Carli Clesmere KPop Demon Hunters is officially everywhere. The soundtrack is taking over the radio, Halloween was filled with costumes inspired by the film, and social feeds are fully locked into the “KPop Demon Hunters era.” The animated story follows a K-pop girl group living a double life as demon hunters, blending pop stardom, fantasy, and high-energy fun. In our opinion, it gives a hint of that long-dreamed-of Spice Girls revival feeling. What many may not know is that this global craze has an unexpected tie to Bergen County. Here is how a local Bergen County connection fits into one of the biggest entertainment moments of the year.
Inside the Story + Breaking Records
The film focuses on Huntr/x, a three-member K-pop group balancing arena lights with supernatural battles. Months after release, the momentum is still climbing. Netflix has confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters is now the most-watched Netflix film of all time, with more than 236 million views. The soundtrack also continues to soar thanks to its addictive tracks.
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Who Is EJAE: The Voice Behind Rumi + Her Bergen County Connection
A major part of the soundtrack’s success comes from EJAE, the singing voice for Rumi and the co-writer behind many of the film’s most replayed songs. Born in Seoul on December 6, 1991, she has written + produced for major K-pop groups including Red Velvet, Aespa, Twice, and Le Sserafim. A recent clip from The Zach Sang Show revealed that EJAE spent part of her early childhood living in Fort Lee, New Jersey. She even shouted out Fort Lee’s Korean food scene, calling it some of the best on the East Coast. BG insider scoop: Carli from team BG, a Fort Lee native, fully agrees.
Her time in New Jersey may have been short, but it still adds her to the growing list of talents tied to the Garden State. From its record-breaking global run to its Bergen County link, KPop Demon Hunters continues to blend massive pop-culture energy with a local twist. It is yet another reminder that some of the world’s greatest humans + films have roots in the best state around.
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