‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singer EJAE on Her Debut Single ‘In Another World,’ Future Music and Not Being ‘Boxed Into Being a K-Pop Artist’

Singer-songwriter EJAE is stepping decisively into the spotlight with her first solo single, "In Another World," a move that signals a major career shift from behind-the-scenes creator to front-and-center artist. The release, which includes a conceptually rich music video, represents a venture into what she calls "unknown territory." For an artist accustomed to providing demos for others, presenting a finished piece of her own work to the world is described as both an exhilarating and daunting experience.

EJAE's musical credentials are already well-established. She gained international acclaim as the singing voice for the character Rumi in the Netflix animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters." The film's fictional girl group, Huntr/X, saw extraordinary success, with four of its tracks breaking into the Billboard Top 10. This high-profile project and her songwriting skill led to her recognition as one of Variety’s 10 Artisans to Watch in Songwriting. With "Demon Hunters" continuing its record-breaking run, EJAE felt the moment was right to answer growing fan interest in her own vocal talents. "In Another World" was co-written with Ted Andreville and Breagh Isabel, and produced by that duo alongside Vitals and Daniel Rojas.

Speaking to Variety about her new role, EJAE explained, "Songwriting has always been my foundation. The fundamental change is that listeners are now hearing the final master instead of a rough demo. It's thrilling, but also frightening to be so exposed; you're opening your whole self up for judgment." Her aim is for the music itself to be the focus, not her personal life, hoping the track's emotional core connects with audiences. She drew a parallel to how Adele's "Someone Like You" provided her solace during a tough time. Industry analyst Maria Chen observed, "Transitioning from ghostwriter to lead artist is a strategic gamble, but her deep industry credibility offers a launchpad most newcomers don't have."

The song's origins are deeply personal, conceived two years ago at a Canadian songwriting camp during a critical juncture in her relationship with her fiancé. It delves into the idea of parallel existences, questioning what a love might look like unburdened by past struggles. EJAE likened the process to the 1998 film "Sliding Doors," which examines divergent life paths. "Writing it became a form of therapy," she noted, "allowing me to find peace in my actual relationship by imagining an idealized version in a different dimension." This exploration of duality and self-acceptance thematically echoes her work on "KPop Demon Hunters," a story about embracing one's inner conflicts.

In the accompanying music video, the theme of converging realities is brought to life, depicting EJAE interchanging between her childhood and adult selves at the piano. She describes the song as a "love letter to my younger self," a reflection on the various directions her life could have taken. While her association with a major K-pop project is notable, EJAE resists being confined to any single genre, identifying primarily as a versatile songwriter. "In Another World" is now available across all major streaming services.