From rejected K-pop trainee to global superstar: the meteoric rise of Ejae

Music · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: After spending a decade as an SM Entertainment trainee without a debut, Ejae pivoted to songwriting. Her breakthrough arrived in 2025 as the singing voice for Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters, leading to a historic chart-topping run and multiple major industry awards for her work on the film's soundtrack.

Born in Seoul in 1991, Ejae’s path to music began early, though her initial experience in the K-pop industry was marked by frustration. She spent nearly ten years as a trainee starting in 2003, but despite her commitment, she never debuted as a soloist or group member. By 2015, her contract ended, closing the door on her idol training. She instead turned her focus to songwriting and production, graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2014 and refining her craft at SM Entertainment songwriting camps.

Her career shifted dramatically in 2025 when she provided the singing voice for the character Rumi in the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters. The film’s soundtrack reached number one on the Billboard 200, and the single "Golden," which Ejae co-wrote and performed, topped the Billboard Hot 100. This success was unprecedented; the song earned four Grammy nominations and became the first K-pop track to win an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Critics praised her vocal range, noting she hit an A-5 note on the chorus, a feat typically reserved for operatic sopranos.

Ejae’s influence extended beyond the film, as she became a sought-after collaborator. In August 2025, she held three of the top five spots on the Billboard Global 200 chart simultaneously, a feat previously achieved by only four other artists, including Taylor Swift and Drake. Her momentum continued into 2026 with the release of her solo singles "In Another World" and "Time After Time," as well as a performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. Today, she stands as a versatile artist who successfully bridged the gap between behind-the-scenes production and global stardom.

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