EJAE, the voice behind Rumi in Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, shared her thoughts on the global rise of K-pop in a press conference held on October 15, 2025, at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. EJAE contributed with composing and writing credits for the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, especially notable in the soundtrack’s most popular track “Golden.”
Ejae, the singing voice behind KPop Demon Hunter's Rumi, talks about the globalization of K-Pop during a press conference:
“K-pop tends to adopt a lot of pop elements to appeal globally, but I believe it’s important to maintain its core identity, including the Korean lyrics,… pic.twitter.com/I1cqCl4t7G
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 15, 2025
The singer praised the worldwide love for the genre but reminded everyone of its roots. “Koreans have great taste,” she said with a smile. “Our music is detailed and efficient, and it’s wonderful to share that with the world.” Still, EJAE didn’t shy away from addressing what she feels is a growing concern. As K-pop continues to blend with Western trends, she believes it risks losing some of its cultural flavor.
“There are a lot of English lyrics now, and I understand why,” she admitted. “But Korean is such a beautiful language. If it’s K-pop, it should include Korean. The magic happens when both languages mix naturally.”
She wrapped up her comments by emphasizing that while global success is great, Kpop’s identity must remain Korean at its core. “Korean culture has its own unique charm,” she expressed. “It’s important to keep that essence alive, even while embracing other influences.”
