This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL
This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL.
K-pop Demon Hunters Is Breaking Through on Netflix
K-pop Demon Hunters is breaking through on Netflix — and it's far more than a movie. It's an epic story that exposes the truth behind the K-pop scene, the idol industry, and the music-making process. "Golden," the film's standout track that has generated enormous buzz, is striking a chord with audiences around the world through the genuine emotion embedded in both its melody and its lyrics.
In this interview, EJAE, who was involved in creating the track, opens up — honestly and without filters — about how a K-pop hit is born, the punishing training of being a young idol, and the darker dimensions of fandom. The hidden story behind the film's success, how the "formula for a hit song" comes to life in the music industry, and how Asian culture is reflected in and bringing new energy to K-pop — this is a wide-ranging look at what makes K-pop compelling, and what lies in its shadow.
- How "Golden" Was Born | The True Nature of the Melody That Captivated the World
- A Former SM Trainee Speaks on "Light and Shadow" | The Reality of Training and Fandom
- Asian Culture × Self-Expression | The New Vision of K-pop That "K-pop Demon Hunters" Presents
- Summary: What Does "K-pop Demon Hunters" Mean for K-pop?
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How "Golden" Was Born | The True Nature of the Melody That Captivated the World
The Song "Golden" Used in K-pop Demon Hunters
The song "Golden" used in K-pop Demon Hunters was a process of continuous trial and error for the creative team — and yet the melody came immediately at the production stage, giving everyone the unmistakable feeling that "this is going to be a hit." EJAE describes the moment she stood in the studio with other composers and co-writers: the melody appeared in her mind instantly.
In creating the track, the team also consciously focused on the elements common to K-pop hits: an "ear-catching hook" and "changes within the song." EJAE explains that in a K-pop hit, "a hook you can't get out of your head," the melody, and variations within the song — including a second-verse rap and other techniques to keep the listener engaged — are all essential. K-pop's characteristically diverse structural elements were also very much part of the thinking.
EJAE Also Spoke About the Elements She Considered Indispensable to Creating This Hit
EJAE also spoke about the elements she considered indispensable to creating this hit. One of the most powerful points she made was about the importance of the "hook" in K-pop — the catchy section that anyone can connect with and sing along to. She explains that a hook is the crucial part that determines first impressions for global listeners, and that its presence gives the music a strong impact even if the lyrical content is somewhat ambiguous. EJAE also mentioned her deep admiration for renowned pop songwriter Max Martin, expressing respect for his approach to creating melodies that are simple yet deeply resonant. Against this backdrop, "Golden" became something more than a song — for listeners, it came to be received as a symbol connected to the spirit of the K-pop era, to their own identities, and to their dreams.
Even after completing the track, the team felt tremendous pride in their work alongside the sense that it would be a hit. EJAE reflects that through this experience she reaffirmed the power of music itself, and that the core of the song is the desire to deliver positive impact to children and adults around the world through music. The K-pop market is becoming increasingly global, generating new developments through fusion with other cultures and languages. The behind-the-scenes story EJAE shares about creating "Golden" evokes the potential of music that transcends national and linguistic boundaries — not confined to any single country or culture. Her passion, and the impact she felt in that moment, will be retold as an important episode in the music scene for years to come. "Golden" is expected to become a song that endures and is loved by many, recognized for both its melody and its message.
A Former SM Trainee Speaks on "Light and Shadow" | The Reality of Training and Fandom
EJAE Speaks Candidly About Her Past as an SM Entertainment Trainee
EJAE speaks candidly about her past as an SM Entertainment trainee, offering a frank account of the harsh realities lurking beneath the surface of the K-pop industry. From an early age, she trained every day at school in dance, singing, and even languages including Chinese and Japanese — growing up in an environment where perfection was constantly demanded. At the same time, she recalls that during her trainee days, she was subjected to verbal abuse and had garbage thrown at her by some fans — an experience that was deeply frightening for her at just 11 to 14 years old. One episode describes training room situations where fans would press against glass doors and peer through small gaps, sometimes hurling unjustified insults or throwing garbage — conditions that placed an enormous psychological burden on young trainees and often left lasting wounds.
In that kind of environment, succeeding as an idol required being relentlessly hard on yourself and pushing with full effort at all times. EJAE looks back on the gap between the pure dream she held as a child — "I want to be a singer" — and the harsh reality she encountered. She admits that as she grew, she struggled to believe in her own abilities, constantly comparing herself to others and riding the emotional rollercoaster of evaluation and criticism. Even so, she says that in any situation, no matter how difficult, pressing forward without giving up was the only way to become stronger — and that this experience connects directly to a facet of herself that is later expressed in K-pop Demon Hunters.
This Harsh Environment Leads Many Trainees to Carry a Heavy Psychological Burden
This harsh environment leads many trainees to carry a heavy psychological burden. Three points in particular that EJAE emphasized:
- The psychological pressure of criticism and extreme fan reactions
- The culture of demanded perfection, and the struggle to find one's identity within it
These Experiences Were Not Sweet — They Cut Deep
These experiences were not sweet — they sometimes cut deep. EJAE looks back on her days as a trainee and feels that who she is today exists because she pushed through those difficulties. She also says that not just her personal passion and dreams, but those experiences became the driving force behind sending an important message through film, music, and K-pop as a whole. She also mentions that after the film became a hit, some people assumed the vocals were AI-generated because she was singing as a character. EJAE, who said "I am not AI," described this misunderstanding as something that hurt — like having her efforts dismissed. The success of the work also revealed a new challenge: the presence and expression of the artist themselves can become invisible. EJAE's experiences speak to the intense reality lurking behind the glamorous surface, and the real reason why young idols must become strong. She believes that because of the harsh competitive environment and the unforgiving fandom experience, the passion she puts into her singing and the deep emotion that comes through in her voice were born. These experiences have had a major impact not just on her artistic relationship with music, but on her humanity and how she lives.
Those experiences connect to the expression work she does today. In the face of harsh criticism and even extreme fandom dynamics that led to misunderstanding, she kept fighting to protect "who she really is." This fight mirrors the conflicts and growth of the characters in K-pop Demon Hunters. And that lived reality has become both an encouragement to many fans and a source of new perspectives on music.
Asian Culture × Self-Expression | The New Vision of K-pop That "K-pop Demon Hunters" Presents
K-pop Demon Hunters is drawing attention not just for conveying the appeal of music and dance, but as a work that portrays multiple dimensions of Asian — and particularly Korean — culture. EJAE speaks about the sense of "Korean-ness" you can feel throughout the film and its precise cultural expressions. She specifically mentions the food scenes, the Korean word "Kaja (let's go)," and the cultural detail of sitting on the floor of an airplane — real details that any Korean person would immediately recognize. These moments provide a fresh and deeply resonant experience for both domestic and international audiences, and serve as important scenes that inspire pride in one's own roots.
EJAE also holds a particular attachment to the Korean lyrics used in the film and their complementary relationship with English. Being bilingual and confident in both English and Korean, she incorporated touches like rhymes in both languages in the final section of the lyrics — a device that resonates directly with Korean audiences and those who have grown up with Korean culture. She emphasizes the importance of making music and film from a global perspective while honoring her own roots. This has allowed the film to send diverse messages not just to younger audiences but across a broad range of generations.
The Film Is Also Filled With Casual Korean Cultural Details as "Easter Eggs"
The film is also filled with casual Korean cultural details as "Easter eggs" — the small, unassuming gestures and life habits of the characters accumulate to create a sense of the real rhythms of Asian life. These go beyond mere homage; they are important elements that reflect how Asian creators perceive and communicate their own culture. EJAE speaks about the influence her own experience and identity have had on the filmmaking process, and expresses a strong desire to deliver her roots to the world through her work.
In this film, music functions not just as entertainment but as an important element symbolizing self-expression and cultural diversity. K-pop music is creating new value by connecting to the identities of various Asian countries, not just through global hits but through cultural resonance. Looking at the future of K-pop, EJAE says: "While incorporating elements of traditional Korean culture, I want to continue moving people around the world by pursuing innovative musicality." She emphasizes that the hard road she has traveled and the many lessons she has learned in the music industry have become her courage to face future challenges. K-pop Demon Hunters is likely to attract even more attention going forward — not just as entertainment, but as a symbol of identity rediscovery and the freedom of self-expression for young people today.
Summary: What Does "K-pop Demon Hunters" Mean for K-pop?
In this article, we explored the story hidden behind the Netflix blockbuster K-pop Demon Hunters — the behind-the-scenes story of creating "Golden," the grueling training and intense fandom dynamics, and the shape of self-expression rooted in Asian culture — all through EJAE's invaluable firsthand experience. By conveying the real reality of the film, music, and K-pop industry without omission, this piece conveys the harshness behind the glamorous surface, the strength needed to rise from it, and the new value created when diverse cultures converge. The harsh yet passionate days that EJAE lived through are deeply etched into the film and the music, and they will continue to resonate with and move people around the world for years to come. The K-pop world continues to evolve and transform constantly, exploring new forms of expression from a global perspective. We hope this article has been a useful guide for readers in rediscovering the diversity of music, film, and self-expression.
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f23ca4YSAXI
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