“K-Pop Demon Hunters” Star EJAE’s Grandfather Revealed To Be One Of Korea’s Most Legendary Actors

The voice behind KPop Demon Hunters’ heroine Rumi has an unexpected family connection. It was recently revealed that EJAE, who not only voiced Rumi but also composed and sang the viral OST “GOLDEN,” is actually the granddaughter of veteran actor Shin Young Kyun — one of the biggest names in Korean cinema history.

Shin Young Kyun was a household name throughout the 1960s and 1970s, starring in classics like Red Scarf and Love Me Once Again. Beyond acting, he’s also known as a symbol of noblesse oblige in Korea, having donated over ₩50.0 billion KRW (about $35.0 million USD) worth of property — including theaters and museums — to support the nation’s film industry.

Meanwhile, EJAE is proving that talent runs in the family. The Korean-American artist and former SM Entertainment trainee spent nearly a decade training before studying at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, later debuting as a songwriter. She’s written for some of K-Pop’s biggest acts, including Red Velvet (“Psycho”), aespa (“Drama,” “Armageddon”), TWICE, LE SSERAFIM, and FIFTY FIFTY.

Her big break came when KPop Demon Hunters director Maggie Kang heard her demo vocals and personally chose her to play Rumi, turning EJAE into a global sensation overnight. The film, which follows K-pop idols who secretly battle demons off-stage, quickly topped Netflix’s Global Film Chart, while its soundtrack song “GOLDEN” became a massive hit, even reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.