EJAE Shows Her Vulnerable Side In New Single, ’In Another World’

EJAE is prepared to reveal her real self in her own voice.

After weeks of teasing her launching single, the 33-year-old Korean American singer-songwriter lastly launches “In Another World” today, showcasing her large, emotional singing variety while highlighting her effective and sincere lyrics that integrate in characteristics.

As among the singing voices and songwriters for the hit Netflix animated movie KPop Devil Hunters, EJAE never ever anticipated it would cause her launching her own music. She was induced to compose the music and supply the singing voice for Rumi, the lead. After finishing the movie, she carried on to her next jobs, uninformed that it would end up being a worldwide phenomenon that would move her to fame.

KPop Devil Hunters exceeded, ending up being Netflix’s most popular film of perpetuity, with the very first soundtrack to have 4 tunes in the Leading 10 of the Signboard Hot 100 at the same time, and her tune, “Golden,” reached No. 1 on the Signboard 200 for 8 weeks (and counting!). This month, the soundtrack ended up being licensed Platinum by the RIAA. “Golden,” which she co-wrote, has awards buzz all over it.

EJAE discovers all the success from the movie so “surreal.” She has actually constantly felt insecure about her singing voice, to the point of flinching at the idea of her voice being played in the theater throughout the movie’s best. She wasn’t utilized to her voice being so applauded and cherished by many.

It made good sense when you discovered her history: she invested her teenage years as a K-pop student, intending to launching. Frequently, she would get so close, however then deal with rejection once again. After those student days concerned an end, she discovered solace in her songwriting, where she felt most comfy, producing hits for numerous K-pop acts, consisting of aespa, NMIXX, LE SSERAFIM, and two times, to name a few.

” To be sincere, popularity terrifies me a bit,” EJAE states over Zoom from her Brooklyn home, days before her single release. “Being a songwriter was deliberate. It was never ever quiting on this artist or vocalist gig. It was really deliberate due to the fact that songwriting healthy my character. I liked lagging the scenes. Popularity indicates you’re putting yourself out there to be evaluated. I do not believe I have thick adequate skin for that. Even now, I’m frightened.”

She is glad to be in her 30s when she discovered success, surrounded by a strong support group, crediting all the fans, coworkers, media, buddies, and household for offering her self-confidence in her own voice. However a basic discussion about what it indicates to be an artist triggered her to launch her own music. After she informed them she was uncertain about ending up being an artist, they stated to her that an artist is somebody who produces art, which she didn’t require to be boxed into what an artist indicates.

“[Artistry] constantly modifications with every generation,” she remembers. “I feel what an artist is really about is being yourself. If artistry is individual customizing, then it’s songwriting for me. Our support as songwriters is getting a tune cut and wishing to reveal it to the world. I understand my story is something that a great deal of individuals resonate with, and I enjoy that my story can assist others.”

It’s why she chose “In Another World” was the best launching tune. She at first composed it about her relationship with her now-fiancé throughout a rough spot. They had actually taken a healthy break while pondering their future. She started thinking back, going over with her co-writers about how to deal with the discomfort if the break ended up being a ‘separation.’

” For me, it really was the concept of accepting that he and I are okay individuals,” she describes. “In this life time, we have specific luggage that made us not exercise. Accepting this luggage and the devils was really recovery. So “In Another World” is me envisioning another world where I do not have that luggage [or the demons] and I own up to it. What would that resemble? It would be terrific, and understanding that provided me relief that it’s not you or me that is the concern. It’s that our luggage was simply bad.”

Composing the tune felt cathartic for the vocalist. It assisted her as time passed, and they ultimately reunited even more powerful. As she dealt with the tune even more, she understood it was not almost her relationship with her partner however likewise about her relationship with her inner kid. She typically thinks of her more youthful self– so pure and innocent, with imagine ending up being a vocalist– and what would have taken place if she had actually pursued that course, assessing her life now and permitting her to let go of that dream.

” When I consider having various life times, it makes me feel excellent and feel less pressure on myself that I needed to do this,” she exposes. “That’s what the tune indicated to me. It’s accepting the truth of myself, and it actually did assist me grow.”

In the video, old household video footage of young EJAE singing in choir and playing the piano works as a reflection on her previous life before she selected the course she’s on now. She wished to reveal the various worlds she’s lived: one that imagined ending up being a vocalist; one who ended up being a songwriter, who resigned to staying in the background; and now, one entering this brand-new world as an artist who includes all of it.

” For a long time, there was this world of little EJAE imagining ending up being a vocalist, however then, my world was being a songwriter, not a vocalist,” she describes. “I sort of let that dream go, since that was ‘In Another World’. I’m alright with the world I’m residing in now and have actually accepted it. Today, I remain in this world where that imagine that little lady playing the piano is satisfied. It’s a fascinating and lovely sort of coincidence. It’s simply revealing the various methods which life can take you. It’s so relatable to any person.”

With her several years in the market, both in Korean and Western music and culture, EJAE is prepared for anything. She lives her life with the mantra, “Whatever occurs for a factor,” which assists put the pressure off her on many levels, using it to whatever in her life, including her Tonight Program Starring Jimmy Fallon efficiency.

” If I didn’t carry out well, I make certain it’s for a factor,” she mentions. “I have actually been declined many times in my life that I believed it was completion of my world. However I understood that rejection is what led me to where I am right now. Every rejection and little motion in my life was all deliberate. I discover it interesting.”

Although EJAE has actually discovered abrupt popularity, she is identified to do her finest and keep choosing her music profession– whether that be composing or carrying out. She does not wish to end up being an idol and even admired, due to the fact that she states she’s “hella flawed” and “makes errors all the time.” Rather, she desires fans to concentrate on her music, hoping it might assist somebody.

” I really owe my artistry to my songwriting,” she states. “My vocals are simply going to be the vessel to my writing, and I require to clarify songwriters due to the fact that it’s not simply me. Every line in the music and tune is deliberate.”

She explains that she likewise wishes to utilize her appeal to boost others behind the scenes, where she when was. She does not simply compose the lyrics to the tunes; it’s likewise her co-writers, who provide a piece of themselves when they compose together.

” I understand what it appears like, having actually been through a lot and seen how awful [the industry] can be on the sidelines,” she confesses. “I feel ready to understand how to utilize this [platform], not totally delving into it, however attempting to tread gently. I wish to utilize it for excellent, so being deliberate has actually constantly been my greatest thing.”

She intends on launching more tunes in the future, perhaps in both English and Korean. She does not wish to be boxed as simply a K-pop or pop vocalist– she’s both. She’s done it before in songwriting, composing both English and Korean, and in numerous categories, sounds, and principles. Why should her own music be restricted?

” I wish to have the ability to enter various methods and categories, and make my variation of it,” she states. “So if it’s a baddie tune with my voice or if Red Velour is singing it, it still has my touch. It’s simply this time, I’m singing it. For the KPop Devil Hunters soundtrack, you heard me rap and sing a really lady crush tune, ballad, and R&B. I believe that’s my ambiance. I wish to be a chameleon in my own method.”

EJAE’s single “In Another World” is now offered on all streaming platforms

Correction 10/23/2025: Images have actually been changed.