'K-Pop Demon Hunters' EJae opens up about 12 years as SM trainee, "I used to resent K-pop because I couldn’t achieve my dream”

EJae, the composer behind the Billboard chart-topping OST "Golden" from Netflix's animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' tearfully opened up about her painful memories as a former SM Entertainment trainee.

On the October 20 episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' a preview segment featured EJae's touching story.

Host Yoo Jae Suk expressed excitement as EJae appeared on the show and said, "Didn't you sing together as a trio? That was so cool." Yoo Jae Suk also introduced EJae's spectacular achievement recently and explained she had appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and topped both U.S. and U.K. charts, and has been gaining global attention for her recent success.

During the show, EJae reflected on her past and revealed, "I was a trainee at SM Entertainment for 12 years. Back then, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, and f(x) were active. I trained really hard, too."

However, despite more than a decade of effort, she ultimately had to leave the company without debuting. She reflected, "I cried in the taxi on my way home after my contract ended. I realized no matter how hard I tried, sometimes things just don't work out," recalling the emotional time.

She continued to speak while fighting back the tears and said, "I felt so sorry for myself and hated myself for not being able to achieve my dream of becoming a singer."  EJae then confessed, "For a month, I kept crying and just slept. I had deep emotional wounds related to idols and K-pop. I resented the industry a lot."

When Yoo Jae Suk asked what she did after leaving SM, EJae replied, "Since I loved music, I decided to try making it myself. I stayed at cafes until closing time, constantly making beats." She then revealed she composed several major K-pop hits, including Red Velvet's "Psycho" and aespa's "Drama" and "Armageddon."