"I got into a really prestigious Korean record label as an 11-year-old. I had a whole future set out for me. I was like, OK, I'm going to be a K-pop idol, huge superstar by like 18. But yeah, it definitely didn't pan out that way."
"Depression was a thing, but what helped me get out of it was thankfully, accidentally getting into songwriting. That's how the journey began."
"There's a famous saying in Korea, which is like, What you say out loud becomes your story. So I think at a young age that was always kind of instilled in me."
"I would go on YouTube, and I would watch like interviews of Beyonce as a kid working her butt off, like dancing and singing. So I would work tirelessly, like seven, eight hours of dancing and singing every day."
Ejae, a breakout star of KPop Demon Hunters, faced years of rejection in her pursuit of becoming a K-pop idol. Initially signed to a prestigious record label at 11, her dreams were challenged as she aged out of the idol scene by 22. Depression followed, but songwriting became her outlet. Influenced by her grandfather's teachings on hard work and success, Ejae dedicated herself to practice, often spending hours honing her craft. Her journey reflects resilience and a desire to inspire others facing similar struggles.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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