Jay Park reveals what he's learned about fame and how it 'could change in an instant'
Becoming a singer was never at the forefront of a young Jay Park's mind. He didn't take too much seriously, but enjoyed rapping and dancing. When his mom gave up on the idea of Jay attending college, she encouraged him to go to an audition.
"'Go audition for this thing and see where you stand; see where you stand within this industry,'" the 37-year-old recalls. At that audition, Park performed a self-written rap and freestyle danced and was selected to become a K-pop idol.
Almost two decades later, Park continues to release music and has added CEO and music label founder to his resume. His latest offering, "Jay Park Season 2," drops May 28.
"It all just happened very organically," Park tells USA TODAY. "It's almost like I didn't choose this career path, it kind of chose me, which sounds corny, but that's really how it happened."
Born in Seattle and raised in Edmonds, Washington, Park wasn't a model student. He often skipped class and had a "really bad GPA," he says.
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"My parents immigrated to the States in order for more opportunity and even for me as well," Jay says. "They wanted me to study well and become a doctor or lawyer."
But he never envisioned higher education and preferred rapping and dancing, having been introduced to hip-hop during the second grade thanks to a cousin.
"MTV and radio were very heavily influential at that time," he says. "I got really into R&B; you know like Michael Jackson, Usher, Ginuwine."
Paving his own career path
Park debuted with 2PM in 2008 and during the K-pop group's infancy, his social media posts sparked controversy. The fallout led to his departure from the group.
After moving back to the states, Jay began to rebuild his career. He wanted to showcase his individual talents and skills and began posting YouTube covers, later releasing his first EP in 2010. "I wanted to do things that I wanted to do and not cater too much to what people wanted," he says.
But Jay felt isolated on his own; a feeling that followed him around since youth. Park often felt like "the odd man out" growing up in the U.S. "I don't really fit in as an Asian, especially an Asian dude," he recalls.
When he moved to Korea, the disconnect continued. Jay didn't speak the language perfectly, nor did he understand the culture. People would constantly remind him that he was American.
"When I was younger, I didn't fit in anywhere," Park says. "I had to see where I fit in, and that's where I think hip-hop and dancing really gave me a sense of identity and a sense of belonging."
Park sought to establish a collective so he could "feed off energy; just do music together," he says. Jay's manager at the time sparked the idea to start his own label. Park founded AOMG in 2013 and H1GHER MUSIC in 2017 and served as CEO for both until 2021. In 2022, he established his latest label MORE VISION, home to artists including CHUNG HA.
"The reason why I made my own labels is because I wish I had someone to share these experiences or lend a helping hand or guide me to ... what I need to do with this type of fame or when stuff goes wrong," he says. "I never had that, I just had to figure it out for myself."
Especially now as Park embarks on making his own idol groups – both male and female – under MORE VISION, he wants to lead by example.
"I want to be a good mentor to these kids. We're investing our time and our money and they're investing their youth," he says. "I don't take anyone's time for granted. Their time is just as important to me as it is to them."
Entering 'Jay Park Season'
In the midst of all his business ventures, Park continues releasing solo music. His tracks "MOMMAE" and "All I Wanna Do" have garnered over 100 million streams on Spotify. He is among the top 1% of streaming artists in South Korea. He was also the first Asian artist signed to Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation.
Jay has never shied away from reflecting his personality in all that he does, particularly in his music. And his latest project "Jay Park Season" places Park back in the spotlight.
The series of EPs are the lead-up to a solo, R&B album; Jay's first one in eight years. "I had a catalog of a bunch of R&B songs that I've been working on for the past four or five years. I was too busy to finish," he shares.
Now, his artistry is returning with a mixture of old and new sounds. Songs written as far back as six year ago are juxtaposed against more recent musings. "You could see the change in attitude and of substance and content," he adds, "now, it's like a little bit more depth."
Park hopes his music can "age well." "It's not about right now. It's about five years. I want you to be able to listen to it 10 years from now and be like, 'Oh, that was a good song.'"
Reflecting on his career journey
Jay has been active for 16 years, and he's not slowing down anytime soon.
"I don't like to do things that come easy," he says. "I like to challenge myself because that's how you grow."
He felt this when launching his own soju brand, Won Soju. It took nearly four years to develop, but it was something new, motivating Park to work harder. And when he drinks soju, Jay says it depends on the occasion; it could be taking shots or mixing the alcohol with club soda.
Jay says he's always trying to become a better person, "to try to learn new things, be more understanding, patient, whatever it may be."
He's grateful for all his experiences since he knows anything "could change in an instant."
"Expect the unexpected and always try to be mindful and thankful," he says.
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