Rei Ami

Last updated

Rei Ami
ANYC25 from YouTube video by TBC - Rei Ami with Zoey cosplayer 02 (cropped).jpg
Rei Ami at Anime NYC in 2025
Background information
Born
Sarah Yeeun Lee

(1995-05-25) May 25, 1995 (age 30)
Seoul, South Korea [1]
Origin Germantown, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
InstrumentVocals
Years active2019–present
Labels
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2018–present
Genre Music
Subscribers211,000
Views31,516,927
Last updated: December 4, 2025

Sarah Yeeun Lee (born May 25, 1995), known professionally as Rei Ami (pronounced RAY-AH-mee [3] ), is a South Korean singer and rapper. Lee rose to prominence with her guest performance on Sub Urban's 2020 song "Freak" which gained virality on TikTok. The song would peak at number 28 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. She is also known for providing the singing voice for the character Zoey in the film KPop Demon Hunters . "Golden", one of the songs she co-performed for the film, topped the Billboard Hot 100, as well as charts in several other countries.

Contents

She embarked on her musical career in 2019 with the release of her debut single, "Snowcone". [4] In June 2021, Lee released her debut mixtape, Foil. [5] Two years later in November 2023, her debut extended play (EP) Shhh would be released. Along with a Grammy Award nomination, her other nominations include Best International New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Early life

Northwest high school germantown md 20201107 133724 1.jpg
Lee attended Northwest High School (Maryland).

Lee was born on May 25, 1995 in Seoul, South Korea, [6] to two Korean parents. When she was six, her family relocated to Germantown, Maryland, United States. [6] She graduated from Northwest High School in Germantown, Maryland in 2014. She would start music with the instruments piano and guitar. From a devout Christian household, [6] her parents paid for tutoring making sure she would perform at church services. [1] Later in 2018, Rei graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2018. [7] In an interview with The Diamondback , Rei would state her musical process during the quarantine: "It’s mostly virtual sessions. Every session is different with each producer but, you know, trying to just make it work. And it’s been successful so far." [8]

Career

visualizer music video of the song "Trippin' Toddlers" by Rei Ami

In 2019, Lee filmed the visualizer for her breakout single "Snowcone" [9] [10] with a budget of under $100, [4] which projected to her success, signing to Visionary Records. [11] [12]

2020–2024: Freak and Foil

The official music video for "Freak" by Sub Urban, [13] featuring Lee, [14] [15] [16] was released on March 13, 2020, [14] alongside the former's EP, Thrill Seeker . [17] The video, which was directed by Andrew Donoho, has a circus-themed background. Rei Ami is depicted as a snake-human hybrid. On YouTube, the video has had over 292 million views and over 3.5 million videos on TikTok. [15]

Her debut mixtape, Foil, released on June 25, 2021, showcases her versatility, featuring collaborations with artists like Aminé on "Do It Right", [18] [19] and Lolo Zouaï on "Cherry Chapstick". [5] The project underscores her ability to seamlessly navigate between assertive rap verses and melodic pop hooks. Lee was also featured on Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show. [20]

2025: KPop Demon Hunters, new music

Rei Ami is featured on the soundtrack of the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters . [21] She provides the singing and rapping vocals for the character Zoey, in the songs "Golden", "How It's Done", "What It Sounds Like", and "Takedown" (soundtrack version).

As of December 2025, she was working on a new album, with plans to release the singles in 2026. [22]

Personal life

Beyond her musical endeavors, Rei Ami has been candid about her personal challenges, including an erroneous diagnosis with depression during her freshman year of college and her 2022 diagnosis with bipolar disorder. [22] She credits music as a therapeutic outlet that has helped her navigate mental health struggles. [23]

Rei Ami is a self proclaimed anime fan, and in a TikTok, attributed her stage name to the Sailor Moon characters Rei Hino and Ami Mizuno. [3]

Discography

Mixtapes

TitleDetails
Foil

EPs

TitleDetails
Shhh [25]

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Make It Mine" [6] 2019Non-album single
"Snowcone" [4]
"Dictator" [26] [27]
"Runaway" [28] 2020
"Mac & Cheese" [5] [12]
"Do It Right" [19]

featuring Aminé

2021Foil
"That's on You!"
"F.R.A."
"Ricky Bobby"
"Hot One" [29]

featuring Leyla Blue and Baby Tate

Non-album single
"Plaything"

featuring Pussy Riot and Kito

2022
"Body Bag" [30] 2023Shhh

As featured artist

TitleYearDetails
"Freak" (Sub Urban featuring Rei Ami)2020Non-album single
"Bye" (Marsha Ambrosius featuring Rei Ami)
"Rainy" (Dillon Francis featuring Rei Ami) [31] 2023This Mixtape Is Fire Too
"I See Red" (lilbubblegum featuring Rei Ami)2024Non-album single

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[32] 		AUS
[33] 		CAN
[34] 		KOR
[35] 		MLY
[36] 		NZ
[37] 		PHL
Hot
[38] 		SGP
[39] 		UK
[40] 		WW
[41]
"How It's Done"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		2025879109812995 KPop Demon Hunters
"Golden"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		1111112111
  • RIAA: 5× Platinum [42]
  • ARIA: 4× Platinum [43]
  • BPI: 2× Platinum [46]
  • MC: 8× Platinum [47]
  • RMNZ: 3× Platinum [45]
"Takedown"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		21152537181824136711
"What It Sounds Like"
(with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix)		15121544710178137
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2025 KPop Demon Hunters Zoey (singing voice) Netflix original movie [50]
Saturday Night Live Herself [A] Season 51, Episode 1
Cameo		 [51]
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon HerselfGuest and live performer [A] [52]
99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Herself [A] Live performance [53]
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Herself [A] Live performance [54]

Tours

As a co-headliner

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2025 Asia Artist Awards Best OST"Golden" [A] Won [60]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Song – Onscreen Performance (Film)Nominated [61]
K-World Dream Awards Best OSTWon [62]
Korea Grand Music Awards Best Virtual ArtistNominated [63]
Los 40 Music Awards Best International New Artist Huntrix [A] Won [64]
MAMA Awards Best OST "Golden" [A] Won [65]
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer Nominated [66]
Melon Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated [67]
Best OST Won [68]
Variety Hitmakers Awards Variety's HitmakersRei Ami [A] Honored [69]
2026 Annie Awards Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production KPop Demon Hunters [B] Won [70]
Brit Awards International Group of the Year Huntrix [A] Nominated [71]
International Song of the Year "Golden" [A] Nominated
Gold Derby Music Awards Record of the YearNominated [72]
Grammy Awards Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Nominated [73] [74]
iHeartRadio Music Awards Duo/Group of the YearHuntrix [A] Pending [75]
Pop Song of the Year"Golden" [A] Pending
K-pop Song of the YearPending
Best LyricsPending
Korea First Brand AwardsHot Icon (Female)Huntrix [A] Won [76]
Music Awards Japan Song of the Year"Golden" [A] Longlisted [77]
Best Anime SongLonglisted
Best K-Pop SongLonglisted
Best K-Pop ArtistHuntrix [A] Longlisted
Music City Film Critics AssociationBest Original Song"Golden" [A] Nominated [78]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 with Ejae and Audrey Nuna as Huntrix
  2. ↑ with KPop Demon Hunters Music Team.

References

  1. 1 2 "Rei Ami". Lola Grand. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  2. ↑ Kress, Bryan (September 22, 2020). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Rei Ami [@rei.ami] (July 19, 2025). my lore pt 1 . Retrieved October 8, 2025– via TikTok.
  4. 1 2 3 Nazareno, Mia (June 25, 2021). "One To Watch: Rei Ami Explains How a Music Video That Cost $50 Changed Her Career". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Ginsberg, Gab (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI Breaks Down Debut Mixtape FOIL Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Ceccarelli, Katey (August 23, 2019). "REI AMI arrives with sinister glee in "MAKE IT MINE"". Earmilk. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  7. ↑ Case, Wesley (October 14, 2025). "That 'KPop Demon Hunters' song stuck in your head? A Marylander sings it". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ "From Battle of the Bands to newfound fame: A Q&A with REI AMI". The Diamondback. June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  9. ↑ Murphy, Sam (September 25, 2019). "Rei Ami's 'Snowcone' Puts Her Within Reach Of The Charli XCX Pop Class". The Interns. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ Ahlgrim, Callie. "I spent the day with REI AMI, who just dropped her debut mixtape and is ready to be worshipped". Business Insider. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kress, Bryan (September 22, 2020). "Alt-Pop Artist Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Perdomo, Ivenuel (September 25, 2020). "Rei Ami Signs With Visionary Records and Teases Her Upcoming Single 'Mac and Cheese' | Glitter Magazine". glittermagazine.co. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  13. ↑ Daly, Rhian (April 15, 2020). "Sub Urban is the TikTok-conquering star making horror-infused, macabre pop". NME. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Matozzo, Marissa. "Welcome to Sub Urban's Gruesome 'Freak' Show". www.papermag.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025. The track itself incorporates the spine-chilling melodies and experimental vocalizations he is becoming recognized for, and also features a solo from South Korean hip-hop artist REI AMI.
  15. 1 2 Leight, Elias (October 12, 2020). "How Do You Predict the Next TikTok Music Hit? With a Ton of Data". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 30, 2025. In mid-August, the dominoes started to fall, a number of TikTok's biggest names used "Freak" in videos, and the track is currently on its way to becoming Sub Urban's second hit, with more than 3.5 million TikTok videos.
  16. ↑ Serra, Maria. "10 artists you've heard on TikTok who you actually need to listen to". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2025. Recently, he released his debut EP, Thrill Seeker, featuring hit single and second TikTok phenomenon "Freak" featuring REI AMI.
  17. ↑ Audio, A. B. C. "Sub Urban brings tentacles to a gunfight in new video for "Cirque"". South Central Illinois' News, Sports and Weather Station. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  18. ↑ Riddell, Rose (March 5, 2021). "Listen: REI AMI's new song 'do it right' featuring Aminé". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  19. 1 2 Findlay, Mitch (March 8, 2021). "REI AMI & Aminé Connect For "Do It Right"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Tracking All the Stars in Rihanna's Savage x Fenty Vol. 2 Show". Harper's BAZAAR. October 2, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2025. Sean Lyles, Lyric Mariah, Tabria Majors, Aleali May, Sage White, Memphis Murphy, Vanessa Romo, Rei Ami, Miss 5th Ave, James Baek, Souizz, and Margie Plus - Number 31
  21. ↑ Parlevliet, Mirko (April 24, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters First Look From Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation". Vital Thrills. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Conway, Jeff. "REI AMI Talks 'KPop Demon Hunters' Success And Her Hard-Fought Journey". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 31, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ Ahlgrim, Callie (February 21, 2020). "REI AMI was the 'Asian Hannah Montana,' until her coworkers discovered she's a pop star who raps about assassins and sugar daddies". Business Insider. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  24. ↑ Maxamillion, Polo (June 25, 2021). "REI AMI - Ones To Watch". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  25. 1 2 Go, Mayks (March 15, 2024). "Rei Ami On SXSW's FRIENDS:FOREVER And Her 'Rage Pop' Music". billboardphilippines.com. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  26. ↑ "REI AMI shows her duality on Dictator". The Fader. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  27. ↑ Riddell, Rose (January 23, 2020). "Interview: 2020 Must-Know - Rei Ami". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  28. ↑ Riddell, Rose (February 28, 2020). "Listen: Rei Ami's new single 'Runaway'". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Leyla Blue on Her "Hot One" Video With Rei Ami, Baby Tate". Paper . Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Rei Ami Returns to Slay in Delightfully Dark Single "Body Bag"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Dillon Francis - This Mixtape is Fire TOO". Spotify.
  32. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  33. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Digital Chart: 2025 Weeks 30". Circle Chart . Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  36. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 07/04/2025 to 07/10/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 15, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 28]
  37. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  39. ↑ Peaks on the Official Singapore Chart:
  40. ↑ "Huntr/x/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami Chart History (Billboard Global 200)". Billboard . Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  42. 1 2 3 "American single certifications – Huntr/x". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  43. 1 2 3 4 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  44. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – How It's Done". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  45. 1 2 3 4 "New Zealand single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast". Radioscope. Retrieved December 17, 2025.Type KPop Demon Hunters Cast in the "Search:" fieldand press Enter.
  46. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – Golden". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  47. 1 2 3 "Canadian certifications – Kpop Demon Hunters". Music Canada . Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  48. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – Takedown". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  49. ↑ "British single certifications – Huntr/X/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – What It Sounds Like". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Who sing for Huntrix and Saja Boys? Meet the Korean industry insiders, rising stars behind Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters'". June 26, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  51. ↑ "'SNL': 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Give Surprise Performance In Skit Sending Up Popular Netflix Film". October 4, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  52. ↑ Luxford, Victoria. "'KPop Demon Hunters' stars debut 'Golden' live on Jimmy Fallon" (Article). Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  53. ↑ Peters, Michelle. "HUNTR/X Brings 'KPop Demon Hunters' to 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade With 'Golden' Performance" (Article). Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  54. ↑ Cha, E. "LE SSERAFIM And HUNTR/X's Singing Voices To Perform On "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve"" (Article). Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  55. ↑ Hatfield, Amanda. "Tinashe announces fall tour, prepping new album '333'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  56. ↑ Folk, Antwane (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Announces '333 Tour' Dates". Rated R&B. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  57. ↑ Brodsky, Rachel (July 12, 2021). "Tinashe Unveils North American Fall 2021 Tour Dates". UPROXX. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  58. ↑ Gwee, Karen (February 22, 2024). "SXSW 2024: Thuy and SE SO NEON lead Friends:Forever showcase of Asian talent". NME. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  59. ↑ Pinto, Julia (March 6, 2024). "Jaded Presents FRIENDS:FOREVER Showcase at SXSW 2024". SXSW. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  60. ↑ Abraham, Hannah (December 6, 2025). "Asia Artist Awards 2025 Winners List: IU, Stray Kids, And IVE Win Big At 10th Anniversary Ceremony". Forbes . Retrieved December 7, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  61. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (November 5, 2025). "'Wicked: For Good', 'Sinners' & 'F1' Lead Hollywood Music In Media Awards Nominations". Deadline . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  62. ↑ Grover, Ashima (August 21, 2025). "2025 K-World Dream Awards winners: Stray Kids, IVE's Wonyoung on popularity high; aespa, Seventeen snag Best Album". The Financial Express . Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  63. ↑ "2025 Main Voting Result". Korea Grand Music Awards . Archived from the original on November 21, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  64. ↑ Benito, Alba (October 16, 2025). "Estos son todos los nominados a LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2025" (in Spanish). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  65. ↑ Kim, Yeon-ju (November 29, 2025). '케데헌', '2025 마마 어워즈' 2관왕 달성 ['KDH' achieves two awards at the '2025 MAMA Awards']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  66. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 29, 2025). "Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter & More Nominated in Social Categories at 2025 VMAs: Full List". Variety . Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  67. ↑ Grover, Ashima (December 5, 2025). "2025 Melon Music Awards nominees: Seventeen, Jennie race for Album of the Year; US artists make the cut". The Financial Express . Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  68. ↑ Kim, Su-young (December 20, 2025). "다시보기 아니다"...'MMA 2025' 대상 3개 휩쓴 지드래곤 [종합] ["This is not a rewatch"...G-Dragon sweeps three grand prizes at 'MMA 2025' [Comprehensive]]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved December 20, 2025– via Naver.
  69. ↑ Aswad, Jem (November 18, 2025). "Tate McRae, the Marías, Buddy Guy, Alex Warren and KPop Demon Hunters to Be Honored at Variety's Ninth Annual Hitmakers Event". Variety . Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  70. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (January 5, 2026). "2026 Annie Awards Nominations: 'Elio,' 'KPop Demon Hunters' Lead Film Nods". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  71. ↑ "Brit Awards 2026: Full list of nominees". January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  72. ↑ Sullivan, Kevin P. (December 4, 2025). "Lady Gaga leads Gold Derby Music Awards nominations". Gold Derby . Archived from the original on December 5, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  73. ↑ Davidson, Denton (November 7, 2025). "2026 Grammy nominations: Full list (updating live)". Gold Derby. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  74. ↑ "Rei Ami | Artist | GRAMMY.com". The Recording Academy . Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  75. ↑ Grein, Paul (January 8, 2026). "Taylor Swift Leads 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nods: Full Nominations List". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  76. ↑ Lim, Jae-chong (January 6, 2026). 442만 소비자가 선택한 얼굴들…‘2026 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상’ 인물·문화 부문 발표 [Faces chosen by 4.42 million consumers...'2026 Korea First Brand Awards' Announcement in the People and Culture category] (in Korean). Seoul Shinmun . Retrieved January 6, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  77. ↑ "Music Awards Japan 2026: Preliminary nominations list". December 22, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  78. ↑ "Music City Film Critics Association" . Retrieved January 5, 2026.
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