It’s not every day that an animated film shatters records on both Netflix and at the box office, but K-Pop: Demon Hunters managed just that. Released in June 2025, this Sony and Netflix project, a vibrant love letter to K-culture, quickly became the most-watched animated film on Netflix, and then its most-watched film of all time. The soundtrack, too, was a phenomenon, with every original track charting on the Billboard Hot 100, including a No. 1 hit and four songs simultaneously in the Top 10 – a first for any movie soundtrack.
But beyond the dazzling animation and the thrilling story of the girl group HUNTR/X battling demons, there's a deeper pulse to K-Pop: Demon Hunters. That pulse belongs to EJAE, the singer and songwriter who poured her talent into many of its standout tracks, including the chart-topping "Golden." She’s not just a contributor; she’s been instrumental in shaping the very musical soul of this project.
EJAE’s involvement with K-Pop: Demon Hunters began early, back in 2020. The directors, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, had a vision, and EJAE was tasked with translating that into sound. It was a process of deep exploration, with countless demo versions – sometimes as many as 60 for a single scene – being crafted, discarded, and reworked. "How It’s Done," the electrifying opener that introduces the HUNTR/X trio, was one of the tracks that survived this intense workshop, a testament to its immediate impact and BLACKPINK-inspired energy.
As the project evolved, so did the collaborative circle. Musical director Ian Eisendrath brought in producers and songwriters from THEBLACKLABEL, the powerhouse team behind acts like BLACKPINK. They contributed significantly, blending traditional Korean instrumentation with contemporary K-pop flair on tracks like the haunting "Your Idol" and the undeniably catchy "Soda Pop." EJAE described the process as a constant back-and-forth: directors would set the mood for a scene, share reference tracks, THEBLACKLABEL would lay down the instrumental foundation, and then EJAE, alongside co-writer Mark Sonnenblick, would weave in the lyrics, melody, and overall concept. EJAE herself was the driving force behind the demos, often recording every vocal part, from lead vocals to harmonies and background layers, even stepping in to sing for the male idol characters. It was her voice, in fact, that ultimately became the singing voice for the protagonist, Rumi, due to the character’s envisioned lower vocal register.
Director Maggie Kang herself acknowledged EJAE’s pivotal role, calling her "the heart and soul of Huntr/x" and noting that her demos were crucial in securing the project's green light. It’s clear that EJAE didn’t just write songs for the film; she helped build it from the ground up.
This deep connection to music isn't new for EJAE. Born Kim Eun-jae in Seoul, her journey in the K-pop world started young. She trained under the giant SM Entertainment from the age of 11, spending a decade honing her craft. Though she was considered for various debut groups and a solo career, she eventually aged out of the trainee system in 2011, leading her to pursue studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her time at SM, however, left an indelible mark. "I learned to think about how a song might translate into choreography or a music video," she reflected. "That perspective has shaped my songwriting ever since."
And her impact extends far beyond K-Pop: Demon Hunters. Even before her work on the film, EJAE had a formidable discography. At a 2017 songwriting camp for SM Entertainment, she penned and demoed what would become Red Velvet’s 2019 hit "Psycho." Inspired by a personal moment – an argument with her long-distance fiancé – the song went on to earn Song of the Year at the Gaon Chart Music Awards and garnered nominations for prestigious awards like the Melon Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. It was eventually certified platinum in Korea.
EJAE has since cemented her status as a behind-the-scenes titan, writing and producing for numerous top K-pop acts, including credits on aespa’s "Drama." Her ability to infuse emotion, craft compelling narratives, and understand the visual and performance aspects of music makes her a truly unique force in the industry. She’s not just a songwriter; she’s a storyteller, a visionary, and, as K-Pop: Demon Hunters so brilliantly showcases, the vital heartbeat of a groundbreaking project.
