EJAE Steps Into the Spotlight with Debut Single “In Another World” After “KPop Demon Hunters” Success
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A rising force in music, EJAE is embarking on a new chapter in her career, releasing her first single as a solo artist, “In Another World,” following her acclaimed work as the voice of Rumi in the global phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters.”
EJAE, previously known for her behind-the-scenes contributions as a songwriter, is now stepping into the forefront, a move she describes as both exhilarating and daunting. Having already garnered recognition as one of Variety’s 10 Artisans to Watch in Songwriting, she’s eager for audiences to connect with a different side of her artistry.
From Behind the Scenes to Center Stage
For years, EJAE honed her craft as a songwriter, contributing to hits for artists like Red Velvet with “Psycho” and, most notably, providing the vocals for Rumi, the beloved character from the fictional girl group Huntr/X in the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The film’s soundtrack spawned four Billboard Top 10 songs, catapulting Huntr/X to international stardom and bringing EJAE’s talent to a wider audience.
“I’ve always been a songwriter, and that was always the first thing,” EJAE explained in a recent interview. “I guess the only difference between a songwriter and artist, for me at least, is that I’m having people hear all my demos. But now, it’s not a demo; it’s the final form.”
This transition isn’t without its anxieties. “Behind the scenes, I’m hiding,” she admitted. “But when you’re bringing your whole self to it, you’re allowing people to judge you. So I think that’s the scary part.”
“In Another World”: A Song Rooted in Personal Reflection
“In Another World,” co-written with Ted Andreville and Breagh Isabel, and produced alongside Vitals and Daniel Rojas, is a deeply personal exploration of relationships and self-acceptance. EJAE penned the lyrics during a songwriting camp in Canada two years ago, amidst a period of uncertainty in her personal life.
The song delves into the “what ifs” of a relationship, questioning what might have been had circumstances been different. “It inspired this idea of, what if we met at a time when I didn’t have my baggage?” she shared. “What would that be like? And if we decided not to be together, what’s a way for me to be OK with that decision to let it go?”
EJAE hopes the song resonates with listeners facing their own challenges. “Songwriting is what defines my artistry,” she said. “I personally wish that the song receives more attention than me, and that’s the main goal. I want people to feel what I felt when I was listening to music. Music helped me get through a hard time. Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ helped me get through a really difficult period, and I wish that’s what this song brings to other people as well.”
Organic Timing and a Broader Artistic Vision
The release of “In Another World” comes on the heels of the continued success of “KPop Demon Hunters,” a confluence of events EJAE describes as organic. The film’s popularity sparked curiosity about the voice behind Rumi, leading fans to request more of EJAE’s singing.
“I feel like people have already been hearing my lyrics and message,” she noted. “It was just through a different messenger. The difference is that I’m the one now who’s actually singing it.”
EJAE is keen to avoid being pigeonholed into a specific genre. “As an artist, I don’t want myself to be boxed into being a ‘K-pop’ artist because I don’t really view myself as a K-pop artist or a pop artist. I view myself as a songwriter of every genre.”
A Visual Companion: The “In Another World” Music Video
The single is accompanied by a music video that expands on the song’s themes of self-reflection and alternate paths. According to EJAE, the video serves as “a love letter to my younger self,” depicting her playing the piano as both a child and an adult, representing the collision of past and present. “’In Another World’ can mean so many different things,” she explained. “It evolved into this thing where, as a kid, I chose a different path.”
Watch the music video below.
EJAE plans to continue releasing music, carefully selecting songs that resonate with her and connect with audiences. “It’s just about picking and choosing what is right for me, what I want to speak on, and what I feel people can relate to,” she said. “It doesn’t always have to be a sad song. It could be anything.”
This interview has been edited and condensed.
