KPop Demon Hunters Icon EJAE Wants People to Know ‘Success & Failure Are Truly the Same Thing’ (Exclusive)

There’s no denying 2025 was the year of KPop Demon Hunters, especially for singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. We have no doubt 2026 will be the same. In fact, only three weeks into 2026, EJAE has already released a new single, “In Another World,” is set to release a second single, “Time After Time,” and now, she’s ready to cover a new song, “Against All Odds.”

You read that right, the Golden Globe-winning songwriter is tackling another big musical endeavor: doing a Tiny Vanity Concert for Liquid IV by covering the iconic Phil Collins song; a song she holds very near and dear to her heart.

EJAE has been in the music industry for over a decade, writing songs behind-the-scenes for bands like Red Velvet, Aespa, and Twice, among others. But 2025 was the year she started shinin’ like she was born to be! (Sorry, we had to!)

Despite being one of the biggest names right now, EJAE remains who she’s always been: an artist dedicated to her craft. When you speak to her, a calming vibe emanates from her, one where you know you’re going to learn a new lesson that’ll change your life for the better. She knows how to stay grounded, to stay grateful, and is teaching everyone that failure never means the end.

Below, see EJAE’s words of wisdom on all things self-care, how to embrace the failures, and how excited she is to cover the iconic Phil Collins ballad.

SK: So, can you tell me a bit about how your partnership with Liquid IV came?

EJAE: Liquid IV reached out, and I just feel so honored that I could be a part of this campaign for their first Super Bowl commercial. I love the Super Bowl. It’s a big, big thing for me with my friends, so that was really cool.

Partnering with Liquid IV, it just makes so much sense, because I’m a singer, I use Liquid IV all the time. As a singer, staying hydrated is absolutely key. Not gonna lie, my fiancé tells me to drink water or stay hydrated all the time (laughs). Liquid IV is great for staying hydrated because water is great, but my vocal cords get dry. I get dehydrated quite fast. So when I have Liquid IV, it actually keeps me hydrated way longer. I always use it before singing, especially during rehearsals, and also just right now with all the red carpets. I personally don’t like to eat before these red carpets because I get really nervous, but I have to drink water. You have to stay hydrated, or you’re gonna faint. So it just makes sense.

SK: Can you tell me how you decided on singing a new version of “Against All Odds?”

EJAE: When they asked for it to sing “Against All Odds,” it’s just insane that they ask ’cause that’s one of my dad’s favorite songs. My parents know the songs very well, he would belt it out in the karaoke. It was just really cool that, like, I’ve always been hearing my dad’s rendition of it, and now I get to have my own rendition of it in public. So I feel very honored. It’s a very iconic, legendary song.

SK: It’s also so sweet that your dad loved this song too. I was actually gonna ask: Because you released your single “In Another World” and it’s a powerful ballad, which is like “Against All Odds.” Are you drawn to ballads? Like, is there anything that you can do with balleds that you maybe can’t do in other genres?

EJAE: I think ballads highlight emotions more. I think it’s a great way to showcase vulnerability, and for me, vulnerability is one of the biggest assets of being human. That’s why I gravitate towards power ballads; they’re fun to sing. When you’re feeling that, when you’re in your feels incredibly cathartic.

SK: I know you’ve often said that everything happens for a reason. Do you have any other reminders for yourself when things may not go according to plan, or when you need to feel grounded?

EJAE: For me, more than success, we learn more from failures. We learn more from rejection, actually. I think that’s when you grow the most. Like, working out, for example, when you’re doing a new workout routine or when you feel a muscle tear, that’s when you know, after that week of pain, it grows, and that’s you. That’s what humans are, we’re very strong. We can get through it, and once we do, you truly do become a stronger version of yourself. So for me, failure and rejection? I welcome that because I’m excited to grow and be better. I think it’s all mindset, and when you’re not afraid of it, it just becomes part of life. I think success and failure are truly the same thing, just a different outfit.

SK: But actually, my next question was gonna be like what advice do you have for teens or people in their twenties who maybe feel like their story is over because of a failure or something like that?

EJAE: As I said, I think failure is the most valuable time. It’s a time to reflect, a time to feel, and it’s a time to know what is. When you’re in a period of rejection or feel like you’re feeling something, it’s really important to feel it. Feel everything, it’s hurtful. Then, once you feel it, the most important part is how you approach it. This is never the end. “What can I learn from this?” “Okay, what is the part that made me end up here?” Because that’s such a valuable lesson to have because without that you will never learn it.

Failures are truly like… hiking. I think hiking is a great metaphor. It’s so hard getting up to the top, but what’s really important during those times is that you stop for a second and then take a breather. [You] look back and see how much you’ve done. If you’re just so focused on the top, you’re gonna feel like you haven’t been growing, but once you look behind you’re like ‘Wow, I’ve actually come a long way.’ So always remember where you’re at!

SK: That’s a really wonderful reminder. So, 2025 obviously was a wild ride for you guys. I have no doubt 2026 will be the same. What have you learned, though, about keeping your peace?

EJAE: I think for me, it’s kind of zooming out. I always do that. I think zooming out, making sure you’re not so immersed in it that you’re blind to your surroundings, is important. Spending time with your loved ones is really important. I think people who really know you before all of this helps; it keeps you grounded. Also, just having moments of time to yourself to breathe is so important.

SK: Now, one quick question about red carpets: You, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, you guys have such distinct styles, but you match them too. How do you balance showing your personal style in each one while still maintaining that cohesion?

EJAE: Honestly, we just got really lucky, like from the very beginning, we talked about it all the time. We’re kind of like a Venn diagram. We have our own distinct styles, but we have this thing that overlaps. I think we like the aesthetic of not too feminine, [and] we kind of like a very avant-garde kind of edge to our looks. We love similar color palettes, so it just kind of naturally overlaps.

SK: That’s really cool. I always think, ‘Oh, they must be like a group chat.’ But that’s so cool that it’s just you guys are in sync.

EJAE: Oh no, we do have a group chat! But honestly, we don’t even talk in detail in the group chat. There’s like a color. It’s just crazy how cohesive we can get.

SK: Now my last question is, you’ve had such a wild journey, what would you say to yourself for this time last year: January, 2025 EJAE?

EJAE: I would say “patience is a virtue.” [Actually], you know what I would do? I wouldn’t say anything. I would just show a picture of this photo that really motivates me the most. It’s a man who’s like inside the ground, mining. And there’s like gold right on the other side. But he’s like wanting to give up [but he has so little left]?

SK: Yes, I know exactly what image you’re talking about!

EJAE: Yeah, I would just show that!

To view more of the Tiny Vanity Concert teaser, follow Liquid I.V. on Instagram (@liquidiv) and on TikTok. You can see the extended version and watch every reveal leading up to the Big Game.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.