For years, EJAE has been the industry’s secret weapon. The New York City-based singer-songwriter has written, directed, sung her way into some of the biggest hits in K-pop over the last ten years. Have you ever sung “Drama” with aespa, been unnerved by the terrifying power in “Psycho,” sung your heart out to the sugared perfection in tracks for TWICE, Le Sserafim, Taeyeon, NMIXX, Fifty Fifty? You’ve probably been living in EJAE’s world without even realizing it yet.
EJAE released her debut single “In Another World,” which is more than a debut but also an artistic revival.
A Song Written From Shadows and Quiet Longing
“In Another World,” which is an original song written, performed, and recorded by lone artist EJAE, is more of a haunting piece on the notions of “what-ifs.
“I wrote ‘In Another World’ during a time when I was questioning every choice I’d made,” De La Cruz explained in an interview with Ryan Seacrest recently. “It’s about those quiet moments when you imagine the life you didn’t live, and realizing it’s okay to miss something and that in another world maybe it would be perfect.”
With its sweeping cinematic production and anchored by the otherworldly vocals of EJAE, it teeters on the edge between vulnerability and reality. It’s akin to watching someone open their soul in front of your eyes for the first time, for an artist who has traditionally backed someone more prominent with their vocals.
A Music Video to Match the Mood
The song is coming out together with a music video shot by Bryant Hyun, who is an inconsistent video contributor for numerous Asian-American rising stars. The video parallels the song’s motifs with a series of depictions from broken mirrors to foggy landscapes with EJAE walking between different dream worlds in search of the “other world,” with the video never resorting to saying if it’s real or just in her head, which is ultimately its intention.
K-pop Dominance to a Solo Stage
“EJAE’s credentials blow my mind,” Rachel continues. “She’s Rumi from the fictional girl band Huntr/x in Netflix’s record-breaking film KPop Demon Hunters, where she wrote and performed the movie’s massive hit single in “Golden” is which not only topped the charts but re-wrote them.”
- #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 consecutive weeks
- #1 on the Billboard Global 200 for 12 weeks and counting
- 750 million streams on Spotify (and rising)
- Part of the first soundtrack in history to feature four simultaneous songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10
It is no exaggeration to say that EJAE has made history already, even prior to releasing any single under her own name.
A Multicultural Voice for a Global Age
Having been raised between Seoul, South Korea, and the US, it’s no wonder that EJAE is the embodiment of both sides in her music. As an ex-SM Entertainment trainee, she’s experienced the joy and the devastations that come with pursuing an idol life. She’s also got the instincts of a songwriter with an uncanny intuition for penning hits where neither the hook nor the concept is ever lacking.
“I’ve always dreamed of sharing my songs with the world, but I never imagined I’d be the one singing them,” she admitted. “This song, and this moment, feel like I’m finally letting people see who I really am. It’s both terrifying and thrilling, but mostly I’m just so excited to be able to share something that’s authentically me.”
The Dawn of EJAE, the Artist
“In Another World,” however, marks the launch not only of single artist “In Another World” but also a creative endeavor for EJAE. Because fans have danced, cried, and screamed in joy to her hits without knowing who she is, they now finally have the opportunity to meet the genius behind these songs. And if her record is any guide, however, it’s clear that EJAE is more than testing the waters; she’s dominating them.
“In Another World” is now out on all platforms.
