‘Golden’ Almost Didn’t Make It into Kpop Demon Hunters—Here’s the True-Life Inspiration Behind the Song
Jason Pham
“Golden” has become the face (or ears) of Kpop Demon Hunters, but fans may be surprised to know that the song almost didn’t make it into the movie as the last track written for the film.
“Golden,” written by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, and Teddy for Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters, is the climax song from the animated movie in which the fictional K-pop girl group Huntrix sings about finding confidence despite their challenges. At the time of writing, the song has charted in more than 30 countries and was certified as 2x Platinum or higher in eight. Sung by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the song also has received several awards, including a Golden Globe and Grammy. IT also became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy Award after taking home the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2026 show.
What do the “Golden” lyrics mean?
In an interview with The Credits in 2025, EJAE, who co-wrote “Golden” and also voices Rumi’s singing voice in Kpop Demon Hunters, revealed how the song came together. “The directors gave us the guidelines for what the scene was about. In Demon Hunters, they had teams of songwriters and scenes we were in charge of, but they’d have other writers work on it if they didn’t like what we’d done,” she said. “‘Golden’ was the last song we worked on, but it’s the ‘I Want’ song, and the introduction of all the characters and what their problems and goals are, so it was very important. It was also an anti-victory song. For example, you hear Rumi sing on the bridge about not hiding anymore, at exactly the same time, she’s hiding her true self. She’s so focused on being perfect in the Honmoon, striving for that goal, so desperate, that she’s ruining herself. I really related to that on so many levels. As much as it’s a hopeful song, it’s also bittersweet.”
She also told Variety that the melody for “Golden” came to her while she was on the way to the dentist. “That was the first thing that I came up with,” she said. “I actually wrote the melody on my way to the dentist.” As for the lyrics, EJAE told Variety that the song exemplifies Rumi’s vulnerabilities in the movie. “She’s incredibly hardworking and has that leadership. She puts her best foot forward, but she tries to hide her imperfections and flaws,” she said. The lyrics also mirror EJAE’s own struggles as a K-pop trainee. “Going through that experience helped a lot in writing and emoting the melody and lyrics,” she said.
“Golden” lyrics in English and Korean
I was a ghost, I was alone
어두워진 앞길 속에 (ah)
Given the throne, I didn’t know how to believe
I was the queen that I’m meant to be (ah)
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides
But I couldn’t find my own place (oh, oh)
Called a problem child, ’cause I got too wild
But now that’s how I’m gettin’ paid, 끝없이 on stage
I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
We dreamin’ hard, we came so far
Now I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowin’
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up with our voices
영원히 깨질 수 없는
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
Waited so long to break these walls down
To wake up and feel like me
Put these patterns all in the past now
And finally live like the girl they all see
No more hidin’, I’ll be shinin’
Like I’m born to be
‘Cause we are hunters, voices strong
And I know I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowin’
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up with our voices
영원히 깨질 수 없는
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
You know we’re gonna be, gonna be golden (oh)
We’re gonna be, gonna be – (oh)
Born to be, born to be glowin’ (oh)
밝게 빛나는 우린
You know that it’s our time, no fears, no lies (oh, oh)
That’s who we’re born to be
“Golden” lyrics translated in English
I was a ghost, I was alone
In the darkness, a pressured path (Hah)
Given the throne, I didn’t know how to believe (Hah)
I was the queen that I’m meant to be (Ah)
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides
But I couldn’t find my own place (Oh, oh)
Called a problem child ’cause I got too wild
But now that’s how I’m getting paid, endlessly on stage
I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
We dreamin’ hard, we came so far
Now I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up
It’s our moment
You know together we’rе glowin’
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up
With our voicеs
Unbreakable forever
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
Waited so long to break these walls down
To wake up and feel like me
Put these patterns all in the past now
And finally live like the girl they all see
No more hiding, I’ll be shining
Like I’m born to be
‘Cause we are hunters, voices strong
And I know I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up
It’s our moment
You know together we’re glowing
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up
With our voices
Unbreakable forever
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
You know we’re gonna be, gonna be golden (Oh)
We’re gonna be, gonna be (Oh)
Born to be, born to be glowin’ (Oh)
We are shining brightly
You know that it’s our time, no fears, no lies (Oh, oh)
That’s who we’re born to be
