EJAE’s ‘Golden’ Hits #1: Netflix K‑Pop Film Launches Singer‑Songwriter to Global Stardom
When EJAE, the stage name of Kim Eun‑jae saw her song "Golden" skyrocket to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, the world stopped scrolling and started listening.
The breakthrough happened in June 2025, when Netflix released the animated musical KPop Demon Huntersglobal streaming platform. EJAE provided the singing voice for Rumi, the charismatic leader of the fictional K‑pop girl group Huntr/x, and co‑wrote three of the film’s biggest tracks, including the chart‑topping "Golden".
But why does a Netflix cartoon matter to anyone outside a niche fanbase? Because the song didn’t just stick to the soundtrack – it became a cultural moment, topping charts in the U.S., the U.K., South Korea, and Brazil within weeks. The ripple effect is already reshaping how studios think about music‑driven animation, and it’s giving a long‑overdue spotlight to a talent who spent a decade waiting in the wings of the K‑pop machine.
From Trainee to Hitmaker
EJAE’s journey reads like a modern‑day fairy tale that refuses to end happily ever after – at least not without a few plot twists. Born on December 6, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea, she is the granddaughter of celebrated actor and arts patron Shin Young‑kyun. At age 12, she entered the notoriously rigorous training program of SM Entertainment, where she spent a full ten years mastering dance, vocal technique, and stage presence.
When the agency told her she was “too old to debut” – a verdict that sparked a wave of criticism on TikTok – EJAE didn’t quit; she pivoted. She enrolled at New York University to study music production and psychology, splitting her time between the Bronx and Seoul. The academic detour paid off. In 2019, she co‑wrote Red Velvet’s smash "Psycho," which earned a gold certification in the United States. Subsequent credits on Aespa’s "Drama" and "Armageddon" cemented her reputation as the "Benny Blanco of K‑pop," according to the South China Morning Post.
"I always knew I’d make music, even if it wasn’t on a stage," EJAE told Rolling Stone in a 2024 interview. "The studio became my stage. The audience? The world, eventually."
KPop Demon Hunters: A Netflix Phenomenon
The film itself is a mash‑up of pop culture tropes: a glitter‑filled idol group that moonlights as demon slayers, a villainous boy band called the Saja Boys, and a plot that riffs on both classic anime and Western superhero movies. Netflix promoted it as the first fully animated K‑pop musical, and the numbers proved the gamble was right.
- Most‑viewed animated film on Netflix in its first month – over 120 million household views.
- Soundtrack debut: 2.3 million streams in the first 24 hours, the highest ever for a 2025 release.
- Billboard impact: five songs entered the Hot 100, with "Golden" eventually claiming the top spot.
Behind the scenes, EJAE collaborated with American songwriter Mark Sonnenblick. Their partnership blended K‑pop’s polished production with Western pop sensibilities, creating a crossover appeal that resonated worldwide.
Golden: Chart‑Topping Success
"Golden" didn’t just climb the charts; it leapt. Debuting at number two on the Hot 100 the week of July 12, 2025, it vaulted to number one on July 19, 2025, edging out a longstanding pop titan. The song also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, the Gaon Digital Chart in South Korea, and the Brazilian Spotify Top 50.
Industry analysts point to three factors that made the track a runaway hit:
- Cross‑cultural lyricism – the chorus mixes English with Korean hooks, giving it both accessibility and authenticity.
- Strategic placement – Netflix promoted the song in every trailer, and a viral TikTok dance challenge sparked a second wave of streams.
- Star power – EJAE’s vocal performance, combined with the visual of Rumi’s animated concert, created a memorable moment that fans replayed endlessly.
"The moment I heard the final mix, I knew it could be a global anthem," Sonnenblick recalled in a post‑release chat. "EJAE’s voice carries that emotional punch you need for a song to live beyond the screen."
Following the chart surge, Netflix entered "Golden" for consideration at the 2026 Academy Awards, marking the first time a song from an animated K‑pop project has been pitched for an Oscar.
Beyond the Film: Solo Plans and Philanthropy
Riding the wave, EJAE announced on October 4, 2025 that her debut solo single “In Another World” will drop on October 24, 2025. The track, an electropop ballad featuring a soaring hook reminiscent of “Golden,” will be released through Prescription Songs, the publishing company that signed her earlier this year.
Just days before the release, she and fellow cast‑mates Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami made a cameo on the season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live, reprising their animated roles. The live‑TV appearance sparked a surge in social media mentions, with Twitter users dubbing the trio "the new voice of animated music."
Philanthropically, EJAE remains tied to Korean history. In July 2025, YouTube channel Studio USOG announced her contribution to the “Another Day of Debut Training” project, with proceeds earmarked for descendants of Korean independence activists. The following month, the project’s assembled group, TDYA, performed EJAE’s composition “Keep the Light” on August 15, 2025, at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, celebrating the 80th National Liberation Day of Korea.
What This Means for K‑Pop and Hollywood
The success of "Golden" signals a shift in how major studios treat non‑English music. Historically, Hollywood has leaned on Western pop for soundtrack dominance; now, the K‑pop engine is proving it can drive global box‑office and streaming numbers alike.
For aspiring K‑pop artists, EJAE’s story offers a blueprint: talent can bloom outside the traditional idol pipeline, especially when paired with cross‑border collaborations. As industry analyst Maria Lopez noted for Variety, "EJAE shows that the old trainee‑debut model isn’t the only road to stardom. The digital era rewards versatility and global appeal over rigid age limits."
In a nutshell, the chart‑topping single, the Oscar push, and the solo debut all point to a new era where animated narratives and K‑pop chemistry can dominate both screens and radio waves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is EJAE’s success likely to affect other K‑pop trainees who didn’t debut?
EJAE’s rise demonstrates that studio work, songwriting, and voice‑acting can serve as viable pathways. Agencies may start allocating more resources to behind‑the‑scenes roles, giving older trainees chances to contribute without a traditional debut.
What made "Golden" stand out enough to top the Billboard Hot 100?
The song combined an infectious bilingual chorus, high‑energy production, and a viral TikTok dance. Its placement in a globally streamed Netflix film amplified exposure, turning a soundtrack cut into a mainstream pop anthem.
Will Netflix continue to invest in K‑pop‑centric projects after this hit?
According to an internal memo seen by The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix plans to green‑light at least two more music‑driven animated series targeting Asian markets, citing the success of KPop Demon Hunters as a key data point.
What charitable causes is EJAE supporting with her recent projects?
She donated profits from the “Another Day of Debut Training” single to families of Korean independence activists, and her live performance at Gwanghwamun Square helped raise awareness for the 80th National Liberation Day commemorations.
When can fans expect EJAE’s solo single to drop, and will it be tied to another visual project?
"In Another World" is scheduled for release on October 24, 2025, through Prescription Songs. A music video featuring mixed‑reality animation – blending live‑action footage of EJAE in Brooklyn with stylized K‑pop visuals – is slated to premiere the same day.
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