How K-Pop Demon Hunters Star EJAE Topped the Charts

Can you tell me a little bit about the story behind “Golden” and how you knew it was going to be a hit right off the bat?

I mean, in our small circle, yes, it was a hit but certainly not of this caliber at all. The melody came quite immediately. It was on my way to the dentist.

Most inspired.

By the way, having a gold filling. So the tune came really quickly, but when we finished it, I did this session with Mark [Sonnenblick]My assistant, right after, and Mark were very excited. I was like, “I have this tune.” He heard it and was like, “Oh my God, that’s amazing.” So when we finished the whole song and the lyrics, we just looked at ourselves and we were like, “Wow, I think it’s a smash.”

Is there a formula for creating a K-pop hit or an algorithm for it, or is it different every time?

For a K-pop hit, a US hit and a global hit, it’s completely different. I think for K-pop hits, being hooky is definitely important. Global hit, I’ve noticed, is a concept that everyone can relate to—everyone knows what “golden” means. Everyone has a sense of hope in their life, especially right now. This is also important in the US. So I think universally, when the idea is really good and it’s easy to say, and when there’s a good melody and a great message, you have a hit.

Why do you think the intense political climate at the moment has stopped this film and this song?

I think so. A friend of mine told me that her friend had a baby, and Kpop Demon Hunter Bringing light to their child that they can hold and focus on right now and ignore the dark times right now. It brings them hope. It has a really beautiful message, it wants to love all of themselves, all their flaws and all their good parts too.