In a bold and heartfelt statement, EJAE (Kim Lee Jae), the composer and singer behind KPop Demon HuntersOST “GOLDEN” expressed her concerns about the growing use of English in K-pop, advocating for a stronger presence of Korean lyrics in the genre’s global expansion.
Speaking at a press conference on October 15 at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, EJAE discussed the “K-pop localization” strategy and its vision for the future of the genre. “I think it’s great that K-pop is being localized globally. Koreans have such refined taste. So when “K-Pop Demon Hunters” came out, I was nervous about whether Korean audiences would like it. The standard is very high” he shared.
While expressing support for K-pop’s global ambitions, he stressed the need to preserve the essence of Korean culture. “I feel like K-pop is leaning heavily towards pop. I understand the prevalence of English lyrics. But Korean is such a beautiful language. If it’s K-pop, it should include Korean“, he said. “Instead, K-pop and English should blend well together. I know both English and nuances of Korean, so the two languages need to harmonize perfectly for listeners to properly appreciate them.”
He further stated that Korean identity must remain central: “I think K-pop should focus on Korea. Even though it tries to be very pop, Korea is so beautiful that it’s better to keep going in a Korean direction. Korean culture has its own distinct character. Whatever you do, it’s good to do it in a Korean way.”
“If you go to America, it is important to blend with American culture so that it can be digested there. But Korea must be present,” he concluded.
EJAE’s remarks sparked conversation online, with many Korean fans echoing his sentiment. Comments include:
“Really, please use more Korean.”
“TWICE’s ‘This is For’ was a Korean comeback but I doubted my eyes when I saw that all the lyrics were in Englishㅠㅠ even as a fan…”
“That’s why I still only listen to second-generation songs… the charm of K-pop is completely gone now.”
With this discourse gaining traction, EJAE’s comments serve as a timely reminder of the delicate balance K-pop must find: embracing global influence while safeguarding its unique Korean identity.
Sources: Newsen, NC Press, Naver
