K-Pop Demon Hunters' EJAE revealed what he felt and how he grew during 10 years as an SM trainee.
On the morning of the 15th, a press conference for the Netflix film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Composer and singer EJAE (Lee Jae), who wrote the mega-hit OST "Golden," attended the event.
The Netflix film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" is an action-fantasy animation set in Korea about K-pop superstars "Rumi," "Mira" and "Joy" who act as hidden heroes protecting the world behind their dazzling stages. Since its initial release on Jun. 20, it has continued to enjoy explosive popularity and has become a global sensation. Since its release it has consistently remained on Netflix's global top 10 list in the English films institutional sector, and with the OST "Golden" it achieved eight consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In addition, it is receiving tremendous acclaim for its addictive music, the details infused with uniquely Korean culture, and its original genre of "K-pop exorcism action."
Korean American EJAE spent more than 10 years as a trainee at SM Entertainment before focusing on composing. In addition to "Golden," he also personally composed Red Velvet's "Psycho," released in 2019.
EJAE, who said he felt frustration and growth during 10 years as an SM trainee, said, It all made me think there is a reason for everything. Of course I practiced a lot at a young age, but failing is not easy. Especially when you are young you get hurt. You naturally get hurt, but to grow you naturally get hurt. How you get through the hardship is the most important thing. I didn't think being rejected a lot back then was a bad thing.
He added, As I stayed there I came to understand SM's reasons, and I understood that 'everyone has their time.' More important is that growing is important. If you fail, it's OK, you can try again — that mindset mattered. My mother always said, 'words become seeds,' and she would say that if you say it won't work, it will become that way. She always said you should say you can do it. It's about persuading yourself that way.
EJAE also said, I kept that mindset, and honestly music saved me. I had a dream of being a singer, but I could also be a composer or engineer. I made beats back then. I lived in Yeonhui-dong and walked an hour to Hongdae to go into a cafe and make beats for 12 hours. That's how I found myself. The most important thing was that no matter how much I felt defeated, if an opportunity came I decided to give it 100 percent. Even a small opportunity, giving it 100 percent is important. He added, The reason I liked "K-Pop Demon Hunters" is that there were points similar to me. I told the people I love about my hardships. You can never endure it alone. Rumi tried to do it alone, then talked to her members about the hardship and they overcame it together. I learned a lot from that.
Meanwhile, "K-Pop Demon Hunters" became the first Netflix title to surpass 300 million views, surpassing the record of Squid Game, and attention is focused on whether it will win the Academy Award for best original song at next year's ceremony.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix
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