Ejae’s Golden Moment: From Hidden Composer to Vocal Powerhouse

Lee Jae shines with her soulful voice in K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Golden tops Billboard as fans embrace her unique sound.
From composer to performer, she’s redefining K-pop.

Lee Jae’s journey (known as Ejae) in the K-pop industry has been anything but ordinary. After spending more than a decade training under SM Entertainment and years quietly shaping the sound of top idol groups from behind the scenes, the singer-composer is now stepping into the spotlight with a voice and vision that fans around the world can’t stop talking about. Her deep, soulful timbre and impressive vocal range have set her apart in an industry often dominated by high-pitched, delicate tones, and her story of embracing what once made her feel insecure is deeply resonating with listeners.

The massive success of “Golden”, the OST for Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, has become a major turning point in her career. The song not only showcases her ability to tell stories through music but has also become a cultural moment in itself, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks. With that achievement, Lee, once known only to insiders as the composer behind hits for groups like Red Velvet and aespa, now stands on global stages, performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and speaking candidly about her creative process on Korean radio.

But beyond the accolades, Lee’s rise signals something deeper: a shift in how K-pop values individuality. Her success challenges long-held notions of what a female vocalist “should” sound like and celebrates the power of authenticity, a message that is sparking passionate conversations among fans and industry watchers alike.

A Composer Turned Star: From SM Trainee to Global Stage

Before the world knew her as the powerhouse voice behind Rumi in K-Pop Demon Hunters, Lee Jae was already shaping the sound of K-pop from behind the scenes. She wrote songs for aespa, K.A.R.D, and Red Velvet, with “Psycho” being her personal favorite. “It was my first song written during SM Camp,” she recalled during her appearance on KBS Cool FM’s “Lee Eun-ji’s Gayo Plaza” on October 13. “I poured all my emotions into it after a fight with my ex. Thankfully, we reconciled after that.”

But destiny had other plans. After years focusing solely on songwriting, Lee unexpectedly lent her voice to Rumi, the charismatic leader of girl group Huntrix in K-Pop Demon Hunters. The project, which tells the story of Huntrix battling the villainous Lion Boys with the power of music, propelled her into a new level of fame. Its main anthem, “Golden”, went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks, a rare achievement for an OST.

Stepping onto the global stage was not without pressure. Lee admitted that performing Golden live presented unique challenges. “This song wasn’t written for a singer, it’s about the story and the character. If I were writing for a vocalist, I would’ve composed it differently. Everything here had to be intentionally high-pitched,” she explained.

Her U.S. television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on October 7 was especially nerve-racking. “I was so nervous that my voice disappeared that morning because of bronchitis and a cold,” she said. “My manager told me not to think about hitting high notes but to focus on the lyrics and the strength that comes through when you sing from a place of struggle. That helped me get through it.”

Even on her way to the radio show through the rainy streets of Seoul, Lee greeted fans and reporters with cheerful heart poses, showing a softer side far different from the fierce persona of Rumi. Her next single, “In Another World”, is set to be released on October 24, marking a new chapter in her journey from composer to full-fledged artist.

Embracing Her Voice: Breaking Beauty Standards in K-pop

Despite her immense talent, Lee Jae’s journey has not been without insecurity. Her deep, husky voice was often seen as not fitting the industry’s preference for high-pitched and delicate tones associated with femininity.

Social media exploded with conversations following her recent radio and TV appearances. Fans celebrated her distinctive tone, with one post noting how artists like Lee, Minnie, and Yuqi were once told their voices were too “dark” or “not feminine enough.” Now, those very qualities are what make them stand out and be praised.

“It’s crazy how talented people like Ejae are made to feel insecure about their uniqueness… happy that she’s come to embrace her gorgeous vocals & timbre.”

Another user praised producers who choose to preserve artists’ individuality instead of forcing them to conform:

“I’m so appreciative of producers like Soyeon for seeing the beauty in unique vocals. Without them, Minnie and Yuqi wouldn’t be the vocalists they are today.”

Many fans also highlighted how refreshing Lee’s vocal color is compared to the typical idol sound:

“I’ve been frustrated for years about how most girl group singers only have the same high-pitched, nasally little girl voice. Give me some depth and variety, Ejae’s lower register is gorgeous.”

“It’s that color to her voice that makes it so good. Her low notes have depth and soul, and she can still belt crazy high notes. One of the most versatile voices I’ve heard recently.”

Many who first heard her as Rumi without knowing who she was were stunned:

“I didn’t even know who she was but her vocals had range, depth, uniqueness, emotion AND control. I’d commit crimes to have that kind of voice!”

Others shared personal stories, deeply relating to her struggles:

“I’m no singer but I understand her. I got picked on for having a deep voice too. I became quieter because they said I had a ‘man’s voice,’ which is ridiculous and stupid.”

The admiration extended beyond individual fans. One viral comment captured the overall sentiment:

“EJAE’s voice is probably the most incredible one I’ve heard in years. She’s so ridiculously talented that I still don’t believe she’s real.”

Lee’s impact also reignited criticism of the industry’s narrow beauty and age standards. Many fans were shocked to learn that she had once been told she was “too old” or “not good enough” during her trainee years, questioning how any company could overlook a voice like hers.

Beyond her work on K-Pop Demon Hunters, Lee Jae has also made significant contributions to other major K-pop projects, proving just how multi-talented and versatile she is. Fans were surprised to learn that she not only co-wrote and co-composed “ATM” by TWICE’s Jihyo, but also provided background vocals and served as the vocal director for the track. Her creative influence extended far beyond writing melodies, shaping the vocal color and emotional delivery of the song.

This revelation added yet another layer to her growing reputation as one of the industry’s most multifaceted figures, with fans praising her ability to seamlessly switch between roles as a composer, songwriter, singer, and vocal producer.

Lee Jae’s newfound spotlight is more than just a career milestone. It’s a powerful statement about embracing individuality in an industry that often demands conformity. Her powerful, distinctive voice, once dismissed as too different, is now redefining what it means to be a K-pop vocalist. With global fans cheering her on, collaborations with Rosé of BLACKPINK and BTS, two artists she hopes to work with, could very well be the next chapter in her extraordinary story.

Source: KBS Cool FM, Star Today, JTBC, Newsen, Dispatch, Top Star News