Ejae, the singer behind the hit song "Golden" from the film KPop Demon Hunters, has shared her lingering discomfort from a performance at the BAFTAs, an event she described as "haunting." The singer, 34, stated that she was particularly unnerved by Leonardo DiCaprio's presence in the audience during a crucial high note.
During her first performance in the United Kingdom, Ejae experienced a vocal crack on a high note while singing in front of numerous Hollywood celebrities. "The BAFTAs haunt me," Ejae told Sunday Times STYLE magazine. "I made mistakes. I cracked a little bit on the high notes. Leonardo DiCaprio was [in the audience] right in front of me and he was not smiling."
Ejae explained that her gaze locked with DiCaprio's just before she was to hit a challenging note in the song. "That's what put me off. He made me so nervous," she said. "It was already so nerve-racking to be in front of all these celebrities, and then I look up and lock eyes with Leonardo DiCaprio? Come on."
In contrast, Ejae found a performance at the Brit Awards a week later to be less intimidating because it was for fans. "Because it was performing to fans, kids being like 'Rumi, you got this!' I never knew that sentence would be so heartwarming and helpful," she recalled.
Despite the apparent mistake at the BAFTAs, some viewers praised Ejae for her resilience. Comments noted the parallel to the film, with some appreciating her ability to overcome the initial crack and deliver the rest of the song. Others commended the performers for not lip-syncing, preferring authenticity.
Ejae's career has seen significant growth since her song "Golden," featured in KPop Demon Hunters, achieved global success. The song's original track won an Oscar for Best Original Song, an achievement Ejae accepted on stage with her co-writers. She expressed pride in the international reception of K-Pop and Korean lyrics, especially after facing skepticism about her musical interests growing up.
However, her Oscar acceptance speech was notably cut short by play-off music, sparking outrage among viewers who felt it was disrespectful to the artists and a historic moment. Social media users expressed frustration, calling the interruption a "disgrace" and "ridiculous."
Ejae's journey highlights the demanding nature of the K-pop industry, where performers can undergo extensive training. The industry has faced scrutiny for alleged issues including grueling training regimens, weigh-ins, pressure for cosmetic surgery, and restrictive contracts.