EJAE, who co-wrote “Golden” and sings Rumi’s part, on SBS Radio in October 2025. Still from SBS Radio’s video, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Golden” by HUNTR/X
What it took directly
- stated"Golden" took from a track THEBLACKLABEL and Ian Eisendrath had prepared, over which EJAE wrote the topline fast"Again, THEBLACKLABEL and Ian prepared such an incredible track, and the topline came out so fast." EJAE, to Genius Korea (July 2, 2025)
- stated"Golden" took from a brief from the film: the song had to be about gold"I was thinking about “gold” since that was one of the requirements for this song." EJAE, to Genius Korea (July 2, 2025)
- stated"Golden" took from the film's Golden Honmoon, the barrier the singers want to turn gold"When they do that, the Honmoon — which is sort of the power that watches over us and symbolized as a big circular moon — will turn gold," Ian Eisendrath, to Keisha Hatchett, Netflix Tudum
- stated"Golden" took from five or six earlier songs written for the same slot in the film, until one had the right energy"We had five to six songs written for that slot, and we just kept going until it was the right energy." Ian Eisendrath, executive music producer, to Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter (July 3, 2025)
- statedthe pre-chorus and back half of the chorus of "Golden" took from EJAE's melody"The melody EJAE wrote, that became the pre-chorus and back half of the chorus for “Golden,” is so emotional." Ian Eisendrath, executive music producer, to Jason Lipshutz, Billboard (July 2025)
- statedthe high vocal line of "Golden" took from EJAE writing it hard on purpose, to match Rumi's power and resolve"So, I intentionally wrote a challenging vocal line." EJAE, written interview with Hwang Jee-young, Korea JoongAng Daily (August 6, 2025)
- documentedEJAE's place on the soundtrack took from a fellow musician's recommendation, which brought her onto the team in 2020"EJAE joined the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack team in 2020 through a recommendation from a fellow musician." Hwang Jee-young, Korea JoongAng Daily (August 6, 2025)
What it learned to do
- statedthe lyrics of "Golden" learned from Mark Sonnenblick, who worked the film's story into them"Mark helped flesh out the lyrics to make sure the storyline was in the lyrics and to seamlessly integrate the song into the scene." EJAE, to Genius Korea (July 2, 2025)
- documented"Golden" learned from its full team: written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, IDO, 24 and TEDDY; produced by IDO, 24, TEDDY and Ian Eisendrath"Written by: EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, IDO, 24, and TEDDY Produced by: IDO, 24, TEDDY, and Ian Eisendrath" Song credits published by Netflix, Tudum
- statedHUNTR/X's vocal sound learned from EJAE, who co-arranged the vocals with Eisendrath"I have to throw some real credit to EJAE Kim, who I really feel like helped develop the sound of Huntrix … in terms of the vocals." Ian Eisendrath, executive music producer, to Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter (July 3, 2025)
- stated"Golden" learned from EJAE's years as a trainee and as a little-known songwriter"When we were writing the lyrics, I did apply a lot of emotions I felt during my trainee days or my days as a songwriter, trying to hustle." EJAE, to Genius Korea (July 2, 2025)
- statedEJAE learned from her trainee years, which taught her persistence and how the K-pop industry works"Training taught me persistence and dedication, and gave me a deep understanding of the K-pop industry." EJAE, written interview with Hwang Jee-young, Korea JoongAng Daily (August 6, 2025)
- documentedEJAE learned from writing for Red Velvet ("Psycho"), aespa ("Drama") and TWICE ("Last Waltz")"Most K-Pop fans will recognize EJAE from the credits of their favorite K-Pop hits including “Psycho” by Red Velvet, “Drama” by aespa, and “Last Waltz” by TWICE to name a few." Genius Korea (July 2, 2025), introducing its interview
The tradition it sits in
- stated"Golden" comes from the "I want" song of the stage and film musical"In a traditional film musical structure, this is the ‘I want’ song," Ian Eisendrath, to Keisha Hatchett, Netflix Tudum
- stated"Golden" comes from K-pop itself: it had to be a real K-pop hit by Korean hit-makers, not an imitation of one"This was a film that was made by Korean hit-makers, and the song couldn’t be our approximation of the K-pop hit — it actually had to be one." Ian Eisendrath, executive music producer, to Jason Lipshutz, Billboard (July 2025)
- stated"Golden" comes from K-pop as "the most theatrical genre of pop", in Eisendrath's words"I’ve always thought of K-pop as the most theatrical genre of pop" Ian Eisendrath, to Keisha Hatchett, Netflix Tudum
- inferredthe hide-your-flaws theme "Golden" sets up comes from the pressure to be perfect that EJAE knew from the Korean music industry"Korea can be a very perfectionist country, so you are always pressured to be your “perfect” version, and so I am able to relate to the movie’s storyline." inferred: EJAE says Korea's perfectionism lets her relate to the film's story; she does not say it shaped this song's theme
Where the whole form comes from
- documented"Golden" comes from the K-pop trainee system, through EJAE's more than ten years at SM Entertainment without a debut"EJAE, who trained for over a decade as a singer under SM Entertainment but never debuted" Hwang Jee-young, Korea JoongAng Daily (August 6, 2025)
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