Renowned for lending her voice to Rumi in the blockbuster film KPop Demon Hunters and penning numerous K-pop hits, EJAE has officially stepped into the spotlight with her highly anticipated debut single, “In Another World,” released on October 24, 2025. This deeply personal track marks her transition from a celebrated behind-the-scenes songwriter to a front-facing artist, a journey she describes as both “strange, exciting, and truthfully a little scary.”
The name EJAE has become synonymous with some of the most memorable melodies and heartfelt lyrics in contemporary music, especially after her phenomenal contribution to the Netflix animated hit, KPop Demon Hunters. As the singing voice of the beloved character Rumi, EJAE captivated audiences worldwide, propelling songs like “Golden,” “Your Idol,” and “How It’s Done” to global recognition. Now, she’s ready for her own moment, unveiling her debut single “In Another World.”
The single’s release on October 24, 2025, follows a period of immense exposure for the Korean-American singer-songwriter. Her recent appearance on Saturday Night Live alongside fellow KPop Demon Hunters vocalists Rae Ami and Audrey Nuna, where they performed “Golden” live, underscored her burgeoning public profile. The performance quickly went viral, accumulating over 5 million views on YouTube, as reported by Hankyung.com.
From Behind the Scenes to Center Stage: EJAE’s Evolving Artistry
For years, EJAE, whose birth name is Kim Eun-jae, found comfort and immense success working behind the scenes. A former SM Entertainment trainee, she transitioned to songwriting after moving to the US, quickly becoming a sought-after name in the K-pop industry. Her impressive resume includes co-writing major hits for top groups.
Some of EJAE’s notable songwriting credits include:
- Red Velvet’s “Psycho” and “Birthday”
- aespa’s “Drama” and “Armageddon”
- TWICE’s “Last Waltz”
She also contributed significantly to the soundtrack of KPop Demon Hunters, writing many of its popular songs, including the chart-topping “Golden” which held strong at No. 5 on the UK Official Singles Top 100 as of October 10, according to GMA Integrated News. Her talent as a songwriter earned her recognition as one of Variety’s 10 Artisans to Watch in Songwriting, a testament to her profound impact on the music scene.
Redefining ‘Artist’ on Her Own Terms
The rapid exposure following KPop Demon Hunters‘ success sparked a pivotal realization for EJAE. She candidly shared her initial apprehension in an Instagram letter, stating, “People keep referring to me as an ‘artist’ or a ‘star’ — which is everything 11-year-old EJAE dreamed of, but over the years, I became comfortable behind the scenes and I didn’t think I was meant to be an artist.” This sentiment was further explored in an interview with Variety.
However, she ultimately embraced a broader definition of artistry. “To me, an artist is someone who uses their art to express themselves, and songwriting is my art,” she articulated. For EJAE, songwriting has always been a form of therapy, a way to process emotions and make sense of the world. Her debut single, “In Another World,” represents an opportunity to give life to songs that previously never found the right home, allowing people to “laugh, dance, or cry” with her.
The Deeply Personal Meaning of “In Another World”
Co-written by EJAE, Ted Andreville, and Breagh Isabel, and produced by Isabel, Vitals, and Daniel Rojas, “In Another World” is a profound exploration of personal relationships and acceptance. EJAE revealed to Variety that the song was born during a difficult period in a personal relationship.
She describes the song’s core theme as a “Sliding Doors” situation, where one wonders about alternate realities. “What if we met at a time when I didn’t have my baggage? What would that be like?” she mused, reflecting on the idea of a parallel world without insecurities or past burdens. This perspective helped her accept her reality while finding peace in hypothetical perfection. The track, according to EJAE, mirrors the themes in KPop Demon Hunters, particularly “accepting your demons” as a path to true growth.
A Love Letter to Her Younger Self: The Music Video
The music video accompanying “In Another World” delves into the multifaceted interpretations of its title. Initially inspired by a romantic relationship, the song’s meaning evolved to encompass EJAE‘s childhood journey and the different paths she could have taken.
The visual narrative beautifully portrays this by featuring EJAE playing the piano both as a child and as an adult, symbolizing the collision of these two worlds. It serves as a poignant love letter to her younger self, acknowledging her evolution and the culmination of her dreams.
As EJAE steps into this “unknown territory” of solo artistry, she emphasizes her desire not to be “boxed into being a ‘K-pop’ artist” or any specific genre. Her vision is to continue creating music across all genres, allowing her songwriting — her truest form of expression — to define her artistry. Fans can anticipate more deeply personal and relatable music from this versatile artist in the future.
