EJAE Updates

#EJAE instagram update instagram.com/ejae_k

#EJAE will be a presenter at the American Music Awards on May 25 at 8pm ET. #AMAs

#EJAE with CL at the AUDEMARS PIGUET X Y/V Launch Event.

#EJAE instagram update instagram.com/ejae_k

#EJAE with Ahn Hyo-seop at the AUDEMARS PIGUET X Y/V Launch Event.

#EJAE at the AUDEMARS PIGUET X Y/V Launch Event.

#EJAE keynote speech at the 17th Asian Leadership Conference: “I’m here today not as a politician, not as a diplomat, and not as an expert on international affairs. Not even as an artist. I am here as a songwriter. A songwriter is an artist, a storyteller, and a creator, someone who puts intention behind every word choice and every melodic choice in order to create a work of art that can cut through cultural barriers and bring people together. That work of art is music. Every culture may have its own language, but music does not see race, age, gender, or borders. It is a beautiful language that all cultures can speak, one that has the power to unite people and reveal truth. And often, that truth sheds light on the climate of the world we live in.”

#EJAE at the 17th Asian Leadership Conference.

GQ Korea instagram update with #EJAE

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: When do you feel most like yourself while working? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: I feel most like myself when unusual ideas actually work out. For example, with ‘Mantra,’ directors Maggie and Chris had a certain sound in mind, but they didn’t know exactly how to describe it, because we had to create it ourselves. It had a Korean traditional music and pansori vibe, but with a more modern feel. So I thought, ‘What would it sound like if we mixed those together?’ While creating the melody, I added harmonies and used them in a pretty unique way. As we followed that direction, it turned out really well. I think we ended up creating a very unique sound.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: If you had to choose one word to describe yourself? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: Perfectionist. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing, but I think I’m a perfectionist. Before the Oscars ceremony, I was so nervous that I practiced almost every day. When performing ‘born to be’ aside from just hitting the high notes, the most important thing was being able to sing them comfortably. You have to do it while feeling a lot of pressure and nervousness, in front of so many people. I really worked hard and practiced a lot. Everyone probably knows, my glam team in the U.S. would always hear me warming up my voice and constantly singing ‘born to be’.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: What is one thing you never compromise on when working? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: Bad attitude. And if there’s a good melody, I never compromise on it. I think melody is more important than lyrics. If the lyrics ruin the melody… hell no. Do you know Justin Bieber’s song ‘Sorry’? People hum the melody, they don’t really talk about the lyrics. Do you know Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’? It became a hit because the melody was so good. That’s why I think melody is more important.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: What is one attitude that best describes you? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: Persistent. If you think about it positively, it means I work hard, and if you think about it negatively, it means I’m stubborn. Recently, there have been so many opportunities to sing, there have also been a lot of award shows lately, and I practiced a lot. Even when it wasn’t rehearsal, I would practice in the taxi and things like that. It might not be good for my throat, but I need to feel mentally at ease.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: Do you have your own standard for deciding when something is complete? There are also songs that were finished very quickly? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: It’s really difficult, honestly. I’m a perfectionist, so if there’s a deadline, then it feels finished because it has to be. I stay up all night doing my best, and when listening to the song gives me chills, I think, ‘Ah, it’s complete. Stop.’ Yes, there are. In the case of ‘Golden,’ it came together really fast. I thought, ‘Ah, this melody is good. Done.’ I always tell this story, but the melody came to me right away while I was on my way to the dentist, and even I find that amazing. I was just humming to myself like, ‘Oh my God, this sounds so good.’ It happened really quickly.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: What emotion has been taking up most of your daily life lately? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: Pressure. Honestly, it’s pressure. A lot has happened recently, but I think this is only the beginning, so I need to work even harder from now on. I try not to control things that are out of my control and just focus on doing my best. Thinking that way has helped put my mind at ease.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: What is the one thing you consider most important in collaboration? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: Such a easy question. No ego, there should never be any ego involved. I don’t think the more experienced person is always right. For example, when it comes to music, it’s about the song, not about you. The most important thing is making sure the song turns out well. So, no ego and be nice.

#EJAE x GQ Korea interview: 𝗚𝗤: What thought helps you get back up when you feel like giving up? 𝗘𝗝𝗔𝗘: When I feel like giving up, I cry a lot. I think crying is like a vacuum cleaner for the heart — it cleans everything out. Then I watch a good movie and try to see things from a broader perspective. There’s also an image I really like: someone digging underground. The person digging can’t see it, but there’s gold right beside them. It reminds me that if you keep working hard and stay persistent, the gold might be right next to you. That’s why I keep going with determination.