EJAE (born December 6, 1991), whose birth name is Kim Eun-jae, is a South Korean-American singer-songwriter, composer, and music producer. She is internationally known for co-writing songs for Netflix’s animated musical film KPop Demon Hunters (2025) and providing the singing voice of Rumi, a member of the fictional girl group HUNTR/X.
Before gaining worldwide recognition as a performer, EJAE spent years training to become a K-pop idol and subsequently established herself as a songwriter and vocal producer for major Korean artists. Her career represents a transition from the idol training system to professional songwriting and international recording success.
Early Life and Education
EJAE was born in Seoul, South Korea, on December 6, 1991. She spent part of her childhood in the United States before continuing her education and musical development in South Korea and the United States.
She later attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying music and psychology. Her education helped her develop the musical and creative skills that would become central to her career as a songwriter and producer.
Career
SM Entertainment Trainee
EJAE began training under SM Entertainment as a child, around 2003. She spent approximately a decade preparing to debut as a K-pop idol, studying singing, performance, and the demands of the Korean pop music industry.
Despite her extensive training, she did not debut as a member of an idol group. She eventually shifted her focus toward songwriting and music production, using her experience within the trainee system to understand how songs are developed for artists, performances, and recordings.
Her years as a trainee later became an important part of the story behind her work on KPop Demon Hunters, whose themes include identity, self-acceptance, and the pressures of pursuing perfection.
Songwriting and Music Production
EJAE developed a career behind the scenes as a songwriter, composer, and vocal producer. She became known for creating melodies, lyrics, and vocal arrangements for established K-pop artists.
One of her best-known early credits is Red Velvet’s “Psycho,” released in 2019. She also contributed to songs by artists including aespa, TWICE, LE SSERAFIM, and NMIXX.
Selected songwriting and production credits include:
- Red Velvet: “Psycho”
- aespa: “Drama” and “Armageddon”
- TWICE: “Last Waltz”
- LE SSERAFIM: “So Cynical (Badum)”
- NMIXX: “O.O” and “DICE”
These credits helped establish EJAE as a songwriter working across different styles of contemporary K-pop before her own voice became widely recognized internationally.
KPop Demon Hunters
EJAE’s international breakthrough came through KPop Demon Hunters, the Netflix animated musical film released in 2025. The film follows HUNTR/X, a fictional K-pop girl group whose members secretly protect the world from supernatural threats.
EJAE provides the singing voice of Rumi, the group’s leader. Actress Arden Cho provides Rumi’s speaking voice, while EJAE performs the character’s songs.
EJAE became involved with the film’s music during its development and recorded early song demos that helped establish the soundtrack’s musical direction. She contributed songwriting, vocal performances, harmonies, and vocal production to the project.
Her contributions include songs such as:
- “Golden” — performed by HUNTR/X and co-written by EJAE.
- “How It’s Done” — a HUNTR/X song to which EJAE contributed.
- “Your Idol” — a song associated with the rival fictional boy group Saja Boys, with EJAE among its contributors.
“Golden” became the soundtrack’s defining international hit, reaching the top of major music charts and attracting a global audience. The song’s success introduced EJAE to listeners who may not previously have known her work as a songwriter.
Solo Recording Career
Following the success of KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE expanded her work as a recording artist beyond songwriting and soundtrack performances.
Her solo releases mark a new phase in a career that previously focused largely on writing and producing music for other performers. She has continued to work across pop, K-pop, and soundtrack music.
Musical Style and Approach
EJAE’s work combines elements of contemporary K-pop, pop, R&B, and soundtrack music. Her experience as both a songwriter and a vocalist allows her to approach songs from the perspectives of melody, lyrical storytelling, vocal performance, and production.
Her work on KPop Demon Hunters also reflects the relationship between character development and music: songs are written not only to function as pop releases but also to communicate the emotions and experiences of the film’s characters.
Awards and Achievements
EJAE’s work on KPop Demon Hunters brought recognition from major entertainment and music award organizations. “Golden” received significant international acclaim, and EJAE shared songwriting recognition for the song.
Her major career milestones include:
- International recognition as the singing voice of Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters.
- Co-writing “Golden,” one of the film’s most successful songs.
- Songwriting credits for prominent K-pop artists before her breakthrough as a performer.
- Recognition associated with the film’s success at major award ceremonies.
Award categories and wins should be listed individually when verified against the official records of the relevant organizations.
Discography
Selected Songs and Soundtrack Contributions
| Song | Project or artist |
|---|---|
| “Psycho” | Red Velvet |
| “Drama” | aespa |
| “Armageddon” | aespa |
| “Golden” | KPop Demon Hunters |
| “How It’s Done” | KPop Demon Hunters |
| “Your Idol” | KPop Demon Hunters |
This is a selection of notable songwriting and soundtrack credits, not a complete discography. Songwriting, vocal performance, and production credits differ by track.
Related Entities
- KPop Demon Hunters — the animated film that brought EJAE international recognition.
- HUNTR/X — the fictional girl group in which EJAE performs as Rumi’s singing voice.
- Rumi — the main character whose singing voice is provided by EJAE.
- Red Velvet — the K-pop group whose song “Psycho” is among EJAE’s notable songwriting credits.
- aespa — the K-pop group for which EJAE has songwriting credits.
References
- GRAMMY.com — EJAE’s career and work on KPop Demon Hunters: https://www.grammy.com/news/who-is-ejae-singer-songwriter-k-pop-demon-hunters/
- AllMusic — EJAE biography and selected music credits: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ejae-mn0003749764
- Gold House — EJAE profile: https://goldhouse.org/people/ejae/
- Vanity Fair — interview about the creation of “Golden”: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-ejae-interview
Category: Entertainment
Latest News
- EJAE Marries Music Producer Sam Kim in Seoul Wedding (October 23, 2026)