo song is beautiful. What a voice. I look forward to hearing more from her.

 

[Franco Pinion]

I remember thinking Golden was just AI when I first heard it. Then I saw the live versions and was like "wow, she can sing".

That is the first time I've heard her solo song, now I'm like "WOW, SHE CAN REALLY SING!!".

 

[Gemma]

She's got a beautiful voice, she's so talented. I listened to an interview she did on the Zach Sang Show where she talks about being rejected as an idol, how she struggled with panic attacks and illness just before that live performance, her fears as she becomes more famous etc. She's not only very talented and beautiful but also very humble and likeable. I hope she continues to receive the recognition she deserves.

I think we are watching the birth of a superstar.

I hope so.

 

[hannah]

I've heard other interviews where she says she sees herself as a songwriter and listening to her talk, she isn't comfortable performing live which is crazy because she can absolutely sing and has a stunning voice.

The pressure on the three of them when they were to sing Golden live must have been massive.

I think we will get more songs from her, she has a new song releasing on February 6 and I think she may release an album at some stage.

She was asked in one interview who she would love to perform with and she said Julia Michaels who has been a huge inspiration for her.

 

[Strawberry Man]

She deserves the recognition and adulation she is now receiving.

Golden is a fantastic song. Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami look and sound fantastic on the live version. Ejae's vocal range is insane - it is bizarre to hear her say she doesn't see herself as a singer because most artists would kill for her vocal talents.

 

[Janey]

We're massive KPop Demon Hunter fans in my house. We still watch the movie at least once a month as a family and the kids are probably 2 or 3 times a month each.

The music is so good.

Golden is such a good song. They have really killed it with the live versions.

I have a feeling EJAE is going to explode this year. We've all heard her beautiful voice, insane range - I love the low notes in Golden - and her story is one that should give everyone hope and encouragement - rejection is part of the journey, come back stronger and prove them wrong. I really hope she reaches the very top, she definitely has the talent as both a singer and songwriter. I hope all 3 of them get the recognition and career boosts they deserve. I can't imagine how hectic their lives must be now.

This is my favourite version of Golden.



Her solo debut is beautiful. It is actually about a mutual intentional break she took with her now fiancé (that itself is a lovely story) but she says it is also a song for her younger self and her lost dream of being a Kpop Idol which is also lovely.

I've read that they are going to make a sequel to the movie. I wonder if we'll get a music tour too?

 

[Tom]

We love Kpop Demon Hunters, too. I've not heard much Kpop before, Eily is more into that kinda thing, but all the songs from the soundtrack are excellent and make me want to explore more. I hope they release other songs as a group.

That solo song by EJAE is beautiful. She has exceptional vocals. Crazy to think she was, firstly, rejected as a Kpop Idol, then she had doubts about her voice - that is just mad, hopefully those doubts have been blown away.

I look forward to hearing more from her and from Huntr|X

 

[hannah]

This is my favourite version of Golden.

Yes, this is my favourite version too. You can see they are more comfortable now that they have performed the song a few times live. EJAE seems more relaxed. The strings in the background just take the song to another level.

I wonder if we'll get a music tour too?

That would be awesome!

Two good interviews





Still listening to her speak, I don't actually think she wants to be a global superstar.

make me want to explore more

You'll like BLACKPINK, maybe check out Twice (they recorded a version of Takedown on KPDH), and Red Velvet - EJAE wrote their smash hit Psycho.