How A Long-Time SM Entertainment Trainee Ended Up Starring In “KPop Demon Hunters”

She almost debuted alongside Girls’ Generation!

Kim Eun Jae, better known as EJAE, has quietly built an impressive career behind the scenes. Born in Seoul in December 1991, she spent over a decade as an SM Entertainment trainee beginning in her teens. Though she trained alongside girls like members of Girls’ Generation, several near-debuts never materialized, leaving her disillusioned and questioning her path.

Instead of giving up, EJAE pursued music academically, studying music industry and psychology at NYU in New York. She began writing songs and eventually earned her breakthrough by co-writing Red Velvet’s hit “Psycho” in 2019. From there, she became a sought-after topliner, penning tracks for aespa, TWICE, LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX and more.

| Namu Wiki

At the end of 2020, EJAE joined the songwriting team for Netflix’s animated musical KPop Demon Hunters. By 2023 she had demoed several key tracks including “Golden,” “How It’s Done,” and “What It Sounds Like.” When director Maggie Kang heard her demos, she asked EJAE to provide the singing voice for the film’s heroine, Rumi.

Rumi | SONY

The move paid off in a big way. EJAE’s vocals helped propel the soundtrack to viral success with “Golden” peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200, and KPop Demon Hunters becoming a top-10 album worldwide.

The arc from trainee disappointment, to songwriter, to singing voice behind a cinematic heroine is testament to her perseverance and artistic evolution. At 33, EJAE’s story stands as proof that sometimes the stage you never debut on leads to a stage millions watch at home.