Singer-songwriter EJae, who gained worldwide attention for the hit “Golden” from K-pop Demon Hunters, shared her emotional journey on the October 22 episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block.
During the show, EJae opened up about the struggles she faced in her early years in K-pop. She revealed that she trained under SM Entertainment for 12 long years alongside future stars like Girls’ Generation, Super Junior, and SHINee, but never got the chance to debut.
“I was always a trainee,” she recalled, expressing the pain of waiting endlessly for her moment to shine.
EJae admitted that after her debut plans collapsed, she once felt deep resentment toward the K-pop industry.
But with support and encouragement from Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, she was able to find a new path as a composer and producer. She went on to work on major hits such as Red Velvet’s “Psycho” and aespa’s “Armageddon.”
The singer also talked about how she eventually overcame her insecurities about her own voice and found the courage to sing “Golden.” The song went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks, marking a stunning turnaround in her career.
Looking back, EJae said she now feels “grateful for the long years of training” that shaped her into the artist she is today. Fans praised her for her honesty and strength, calling her story “inspiring” and “heartbreaking but empowering.”
EJae’s full story of persistence and triumph — from a trainee who never debuted to a global chart-topper — aired on You Quiz on the Block, which broadcasts every Wednesday at 8:45 PM KST on tvN.
Source: [1]
