Ejae, the singer-songwriter and composer of K-Pop Demon Hunters’ breakout OST “Golden,” made a highly anticipated appearance on the October 22 episode of tvN’s variety show You Quiz on the Block.
When asked about the global success of “Golden,” which became a worldwide sensation thanks to its inclusion in Netflix’s animated hit, Ejae humbly admitted he’s still processing it all. “So much has happened so fast, I haven’t even had time to take it in. Even being here right now feels surreal—like a dream,” he said.
Currently navigating a schedule that mirrors that of a global superstar, Ejae shared, “I’ve been to the Virginia Film Festival and the Academy Museum Gala. I did interviews for three days straight, and now I’m heading to New York. It’s no joke.”
Host Jo Se Ho brought up a hot topic among fans: “Many people are speculating that the cumulative royalties from ‘Golden’ could rival the 45.6 billion KRW prize from Squid Game.” Ejae, visibly surprised, responded, “I didn’t know that,” while Yoo Jae Suk jokingly urged him to “show us your bank account.”
Ejae clarified the timeline for music royalties, particularly those from overseas. “In Korea, payments come in quickly. But in the U.S., it takes about a year,” he explained, indicating that he hasn’t even received the bulk of his international earnings yet.
Ejae also opened up about his stressful debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this month. “Honestly, it was like a movie—I lost my voice the morning of the performance. I was exhausted from a packed schedule, and my body couldn’t keep up,” he said. “I’ve never even done a live performance before, and my first ever stage was Jimmy Fallon. The pressure was overwhelming—I couldn’t speak, I just cried.”
He shared that even during rehearsal, his voice cracked, shocking his fiancée. “My manager told me to rest for five minutes. Two months ago, I was just a regular composer, and now everything has changed overnight,” he said.
It was his fiancée’s encouragement that helped him power through. “She told me not to stress about the high notes, to just focus on the lyrics—because this song isn’t just for me. It gives hope to Asian Americans, Koreans, and everyone. That grounded me,” Ejae said with emotion.
As “Golden” continues to climb charts and capture hearts globally, Ejae’s unexpected rise is proving that heartfelt music—paired with talent and timing—can turn even an ordinary composer into an international sensation.
Sources: Daum
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