Ejae solo debut officially begins with her first single, “In Another World,” set for release on October 24. The Korean American singer-songwriter, best known for the viral track “Golden,” is stepping into the spotlight after years behind the scenes. Ejae gained widespread recognition through her work on the animated film KPop Demon Hunters. She voiced Rumi and wrote “Golden,” a hit praised for its emotion and powerful message.
Now, she is launching her own solo project. During a press conference in Seoul, she said her debut single is deeply personal. She described “In Another World” as a song that, like “Golden,” draws from her own life and inner struggles. Although Ejae built her career in songwriting, she admitted that performing her own music was never part of her original plan. However, the positive response to “Golden” encouraged her to take the next step.
“I never saw myself as an artist,” she shared. “But the love I received gave me confidence to sing my own songs.” She also spoke about her past as a trainee at SM Entertainment, where she spent over a decade preparing for idol life. Those years, she said, shaped her perspective and helped her write songs with genuine emotion and authenticity.
Ejae explained that her connection to Rumi, the perfectionist protagonist of KPop Demon Hunters, inspired her approach to both storytelling and music. Like Rumi, she once felt pressured to change her voice to fit industry norms. Over time, she learned to embrace her natural tone. “When I wrote ‘Golden,’ I imagined it as a real K-pop song,” she said. “Even without the movie, I think it could’ve stood on its own.”
Looking forward, Ejae has big dreams. She hopes to collaborate with artists like Aespa and BTS’s Jungkook in Korea, and Dua Lipa or Sabrina Carpenter in the West. More importantly, she believes K-pop’s global success should remain rooted in Korean identity. She emphasized that blending cultures works best when the Korean core stays intact.
“K-pop should show Korean culture,” she said. “It’s fine to mix styles, but the heart should stay Korean.” With the Ejae solo debut and the release of “In Another World,” the artist enters a new phase of her career—one marked by emotional storytelling, personal growth, and a voice now fully her own.
