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“I’ve been hiding, now I’m shining’, a line from Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters lead single Golden is singer-songwriter Iza’s own journey of growth, making her an overnight sensation
As with the film’s original soundtrack, the song dominated the charts, with Ejae credited not only as vocalist, but also as songwriter on several tracks, including “Your Idol”, “How It’s Done”, and “How It’s Done”.
In an exclusive chat with HT City, Ejae admits that the experience still feels surreal.
“It’s crazy, I didn’t expect any of this, nor did anyone from the movie. The amount of love that came our way is unreal. But everything happens when it happens,” she introspects.
As the singing voice of Rumi, the leader of the fictional pop group Hunter/X, torn between her half-Giver and half-human identities, Iza says she found deep resonance with the character’s struggles. She admits that while writing Golden, she was searching for hope.
“I think through her singing Rumi exposes her inner demons, the sadness, the insecurities… I tried to bring out that vulnerability as well as her inner strength. Having gone through similar struggles, the yearning, the desperation to see the light and see her work hard was very relatable,” she explains.
At 31 years old, Ejae’s journey has been one of tenacity and perseverance. Starting out as a trainee with SM Entertainment, she was unable to gain a foothold in the K-pop industry despite endless hours of training and auditions.
“The obsession with perfection can be quite toxic. I struggled with it as an intern, being dropped and rejected, only to have my insecurities and race syndrome rejected. It’s taken me years to find peace and be empathetic towards myself. What I love about the film and its music is that they came up with the core message of finding your purpose,” she Reflects.
Ejae has since had a successful career as a songwriter, having been credited with hits for girl groups Red Velvet, Twice and AESPA. He is often dubbed the “Benny Blanco of K-pop”.
“He’s a legend, I’m not close to him,” she says modestly. “But I plan to continue writing and growing as a songwriter, and learn from my seniors. Just being a student forever is really my goal.”
That said, Golden’s success has turned the tide in his favor.
“People are starting to notice me as an artist now. Many ask me when I plan to release an album or another single. Now I’m exploring that side of me, something I’ve nurtured for a very long time. A single is on the way,” she reveals.
Shortly after this interview the singer took to his social media and announced that Another World would be leaving on October 24.
With viral Oscar buzz already swirling around Golden, “It’s going to be crazy, I’m going to faint,” she says, as she hums, “Gonna, gonna be Golden.” ,
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