The long road of a trainee who never debuted, and why the journey mattered more than the final outcome

The fever around the Netflix-inspired K-pop Demon Hunters project shows no sign of cooling, as its theme song Golden climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard chart last week. After eight consecutive weeks at the top, it slipped to No. 13 before rebounding, a testament to the song’s enduring appeal. The performer behind the track, Ijae (real name Kim Eun-jae), reflected on the journey during a recent television appearance, highlighting a path defined by persistence rather than immediate reward.

Ijae’s path is widely known for its hardships: she spent 12 years as a trainee at the major label SM Entertainment, where trainees are effectively interns in a continuum toward debut. The adolescence she spent—from age 11 to 23—in a practice room stands in stark contrast to peers who eventually debuted in groups like Girls’ Generation, SHINee, f(x), and Red Velvet. She has candidly spoken about the sacrifices involved, noting, “I feel sorry for young Ijae; I sacrificed so much.” The road to debut in the idol world is narrow, with many talent pools not making it to the stage; some groups even disband within days of their debut.

As the years passed, the chances of debut dwindled, and the trainee contract ended when she was 23. She recounts the moment of collapse on the way home after contracting the end of her path, crying in a taxi, and wondering why her hard work did not translate into a debut. Yet music persisted as her compass, and she turned to composition, a decision that ultimately helped fuel a global rise more than a decade later.

The narrative is not only about the glitter of a debut but the value of the journey itself. Even without an official debut, the time spent refining craft left an imprint that transcends the destination. The piece also draws a parallel with broader messages about success, arguing that the time invested in the process can be meaningful in its own right, especially for those who persist in their art.

Netf ix’s film and ensuing media appearances further underscore this theme, as the story of a would-be idol who persisted and evolved resonates with audiences who value resilience over the final spotlight. The takeaway is that chasing a dream—and the discipline, heartbreak, and growth along the way—can be an end in itself, even when the official milestones remain elusive.