Singer-songwriter EJAE, best known for her work on the record-breaking Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” opened up about the challenges of performing her own hit song “Golden” live.
During her guest appearance on KBS Cool FM’s “Lee Eun-ji’s Gayo Plaza” on Monday, EJAE spoke candidly about the pressure that comes with performing a song she composed herself — especially one that dominated the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.
In the film, EJAE provided the singing voice for Rumi, a member of the animated girl group Huntrix, and also wrote and composed “Golden” — the movie’s centerpiece song. She also arranged several other key tracks featured in the film.
“Of course there’s pressure,” she said when asked whether the song’s high notes make live performances difficult. “It’s an animation, and the story behind the character was more important. If I had written it for real singers, I would have made it differently.”
EJAE, left, shares behind-the-scenes stories during her appearance on KBS Cool FM’s “Lee Eun-ji’s Gayo Plaza.” Captured from KBS Cool FM
EJAE explained that the song intentionally includes extremely high-pitched sections to reflect Rumi’s emotional intensity. “It needed that desperate climb in tone to express her feelings,” she said. “I didn’t expect I’d end up performing it live myself. Rumi felt the pressure — and so do I.”
The singer recently drew global attention for her performance of “Golden” on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” showcasing the song’s soaring vocals and cinematic emotion.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
