Songwriter-singer EJAE from the Netflix animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters" on Oct. 15 responds to questions at a news conference held at the multiplex CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.
By Xu Aiying
Photos = Netflix
"As a songwriter, I check music charts daily and don't see many melodic songs these days. The world has many (tragic) events occurring, so I think lyrics and melodies of hope can heal people. I think this song was what everyone needs."
Korean American songwriter-singer EJAE on Oct. 15 said this when asked what was the secret behind her hit "Golden" from the soundtrack to the global blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters" at a news conference held at the multiplex CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.
Sung by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the smash single achieved a K-pop first by topping Billboard's main singles chart Hot 100 and the Official UK Charts' Top 100 for eight consecutive weeks. EJAE contributed to the soundtrack's songs "Golden" (composition and lyrics) and "How It's Done" (composition and lyrics), "Your Idol" (lyrics) and "Takedown" (arrangement).
EJAE expressed her affection for her Korean roots above all.
"The most important thing in 'KPop Demon Hunters' was to show Korean culture," she said. "It wasn't only me but director Maggie Kang and everyone I worked with who thought to definitely include Korean in the chorus that people would sing along to, and I'm really proud that 'Golden' was made that way."
"Golden" is considered a strong contender for major awards such as the Grammys, the highest honor in U.S. pop music, having been nominated in categories like Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
"I'd really like to win," EJAE said. "I intentionally made the song pop like. I also wanted to make it seem like HUNTRIX was actually debuting in the real world."
Songwriter-singer EJAE from "KPop Demon Hunters" on Oct. 15 takes questions at a news conference held at the multiplex CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.
Though a K-pop trainee at SM Entertainment for 12 years, she dropped out of the game 10 years ago after failing to debut. She returned to Korea, however, as a global star who stands alongside K-pop idols.
On experiencing numerous rejections since age 12, she stressed the saying "Rejection is redirection."
"Now I think everything happens for a reason," she said. "Getting hurt and enduring hardship are inevitable for growth. But I think how you overcome is crucial."
"No matter how frustrated I feel, I strive to give 100% to any opportunity that arises," she added. "I think the most important thing is to give 100% even if it's a small opportunity."
Before gaining global fame for singing "Golden," EJAE before had an impressive track record in composing and lyric writing songs by K-pop groups such as Red Velvet, aespa, TWICE and LE SSERAFIM.
On K-pop acts she wanted to work with, she said. "In K-pop, I want to continue working with aespa. I also really like BTS. It'd be a great honor to work with them."
Her debut solo single "In Another World" is coming on Oct. 24, after which she will continue her activities.
On her new song, EJAE said, "It's a calm song different from 'Golden, so it's good to listen to while walking or thinking."
As a songwriter, she said she wants to bridge K-pop and U.S. pop music. "Songwriting is really therapeutic for me, so I'll sing songs containing personal stories," she said to conclude her news conference.
xuaiy@korea.kr