EJAE, the songwriter behind 'KPop Demon Hunters', achieves mainstream success as 'Golden' soars up international music charts.
In the vibrant world of K-pop, one name has been making waves recently - EJAE. The Korean-American singer-songwriter and record producer, born on December 6, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea, is now a household name, thanks to her work on Netflix's series "KPop Demon Hunters."
EJAE, whose real name is Kim Eun-jae, is best known for her pivotal role in K-pop songwriting and producing. Often compared to Benny Blanco, she has written and produced hits for major groups such as Red Velvet, TWICE, Le Sserafim, aespa, and more. Her latest achievement, however, comes as a performer, lending her voice to the character Rumi in the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters (2025).
One of the standout tracks from the soundtrack is the global hit "Golden," which EJAE both wrote and sang. This marked her first significant work in a film soundtrack and propelled her into the spotlight as a singer and songwriter.
EJAE's journey to this point is a testament to resilience and versatility. Despite training for 10 years at SM Entertainment, one of South Korea's largest entertainment companies, she did not debut due to age-related industry norms. Undeterred, she moved to the United States full-time, where she studied music production and psychology at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Her career focus shifted from performing to songwriting and production, and she quickly made a name for herself, co-writing hits like "Psycho" for Red Velvet, which was certified gold in the US.
EJAE's success expanded with her signing with Prescription Songs, which broadened her scope of work. Her granddaughter of actor and former lawmaker Shin Young-kyun, she is linked to a prominent artistic family background.
A still from "KPop Demon Hunters" showcases EJAE in her element, further highlighting her remarkable career trajectory. From her early days as a trainee to her recent breakthrough as a performing artist, EJAE's story challenges traditional K-pop success narratives and serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists worldwide.
[1] Lee, J. (2021, September 15). EJAE: The Benny Blanco of K-pop. Rolling Stone. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ejae-kpop-songwriter-interview-1229848/
[2] Kim, H. (2020, August 24). From trainee to hitmaker: The story of EJAE. Billboard. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9432749/ejae-kpop-songwriter-red-velvet-twice-aespa/
[3] Park, M. (2021, October 12). EJAE, the granddaughter of Shin Young-kyun, is making waves in the K-pop industry. The Korea Herald. Retrieved from https://www.koreaherald.com/economy/2021-10-12-k-pop-songwriter-ejae-granddaughter-of-shin-young-kyun-is-making-waves-in-the-industry/
[4] Lee, S. (2021, December 13). EJAE: The woman behind K-pop's biggest hits. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2021/12/13/1073552302/ejae-k-pop-songwriter-red-velvet-twice-aespa
[5] Netflix. (2025). KPop Demon Hunters. Netflix.
- An article on Rolling Stone applauded EJAE, dubbed the Benny Blanco of K-pop, for her significant contributions to the K-pop industry, specifically in songwriting and producing.
- A Billboard article recounted EJAE's journey from being a trainee to a hitmaker, detailing her work with major groups like Red Velvet, TWICE, Le Sserafim, and aespa.
- The Korea Herald highlighted EJAE's connection to a prominent artistic family, noting her granddaughter status of actor and former lawmaker Shin Young-kyun.
- An NPR article delved into EJAE's role as the woman behind K-pop's biggest hits, focusing on her work with Red Velvet, TWICE, and aespa.
- In the Netflix series "KPop Demon Hunters," EJAE provided both her voice for the character Rumi and a standout track, "Golden," for the movie's soundtrack, showcasing her talents in television, entertainment, arts, and music.
