REI AMI Re-Introduces Herself: She's Much More Than Just ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Zoey
The 2025 Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters was a massive global hit and is still making cultural waves over a year after its release. The endless press tour gave fans the opportunity to learn about the voice actresses and singing voices of the fictional girl group HUNTR/X, six extremely talented women lending their skills to the characters of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.
REI AMI provided the singing voice for the lead rapper and “maknae” (youngest member) of the group, Zoey, who grew up in California and writes lyrics for HUNTR/X. She has appeared in countless live performances and interviews with fellow stars EJAE and AUDREY NUNA over the past year, when everything from sporting events to the Academy Awards used music and visuals from the animated film. The film and soundtrack took the world by storm, particularly attracting a younger fanbase. All three musicians have continued releasing their own solo work in the wake of the film’s success, with REI AMI joining the fray with her latest single, “2LOUD.”
Long before playing Zoey, REI had her sights set on a career in music, releasing her breakout single “SNOWCONE” in 2019 with a budget of $50, recording and editing the track herself before uploading its official music video to YouTube. In 2021, Billboard proclaimed REI an “artist to watch” when interviewing her upon the release of her ten track album FOIL.
Her latest release explores themes of breaking out of your shell and not holding back your true personality just to fit the image that others want to see. She boldly declares in the song: “Spent my life tryna fit your frame / Smaller to keep you close / Filterin' every word I say / Now I'm letting it out.” The themes of the song are not too different to those evoked in the plot of KPop Demon Hunters, but her solo work rises out of the “safe for work” zone, gearing towards an older audience instead. REI has expressed that she knows her previously released music is not appropriate for the new audience that found her through the film, with almost all the tracks being explicit. REI AMI and her character counterpart Zoey can and do co-exist, excelling musically in both realms and even drawing attention from adults who have fallen in love with “Golden” and sing to the track as loudly as their kids do.
REI has since released six tracks repackaging the song, wrapped into the EP 2LOUD(ER). The EP features the same song with different interpretations like remixes, a collaboration track with MARIYLNCARISSA, and an instrumental version so you can sing along in your car and have your own pop star moment. If you’re looking for more REI AMI to jam out to on your drive, we recommend queuing “EVERYBODY ELSE” or "yellow tape.”
REI, along with the other stars from KPop Demon Hunters, are making it clear that they are more than the animated characters they portray on screen through their own music. REI’s future is bright and her journey is full of dedication to being her authentic self. While the Netflix film provided much needed representation for Korean voices and culture on the main stage of animation and musical movies, Korean-American pop star REI AMI is here to stay.
Which songs from REI AMI’s discography are you adding to your playlist? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by reaching out on Instagram or X.
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Edited by Michelle Leung
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