Los Angeles (CNN) — January 28, 2026: A former K-pop trainee whose idol ambitions were cut short by her agency has found renewed success on the global stage, as Korean American singer and songwriter EJAE gains international recognition through the blockbuster animated film KPop Demon Hunters.
Key Developments:
- Former K-pop trainee EJAE achieves global recognition through Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters.
- Song “Golden,” co-written and performed by EJAE, wins a Golden Globe and earns Grammy and Oscar nominations.
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EJAE, who began training at the age of 11 under South Korea’s major entertainment system, never debuted as a K-pop idol after her contract expired. The years-long training period, marked by intense competition and scrutiny, ended without the breakthrough she had pursued since childhood.
After leaving the trainee system, EJAE reinvented herself as a songwriter and producer, a rare transition at the time for former trainees. Her shift behind the scenes eventually led to major songwriting credits for top K-pop acts, including Red Velvet, Twice, Suzy, and Aespa.
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Her career reached a new milestone with KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most-watched original animated film. EJAE co-wrote and recorded demo vocals for multiple tracks on the soundtrack and also served as the singing voice of the film’s lead character. The film’s anthem, Golden, won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and has since dominated global music charts, earning multiple Grammy nominations and an upcoming Oscar nod.
Industry experts note that EJAE’s success represents an uncommon path in the K-pop ecosystem, where trainees who do not debut often exit the music industry entirely. Her journey has drawn attention to the pressures of the K-pop training system while highlighting alternative creative avenues within the industry.
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Speaking after receiving the Golden Globe, EJAE described her experience as a reminder that professional setbacks can lead to new directions. Nearly a decade after leaving idol training, her music is now reaching global audiences, marking a full-circle moment in her career.
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