Issue 1: Emily Mei

Shirt: Nazranaa x AmbiKa Sanjana

In a rare moment of pause during her nonstop global travels, Emily Mei sat down with us in Los Angeles, just one stop in a whirlwind itinerary that has taken her from Seoul to Paris, Tokyo to New York, often in the same month. A true jetsetter in every sense, Emily is building bridges between East and West, online and offline, art and business.

Known to many as Emily Ghoul, she has carved a space that defies boundaries: musician, CEO, cultural strategist, content creator, and anime loving creative force. As Co-Founder of ArtisynX, she’s shaping the future of fandom and immersive entertainment, while simultaneously dropping genre blending music and working behind the scenes on projects that are changing how audiences experience culture.

Shirt & Skirt set: KAOS, Earrings: SKNDLSS, Heels: Claudio Merazzi

Catching her between meetings, rehearsals, and flights, we spoke to Emily about dual identities, emotional honesty in art, building a company from scratch, and why she believes authenticity is her greatest power even if it makes people uncomfortable.

FML: Many know you as Emily Ghoul, but behind that name is Emily Mei. How did the persona “Ghoul” originate, and what does it allow you to express that “Emily Mei” alone might not?
EM: Emily Ghoul comes from the anime Tokyo Ghoul haha it’s one of my favorite animes for a number of reasons. I just felt like sometimes … I’m a ghoul, sometimes I’m a human. Sometimes maybe I’m a potato, who knows.

FML: You’ve described your music writing as therapeutic, as you were going through a really hard time and turned emotions into songs. How do you now view vulnerability and authenticity in your creative process?
EM: I feel like as an artist you always give a piece of yourself to your art and most of the time that’s really scary. But if I’m not being real and vulnerable, is it really me? I feel art is therapy for me because it helps me release the things I may not say out loud directly and often keep inside.

Blazer: Amara, Top: Veronica Unsigned, Skirt: Genesis, Necklace: SKNDLSS, Boots: Valentina Rangoni Shoes

FML: You’ve moved across different creative fields including modeling, acting, singing, and content creation. At each transition, what internal or external cues told you it was time to take the next leap?
EM: I’m the kind of person who HAS to do things if I think about it. If I want to try something new, I can’t sleep until I figure out how to do it at 100% of my ability. So really everything I’ve done is based on the feeling of wanting and the fear of not trying.

FML: As the Co-Founder and CEO of ArtisynX, you’re actively creating experiences that bridge Eastern and Western media. How did this venture begin, and how do you see it transforming how global audiences consume and experience entertainment?
EM: ArtisynX was born from a dream of creating experiences for fans that are actually thoughtful and meaningful, by a team who’s fans of the culture. I’ve seen too many projects being run by people who just care about making money. I’m a huge fan myself and always joke I’m our target audience because I’m always collecting things and going to live events. Everyone in the company knows we’ve put our blood, sweat, and tears into every single project and we do it from a place of love for the community.

FML: Your debut song “My Domain” featured Sorn and Amber Liu, and you wrote it with them in mind. What was your vision for that track, and what did you hope each of them would bring?
EM: I wanted to write a song about being badasses. “My Domain” was actually a Jujutsu Kaisen reference haha “you’re in my domain, so no we’re not the same.” Amber and Sorn are two of my best friends and I could immediately hear both their voices on the song. Sorn’s beautiful voice over the hook and Amber’s swag in the rap. It was a natural writing session that just flowed.

Gown: OKSANA MUKHA, Corset: DIANA COUTURE, Gloves: DELAYNE DIXON, Earrings: Burak Jewelry, Boots: UNITED NUDE

FML: You’ve mentioned writing “Venom” during a confrontational mood, exploring toxic people and internal conflict. How did you approach turning a personal moment of frustration into a broader theme for your audience?
EM: I was in the studio with my team and they asked me what I wanted to write about. This vision of betrayal came flashing back to me. So we talked about the situation and… “Venom” was born. I think everyone’s felt wronged at some point. Listen to my song and know you’re better than them hehe.

FML: You spoke about learning choreography for the first time for one of your music videos. How did that process change your relationship with your body, stage presence, and performance?
EM: I’m not sure what compelled an uncoordinated potato like me to try dancing. I had a really difficult time with memorizing choreo. I always forgot the order of the steps and don’t even get me started on footwork. It was so frustrating. But damn did it feel good when I finally got it down. I learned anything is possible… just sleep less hahah.

FML: What’s your process like when balancing high-level creative decisions for your music while simultaneously running ArtisynX as a company?
EM: It was extremely difficult and ultimately I had to choose ArtisynX over my own artist work. I have a responsibility toward my team to give it 100% when they’re giving it 100%. I have about 5–6 unreleased songs waiting for when our company has some down time.

Jacket: Saint Laurent

FML: You played an advisory role in the GRAMMY Museum’s first ever K-pop exhibition. What did it mean to you to help introduce K-pop to a Western institution on that scale?
EM: This was a dream years in the making. When I first brought up the idea of a K-pop exhibition, it felt so far away. I always felt that Asian music should get the recognition it deserves. I introduced the companies, taught the museum team about K-pop, and finally saw it come to life. I’m so proud to have been a part of it, both as an Asian person and a fan of the culture.

FML: In that position as Advisor to the CEO, how did you ensure the cultural nuances and industry dynamics of K-pop were authentically and respectfully presented to a new audience?
EM: I always checked with people in the community. I might know a lot, but I don’t pretend to know everything. I double and triple-checked everything to make the most informed decisions possible. Anyone who thinks they know everything will always fail.

FML: Your work as a creative strategist often involves navigating both artistic vision and brand partnerships. How do you preserve authenticity while also building commercially successful campaigns?
EM: When I look at a project, I always ask: What do all parties want from this? The artist? The fans? The partners? Myself? Balancing all of those is easier said than done.

FML: As someone who understands both Eastern and Western media ecosystems, what are the biggest misconceptions each side has about the other?
EM: The communication style is the hardest. There are huge differences in how we work, talk, and even when we work. Some teams work until 6 AM while others don’t get why no one answers after 5 PM.

FML: You’ve talked about being a fan of anime and comics and weaving references into your songs. How do you balance niche cultural references with wider accessibility?
EM: I don’t haha. I kind of just make the reference. If you get it, you get it. If not… maybe you will one day. For the ones who know, they know.

FML: When younger fans or emerging creators and musicians reach out to you, what’s the most recurring question they ask?
EM: I often get asked how I got here. Honestly, I can’t say. I made a lot of hard choices and a lot of mistakes, but I kept moving forward and followed what I wanted. I can’t sleep until I do the things I set out to do. And somehow, here I am.

Gown: ALPANA NEERAJ, Earrings: ALEX AND ANI, Shoes: Malone Souliers

FML: You’ve taken on multiple roles as a musician, actor, CEO, host, and creator. How do you juggle them all and stay authentic?
EM: I always just say and do what I feel. Some people may not like it or think I’m harsh. But isn’t it worse to be fake?

FML: What’s the next chapter for Emily Mei?
EM: Growing my company to a place I can’t even imagine. I’m thankful every single day for my parents, my team, my friends. We work every single day. I don’t think we’ve had a day off this year. But I’m proud and I want to take us even higher.

FML: When you look five years ahead, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?
EM: I want to build a company that people trust. A company that creates joyful, unforgettable fan experiences. I want to set a new standard.

FML: If you could collaborate with any musician or artist, living or past, who would it be?
EM: I’d love to collab with my friend LiSA. She’s insanely talented and I respect her so much.

Emily’s story reminds us that true creativity comes from embracing complexity, balancing multiple identities, overcoming fears, and daring to leap into the unknown. With her company ArtisynX growing rapidly and her own artistry evolving, Emily Mei is set to leave a lasting legacy as a global cultural ambassador who never forgets the power of being real.

Dress: SAMUEL GÄRTNER, Coat: Maison Corinna Houidi, Earrings: Burkinabaé, Boots: Bared Footwear

Emily’s #FMLFaves

Favorite Song: Damn that’s hard…. Lately ? MakeDamnSure by Taking Back Sunday

Favorite Movie: Oh man so hard. I’m watching too many animes haha go watch Gachiakuta

Favorite Dish: Anything with carbs. Always carbs.

What’s in your bag? Wallet, lip gloss, AirPods, snacks, more snacks…. Other snacks

EIC:

Gina Kim-Park ( @ginakpark )

Photography & Creative Direction:

Reinhardt Kenneth ( @reinhardtkenneth )

Muse:

Emily Mei ( @emily.ghoul )

Production Manager:

Min Lee ( @lee.a.min )

Fashion Stylist:

Michelle Wu ( @michellewustyle )

Hair Stylist:

Lavi Maspero ( @lavimaspero )

Lighting Director:

Hugo Arvizu ( @arvizu_arts )

Digitech:

Suimay Lee ( @suimaylee )

Photographer’s Assistant & BTS:

Ralphy Valle ( @ralphyvalle )

Retoucher:

Valeria Mediana ( @mediana.retouch )

#FMLMagazine