Jaehwa Bernardo

Singer-songwriter Ejae. Photo from Ejae's Instagram account

Article (news)

Before Rumi: 5 K-pop singles by Ejae of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175513384077500.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Singer-songwriter Ejae. <em>Photo from Ejae&#x27;s Instagram account</em></span></span></span></div><p>In recent months, songs from Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” have climbed the charts and gone viral on social media, inspiring covers from artists worldwide. At the heart of the soundtrack’s appeal is Korean-American singer-songwriter Ejae.</p><p>The 33-year-old artist, whose real name is Kim Eun-jae, provides the singing voice for Rumi, vocalist of the film’s protagonist group Huntrix. Her rich, emotive vocals shine on several tracks, including the heartfelt ballad “Free” (with Andrew Choi), the rousing finale “What It Sounds Like”, and the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/8/12/-golden-from-kpop-demon-hunters-reaches-no-1-on-billboard-hot-100-1224"><strong>Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Golden,”</strong></a> where she soars through the chorus’s high notes.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755133542333KPOP DEMON HUNTERS PREMIERE SCREENING ❤️💗 thank you to @netflix @sonyanimation ! Thank you to t.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ejae attends the premiere screening of &#x27;KPop Demon Hunters.&#x27; <em>Photo from Ejae&#x27;s Instagram account</em></span></span></span></div><p>But behind her distinct tone lies a gift for crafting memorable songs. Apart from voicing Rumi, Ejae is also credited as a songwriter on several of the film’s tracks, including “Golden.” In fact, prior to the film, she has written for a number of popular K-pop acts such as Red Velvet, aespa, NMIXX and Le Sserafim, among others.</p><p>Ejae’s connection to K-pop goes way back. She spent a decade training at major label SM Entertainment, according to reports. Although she never realized her dream of becoming an idol, the granddaughter of actor and politician Shin Young-kyun took a different path, channeling her love for music into songwriting instead.</p><p>“Over time, I realized I was more passionate about songwriting than performing,” Ejae <a href="https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-08-06/entertainment/kpop/KPop-Demon-Hunters-songwriter-EJAE-finally-hits-the-big-time-after-Golden-climbs-charts-globally/2368304"><strong>told</strong></a> the Korea JoongAng Daily.</p><p>Below are five K-pop singles that carry Ejae’s mark as a songwriter.</p><div><strong>Red Velvet, “Psycho” (2019)</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uR8Mrt1IpXg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Released at the end of 2019, “Psycho” became one of Red Velvet’s most loved and acclaimed songs, praised by both fans and music critics. The track was created during an SM Entertainment songwriting camp in 2017, and co-written with Los Angeles-based producer Andrew Scott, Swedish songwriter Cazzi Opeia and K-pop hitmaker Kenzie. Here, Ejae <a href="https://www.koreaherald.com/article/2225924"><strong>reportedly</strong></a> contributed the topline or the song’s melodies and lyrics.</p><div><strong>NMIXX, “O.O” (2022)</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3GWscde8rM8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Co-written by Ejae, Dr.JO (153/Joombas), and several composers from The Hub, “O.O” served as the debut single for NMIXX. While the song sparked mixed reactions upon release, its bold blend of genres (including baile funk and pop-rock) effectively introduced the girl group’s signature “MIXXPOP” sound. In an Instagram post, Ejae shared she specifically “wrote the [second] half of the song,” did vocal arrangements and sang the background vocals.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/4/3/change-up-dive-into-k-pop-group-nmixx-s-genre-blending-music-0654"><strong>READ: Dive into K-pop group NMIXX’s genre-blending music<br/></strong></a></div><div><strong>KARD , “Icky” (2023)</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc9CkC6n0Z8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Serving as the title track of KARD’s sixth extended play, “Icky” showcases the co-ed group’s signature sound, largely drawn from moombahton and tropical house, along with lyrics that member BM <a href="https://www.koreaherald.com/article/3132114"><strong>describes</strong></a> as containing “a lot of innuendos.” The song was also <a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/61593/1/the-best-k-pop-tracks-of-2023-jung-kook-newjeans-aespa-bts"><strong>named by Dazed</strong></a> as one of the best K-pop tracks of 2023, hailed as “the grind anthem we deserve.”</p><div><strong>aespa, “Armageddon” (2024)</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFYwcndNuOY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>In 2024, aespa had a standout year marked by a string of solid singles, including “Armageddon,” the lead track from their <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/5/27/k-pop-group-aespa-returns-with-1st-album-armageddon-1601"><strong>first full album</strong></a> of the same name. In an Instagram post, Ejae shared that she co-wrote the song, sang, and arranged the background vocals. It was also her second consecutive title track for the hitmaking quartet, following her work on “Drama.”</p><div><strong>Irene (Red Velvet), “Like A Flower” (2024)</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KdOF5-h4qpw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Red Velvet’s “original visual” Irene <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2024/11/26/red-velvet-s-irene-tackles-courage-in-debut-ep-like-a-flower-1711"><strong>made her solo debut</strong></a> in 2024 with “Like A Flower,” marking another instance of Ejae contributing to a Red Velvet project, albeit featuring only one member. The feel-good, Afro-inspired track has Irene singing about “growing like a flower” and finding the courage to “be more gentle.”</p>

<p>Behind the golden voice of Rumi in 'KPop Demon Hunters' is Ejae, a talented singer-songwriter who has crafted songs for top K-pop acts such as Red Velvet, aespa and TWICE.</p>

Behind the golden voice of Rumi in 'KPop Demon Hunters' is Ejae, a talented singer-songwriter who has crafted songs for top K-pop acts such as Red Velvet, aespa and TWICE.

Before Rumi: 5 K-pop singles penned by Ejae of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Music

Before Rumi: 5 K-pop singles penned by Ejae of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 16, 2025 07:00 AM PHT

Read More:

K-content

Ejae

K-pop

KPop Demon Hunters

Red Velvet

Irene

NMIXX

KARD

aespa

ABSnews

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.