EJAE, who worked on the OST for the film "KPop Demon Hunters" and handled the vocals for “Golden,” opened up about the performance’s behind-the-scenes moments at the Oscars.
At a press conference on April 1 at CGV Yongsan in Seoul celebrating "KPop Demon Hunters"’ Academy Award win, EJAE talked about the “Golden” stage that went viral worldwide after the ceremony. “Honestly, I cried a lot during rehearsal after seeing the stage. I was performing with Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, and they didn’t know much about Korean culture. I was proud we could showcase gugak and pansori―our traditional sound―on such a big stage,” she said.
The “Golden” performance at the Oscars wasn’t just about a Best Original Song nominee. It was a full-scale showcase of Korean traditional culture―Korean dance, pansori, and janggu―that captivated both eyes and ears.
The opening, which seemed to homage the film’s first scene, featured a female traditional vocalist in hanbok, a dancer in a gat that evoked “Saja Boys,” and about 20 samulnori musicians filling the stage. After about a minute of traditional performance, EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna appeared and performed “Golden.”
From backstage, EJAE heard the traditional Korean melodies ring out. “I felt satisfied and moved. Hearing those melodies gave me confidence,” she said.
The crowd helped complete the moment. Top Hollywood directors and actors waved lightsticks and got swept up in the “Golden” hype. Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone, and Steven Spielberg’s enthusiastic reactions especially stood out.
Looking back, EJAE said, “I purposely didn’t look at the directors and actors waving lightsticks. I was afraid my voice would shake. I only checked after the ceremony ended.” She added with a laugh, “I didn’t expect DiCaprio to hold a lightstick. It was surreal. Seeing all the directors and actors with lightsticks made me feel the power of K-culture.”
Previously, EJAE performed “Golden” with Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna at the British Academy Awards as well. After that show, a postscript that she “made a mistake because she locked eyes with Leonardo DiCaprio and got nervous” drew attention. At the Oscars, it seems she avoided a repeat by focusing solely on the stage.
Korean American artist EJAE contributed to the Academy Award for Best Original Song as a co-composer and lyricist of “Golden.” She also provided Rumi’s vocals on the track and earned praise with multiple live performances throughout the Oscar race.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
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