Ejae

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Ejae
김은재
Birth nameKim Eun-jae
Born (1991-12-06) December 6, 1991 (age 33)
Seoul, South Korea
Genres
Occupations
Labels
SM Entertainment
Korean name
Hangul
김은재
RRGim Eunjae
MRKim Ŭnjae

Kim Eun-jae (Korean: 김은재; born December 6, 1991), also known by her stage name Ejae (stylized in all caps), is a South Korean and American singer-songwriter and record producer. She is known for her work with Red Velvet, aespa, Twice, Nmixx, Le Sserafim, Kep1er, Billlie, Kard, and other South Korean artists. She is also known for providing the singing voice of the character Rumi in the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters, as well as writing several of the songs on its soundtrack.

Career

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Born in South Korea, Kim started out as a trainee for SM Entertainment for 10 years.[1][2][3] When she wasn't with SM, she was in the US to prioritize her education. She returned to South Korea to study at an international school and prepare for her debut. However, her debut failed, both with a group and as a soloist, as she was considered to be too old.[2] Eventually, she moved to the US full-time.[2][4]

Kim transitioned to songwriting and producing. Her first big break came when she co-wrote the topline for "Psycho" for Red Velvet,[4][5] which went on to be certified gold in the US.[1] It led to more opportunities to work with SM Entertainment.[1][4] In 2019, she was featured on the soundtrack of the K-drama Woman of 9.9 Billion.[6]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim co-wrote "Drama" for aespa.[7] She also helped co-produce the Girl Crush K-pop Vocals sample pack for producing k-pop songs.[4][8] In 2022, she worked with Red Velvet again on the lead single "Birthday".[9]

In 2025, Kim signed with Prescription Songs, an independent music publisher.[10] In April of that year, it was announced that she would be featured on the soundtrack of the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters.[11] She also wrote several of the songs on the soundtrack.[12][13][14] Director Maggie Kang attributed Kim's demos as one of the reasons the film was greenlit; Kim explained she had co-written and recorded "most of the demos" for the film when the directors then asked her to be the official singing voice for the character Rumi.[15] The film received positive reviews for its soundtrack.[16][17] The soundtrack also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200.[18]

In July, Youtube channel Studio USOG announced Ejae will contribute a song to the "Another Day of Debut Training" project, with all profits being donated.[19] In August, a group consisting of Loona and Loossemble member Hyunjin, rapper Mirani, and two others will perform the song at a festival to celebrate the 80th anniversary of South Korea's independence.[20]

Personal life

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Kim's grandfather is actor and arts patron Shin Young-kyun.[21] She studied at New York University and is currently based in Brooklyn.[22][14]

Discography

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Soundtrack appearances

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List of soundtrack appearances, with selected chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[23] 		AUS
[24] 		CAN
[25] 		KOR
[26] 		MLY
[27] 		NZ
[28] 		PHL
[29] 		SGP
[30] 		UK
[31] 		WW
[32]
"Whisper in the Dark (사랑을 속삭여)"
(with Joo Hee)[33] 		2016 — — — —[A] — — — — — — Monster OST
"Take It Slow"[6] 2019 — — — —[B] — — — — — — Woman of 9.9 Billion OST
"Midnight Cinderella"[36] 2020 — — — —[C] — — — — — — Dinner Mate OST
"Once Again"[38] 2021 — — — — — — — — — — Genesis OST
"How It's Done"
(with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as Huntr/x) 		2025 19 9 19 10 9 8 12 9 29 7 KPop Demon Hunters OST
"Golden"
(with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as Huntr/x) 		2 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 1
"Takedown"
(with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as Huntr/x) 		33 17 39 37 18 18 24 13 —[D] 18
"Free"
(as Rumi, with Andrew Choi as Jinu) 		28 14 34 26 6 9 10 7 —[E] 13
"What It Sounds Like"
(with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as Huntr/x) 		29 13 30 44 7 10 17 9 —[F] 15
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Production and songwriting credits

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  indicates a background vocal contribution.

  indicates a credited vocal/featured artist contribution.

Year Artist Album Song Co-produced / written with Ref.
2016 EXID Street "Hello" (Hani solo) Monster Factory, Made By, Park Yeong-hyeon [41]
2017 Eclipse EP "Milk" Monster Factory, MadeBy [1]
2018 Suzy Faces of Love EP "SObeR" Andrew Choi, Aaron Kim, Isaac Han [42]
Seo In-young Non-album single "Believe Me" Monster Factory, JION [43]
2019 Nana Mellie Non-album single "Goodbye" Nana Mellie, Isaac Han, Aaron Kim [44]
Discrete Non-album single "Trippin' Bout You" Ellen Berg, Dennis DeKo Kordnejad, Discrete [45]
Red Velvet The ReVe Festival: Finale "Psycho" Andrew "Druski" Scott, Cazzi Opeia [5]
2020 Raymond J. Lee Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Season 3 Mixtape) "Ocean of Love" Matthew Wang, Daniel Rojas [46]
2021 Chung Ha Street Woman Fighter Special "Bad Girl" (with Lachica) [1]
Twice Perfect World "Pieces of Love" Isaac Han, Albin Nordqvist, Walter Pok, Aaron Kim [47]
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Non-album single "Together" Stanley Robinson, Gabe Reali, David Westbom [48]
Kim Na-young Me "Killing Me Softly" Aaron Kim, Isaac Han, AND [49]
Twice Formula of Love: O+T=＜3 "Last Waltz" Lee Hae-sol [1]
League of Legends Non-album single "Rebirth" Matthew Carl Earl [50]
2022 Nmixx Ad Mare "O.O" The Hub: Brian U, Enan, MarkAlong, Charlotte Wilson, Chanti, Awry, Ayushy, Jan Baars, Rajan Muse [1]
Hyoyeon Deep EP "Stupid" Carlyle Fernandes, Chikk, Heber Nathaniel Martinez [51]
Lightsum Into the Light EP "Good News" Galactika: Atenna & Star Wars, Kim Hyun-joong [52]
Kard Re: EP "Break Down" BM, Issac Han, Aaron Kim, J.seph, Somin, Jiwoo, Ghostchild [53]
Twice Celebrate "Flow Like Waves" Anna Timgren, Aaron Kim [54]
Nmixx Entwurf "Dice" [55]
Red Velvet The ReVe Festival 2022 – Birthday EP "Birthday" Kole, Issac Han, Aaron Kim, Ghostchild Ltd, Loosen Door [9]
2023 Billlie The Billage of Perception: Chapter Three EP "nevertheless" GALACTIKA [56]
Kard Icky "Icky" J.seph, HAHM, BM [57]
MiSaMo Masterpiece EP "Funny Valentine" Momo, Yuka Matsumoto, Realmeee, Scott Bruzenak [58]
Lightsum Honey or Spice EP "Not My Style" Lee Hae-sol, Kyndyl Miller [59]
aespa Drama EP "Drama" No Identity, Waker (153/Joombas), Charlotte Wilson [7]
2024 Lim Kim Non-album single "Ult" No Identity [60]
Kep1er Kep1going "Daisy" Kole, Issac Han, Aaron Kim, Ghostchild Ltd, Ashe Ahn [61]
Madalen Duke, Kayla Diamond Non-album single "Bones" Madalen Duke, Kayla Diamond, Sophie Curtis [62]
Fifty Fifty Love Tune EP Starry Night Kole, Alawn [63]
aespa Armageddon "Armageddon" No Identity, Sumin [64]
Whiplash EP "Kill It" Imlay, Kirsten Collins, Waker (153/Joombas) [65]
MiSaMo Haute Couture EP "Baby, I'm Good" Aaron Kim [66]
Irene Like a Flower EP "Like a Flower" Barney Cox, Joey Eighty, JC. Don, Elena Hoey [67]
2025 Le Sserafim Hot EP "So Cynical (Badum)" Vitals, Anthony Watts, Huh Yunjin, Hong Eun-chae, Kim Chaewon [68]
Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami (as Huntr/x) KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) "How It's Done" Danny Chung, Mark Sonnenblick [12]
Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami (as Huntr/x) "Golden" Mark Sonnenblick [13]
Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, and samUIL Lee (as the Saja Boys) "Your Idol" Mark Sonnenblick, Vince, and KUSH [12]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2022 Hollywood Music In Media Awards Best Original Song - Video Game "Rebirth" Nominated [50]

Notes

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  1. ^ "Whisper in the Dark" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at number 56 on the component BGM Chart.[34]
  2. ^ "Take It Slow" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at number 55 on the component BGM Chart.[35]
  3. ^ "Midnight Cinderella" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at number 107 on the component BGM Chart.[37]
  4. ^ "Takedown" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 65 on the Official Singles Sales and number 57 on the Streaming charts.[31]
  5. ^ "Free" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 68 on the Official Singles Sales and number 70 on the Streaming chart.[40]
  6. ^ "What It Sounds Like" did not enter the Official Singles Chart, but peaked at number 28 on the Official Singles Sales and number 51 on the Streaming chart.[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Nolan, Andrea (April 1, 2023). "A Former SM Trainee Is Becoming One Of K-Pop's Most Loved Songwriters". Koreaboo. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "When I was young, I dreamed of Beyonce in Korea. However, I never imagined that I would debut as an .. - MK". 매일경제. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Jones, C. T. (August 4, 2025). "How Two Songwriters From K-Pop and Musical Theater Built This Summer's Surprise Chart Smash". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d SIRMA (January 13, 2021). "K-pop: The Inner Workings of a Global Phenomenon". Roland Articles. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Hyun-su, Yim (February 10, 2020). "[Herald Interview] Why you can't stop listening to Red Velvet's 'Psycho'". The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Johnson, Sarah (February 23, 2020). "Woman of 9.9 Billion". Heart and Seoul. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Kim, Eun-jae (November 2023). "[INTERVIEW] Making of "Drama" by aespa with EJAE and Charlotte Wilson" (Interview). Interviewed by Genius Korea. Genius.
  8. ^ "Girl Crush K-Pop Vocals: K-pop Sample Pack by VOX". Splice. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Justin (November 28, 2022). "WATCH: Red Velvet Celebrates Like It's Your "Birthday" In New MV". What The Kpop. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  10. ^ "Ejae Signs With Prescription Songs". CelebrityAccess. February 11, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "KPop Demon Hunters Is Now Streaming". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on June 24, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c "KPop Demon Hunters: Inside the Animated Film's Electrifying Original Songs". Netflix Tudum. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Grein, Paul (July 7, 2025). "Here's Which 'KPop Demon Hunters' Song Will Be Entered for 2026 Oscars — and What It Would Mean If It's Nominated". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Who sing for Huntrix and Saja Boys? Meet the Korean industry insiders, rising stars behind Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters'". Yahoo News. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  15. ^ Kim, Eun-jae (July 1, 2025). "[INTERVIEW] EJAE on Writing the Hits and Singing for Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters" (Interview). Interviewed by Genius Korea. Genius.
  16. ^ "Kpop Demon Hunters Review: Netflix's Animated K-Pop Musical Hits the Mark". The Kraze. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Bell, Crystal (June 26, 2025). "Netflix's 'K-pop Demon Hunters' review: Balancing demon-slaying with idol realness". Mashable. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  18. ^ Lee, Yoon-seo (July 2, 2025). "'K-pop Demon Hunters' soundtrack makes strong showing on global, Korean music charts". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  19. ^ Kim, Na-yeon (July 23, 2025). "우정잉X에이미X미란이X현진 데뷔곡, '케데헌' 작곡가 프로듀싱..수익금 '전액기부'". OSEN. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  20. ^ Hong, Barg-eum (July 16, 2025). "[영상] '신박한 조합?' 우정잉-현진-에이미-미란이, 웹 예능 '오늘도 데뷔조' 제작발표회 포토타임". MBC. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  21. ^ 스타뉴스 (December 9, 2014). "[★포토]신영균 손녀 김은재, '촉촉한 보이스'". 스타뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  22. ^ "신영균, 배우-가수 지망생 손녀들과 방송나들이 '피는 못속여'". 다음 - 뉴스엔. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  23. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 9, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  24. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  25. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of August 9, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  26. ^ "Digital Chart: 2025 Weeks 30". Circle Chart. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  27. ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 07/04/2025 to 07/10/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 15, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 28]
  28. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  29. ^ "Philippines Hot 100 - Billboard Philippines". Billboard Philippines. July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  30. ^ Peaks on the Official Singapore Chart:
  31. ^ a b c "HUNTR/X/EJAE/AUDREY NUNA/REI songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  32. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of August 9, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  33. ^ whisper in the dark (Instrumental) by EJAE & 주희 on Apple Music, July 19, 2016, retrieved June 27, 2025
  34. ^ "BGM Chart: 2016 Weeks 30". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  35. ^ "BGM Chart: 2019 Weeks 51". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  36. ^ "Midnight Cinderella / EJAE - genie". www.genie.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  37. ^ "BGM Chart: 2020 Weeks 25". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  38. ^ "복제인간 OST Part.1 / EJAE". 벅스! (in Korean). June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  39. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast – Golden". Radioscope. Retrieved July 31, 2025. Type Golden in the "Search:" field.
  40. ^ "RUMI/JINU/EJAE/ANDREW CHOI songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  41. ^ Hello (Hani Solo) by EXID on Apple Music, June 1, 2016, retrieved June 27, 2025
  42. ^ SObeR by Suzy on Apple Music, January 29, 2018, retrieved June 27, 2025
  43. ^ "편해졌니 (Believe Me) / 서인영". 벅스! (in Korean). October 31, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  44. ^ "Goodbye / Nana Mellie(나나멜리)". 벅스! (in Korean). June 13, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  45. ^ Thomson, Zangba (July 5, 2019). "Discrete releases an electro-pop tune, entitled, "Trippin' Bout You"". Bong Mines Entertainment. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  46. ^ "So grateful to be apart of the song "Ocean of Love" from the neflix/dreamworks show @drmwrx KIPO season 3!..." www.instagram.com. October 10, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  47. ^ PIECES OF LOVE by TWICE on Apple Music, July 28, 2021, retrieved June 27, 2025
  48. ^ Together by Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on Apple Music, May 2, 2021, retrieved July 25, 2025
  49. ^ "me / 김나영". 벅스! (in Korean). October 31, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  50. ^ a b "2022 HMMA Nominations and Winners". Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  51. ^ Stupid by HYO on Apple Music, May 16, 2022, retrieved June 27, 2025
  52. ^ GOOD NEWS by LIGHTSUM on Apple Music, May 24, 2022, retrieved June 27, 2025
  53. ^ "KARD 5th Mini Album 'Re:' [Credits found at section labelled 앨범소개]". www.melon.com. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  54. ^ Flow like waves by TWICE on Apple Music, July 27, 2022, retrieved June 27, 2025
  55. ^ "ENTWURF - NMIXX". 멜론 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  56. ^ nevertheless by Billlie on Apple Music, March 28, 2023, retrieved June 27, 2025
  57. ^ ICKY by KARD on Apple Music, May 23, 2023, retrieved June 27, 2025
  58. ^ Funny Valentine by MISAMO on Apple Music, July 26, 2023, retrieved June 27, 2025
  59. ^ Not My Style by LIGHTSUM on Apple Music, October 11, 2023, retrieved June 27, 2025
  60. ^ "15 questions | Interview | Lim Kim | Expression Outlet". 15questions.net. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  61. ^ Daisy by Kep1er on Apple Music, September 7, 2022, retrieved June 27, 2025
  62. ^ BONES by Madalen Duke & Kayla Diamond on Apple Music, June 21, 2024, retrieved July 25, 2025
  63. ^ Starry Night by FIFTY FIFTY on Apple Music, July 31, 2024, retrieved June 27, 2025
  64. ^ Armageddon by aespa on Apple Music, May 27, 2024, retrieved June 27, 2025
  65. ^ Kill It by aespa on Apple Music, October 21, 2024, retrieved June 27, 2025
  66. ^ Baby, I'm good by MISAMO on Apple Music, November 6, 2024, retrieved June 27, 2025
  67. ^ Like A Flower by IRENE on Apple Music, November 26, 2024, retrieved June 27, 2025
  68. ^ So Cynical (Badum) by LE SSERAFIM on Apple Music, March 14, 2025, retrieved July 4, 2025
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