Biography of Jay Park
Jay Park is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and entrepreneur based in South Korea. He is a member of the Seattle-based b-boy crew Art of Movement (AOM). He is the founder and CEO of the hip-hop record labels, ‘AOMG’ and ‘H1ghr Music’ as well as the founder of the record label ‘More Vision’.
He was a trainee for four years under the record label JYP Entertainment and gradually rose to fame as the leader of the South Korean boy band, ‘2PM’. In June 2010, he returned to South Korea for the filming of Hype Nation. The same year he signed a contract with SidusHQ, the largest entertainment agency in South Korea.
Jay Park is celebrated both as a solo singer and a rapper, whose musical identity underwent rebranding and re-debuting. He also has partaken in the underground hip-hop culture in South Korea.
Early Life and Education
Jay Park was born on 25 April 1987 in Edmonds, in the Seattle metropolitan area in Washington. His parents are Park Young-jun and Choi Mi-jung. He has a brother whose name is Jehan Park. From his early years, he showcased an affinity for hip-hop music and break dance more than his academics. He completed high school in Edmonds Woodway. He was passionate about dancing and used to practice with his friends during his leisure hours.
He was an ardent listener of hip-hop and rap music during his adolescent days and contributed his time mostly to learning and writing rap in high school. He was the first member to join the Seattle-based b-boy crew Art of Movement(AOM). He used to skip classes to participate in multiple b-boy competitions, and it was his mother’s persuasion that made him appear for a locally advertised talent audition which was conducted by South Korean conglomerate JYP Entertainment.
Jay Park was officially contacted and selected by JYP Entertainment after his succession in the audition, making him climb the ladder of the Korean boy band as an idol. He came to South Korea in 2005, for his intense training in dance, rapping, singing and the Korean language under the solid administration of JYPE. He, in due course, completed his university education at Dankook University, Yongin, South Korea.
Career
Jay Park made his first appearance through ‘Hot Blood Men’, Mnet’s documentary-style reality programme that exhibited the future members of One Day. The participants are separated into two idol groups 2 AM and 2PM in training. He won and was selected as the leader of 2PM with the most fan votes.
On 4 September 2008, 2PM debuted with their song ’10 Out of 10′ on the M! Countdown music program. Prior to their debut, 2PM released their first mini-album ‘Hottest Time of the Day’. He created the song ‘Jeong’, with Yeeun of the Wonder Girls for the original soundtrack of the television drama ‘Conspiracy in the Court’. Park featured on V.O.S’s ‘To Luv’.
Jay Park has participated in special stage performances, including Navi’s ‘Heart Damage’, which was released on 3 May 2009 and K Will’s ‘One Drop per Second’ on 20 June 2009. Along with fellow members of 2PM, Park was featured in Idol Show, ‘Wild Bunny’ as well as being a regular cast member in multiple variety programs like ‘Star King’ and ‘Introducing a Star’s Friend’. Park, along with Nicole Jung, a fellow KARA bandmate, became the new hosts for ‘Nodaji’, the cultural variety show.
With the controversy over the unfavourable comments he made towards Korea, in his personal Myspace account, he officially left the group and returned to his hometown. With the firestorm of controversies, his vocals were removed from his older promoted songs with 2PM, and the group continued as a 6-member group. On 31 October 2009, the group refilmed their music video of ‘Heartbeat’ without Park. 2PM’s first official album titled ‘1:59 PM’ according to the members was to symbolize Park’s absence.
Creating his YouTube Channel and Solo Debut
Soon after Jay Park returned to the United States, the South Korean public changed their perspective on the matter when they realized that his Myspace messages had been severely mistranslated and taken out of context. During his time in Seattle, he was seen at b-boy battles with the fellow Art of Movement members. In 2009, JYP announced the contract termination of Jay Park which led to fan commotion both domestically and internationally. The various Jay Park dedicated forums and fansites worldwide organised silent protests and flash dance mobs. He was a very trending topic on Twitter, even surpassing the Oscars.
He created his own YouTube channel titled ‘@Jayaparkoam‘ where he uploaded his first own version of ‘Nothin’ on You’, which beat the internet and reached over 2,000,000 views in less than 24 hours. Upon Park’s release, the original song by B.o.B and Bruno Mars topped the Cyworld music chart upon the video’s release. Park’s video ‘Nothin on You’ earned $300,000 in sales. On 15 June 2010, B.o.B released ‘Nothin’ on You’ featuring Park in South Korea replacing Bruno Mar’s vocals. With his YouTube cover, the song gained commercial success and popularity with more than 5 million copies sold.
For the annual Korean-American festival event called ‘Project Korea III: KSA Cinderella Story’, he appeared along with the fellow Art of Movement members at Rutgers University, New Jersey along with Ailee and Clara C. Jonathan Edgar Park (Dumbfoundead), the Argentinian-born American rapper and actor, released a free collaboration track with Park and Clara Chung on his website titled ‘Clouds’.
Ned Sherman, the Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney as well as the CEO of Digital Media Wire announced he would represent Park as his legal representative. The Shermans and Park worked on multiple projects including his movie deal for ‘Hype Nation’, an endorsement deal with ‘dENiZEN’, ‘Levi Strauss & Co.’s’ new brand, and others.
He returned to Korea for the filming of Hype Nation and was exposed to the biggest crowd at the airport. Park’s return became the hottest headline in Korea and became a trending topic on Twitter. It was revealed that his single ‘Demon’ would be included in Hype Nations’ original soundtrack. In 2011, Jay Park released the digital single album ‘Demon’ on 5 September. He signed a contract with SidusHQ where he would be re-debuting as a rookie artist.
He released his first extended play ‘Count on Me’ on 13 July 2010. The EP is the adaptation of B.o.B’s hit song Nothin’ on You, where a cover was initially released by him on YouTube. The EP topped number one in sales and ranked number seven in the overall ranking of albums. The EP ranked number 32 on Gaon’s year-end chart earning Park nearly 700 million.
Jay Park worked with the singer, producer and fellow AOM member, Cha Cha Malone. They both released ‘Bestie’, in Korean and English, as well as a duet titled ‘Speechless’. He also collaborated with rappers like Dok2 and The Quiett of Illionaire Records. For the 3rd International Secret Agents Los Angeles concert which was held in Cerritos and California, Park participated along with other notable YouTube celebrities Ryan Higa, KevJumba, AJ Rafael, Alyssa Bernal, Far East Movement, and America’s Best Dance Crew Season 5 champions, Poreotix.
Jay Park was a cast member for the 2011 Korean movie ‘Mr. Idol’ starring Kim Su-ro, his friend and fellow SidusHQ. For the Seoul Soul Festival held at the War Memorial of Korea, Park performed along with SE7EN, Taeyang and Musiq Soulchild. Park organized a charity concert called ‘White Love Party Concert’ featuring Supreme Team and Dok2. At the ‘Fever Seoul Live’ Park together with Art of Movement performed alongside Dumbfoundead, David Choi, and several international b-boys.
Growth of Fame as a Solo Artist
Park was the winner in the Best Web Video Category internationally for his song ‘Nothin’ on You’ at the Mashable Awards. He gained the position second for his nomination for the Must Follow Personality category for the same. He was featured in two music videos of girl group, 5dolls called ‘Lips Stains’ and ‘It’s You’. For the 2011 Hyundai Mall 40th Anniversary Concert, he was the sole opener for Ne-Yo in his first concert in Seoul. For the joint venture between Shorty Awards and Nokia, he was the finalist and received the most votes in the special category of Connecting People Award and also the finalist in the Celebrity category for the same event.
On 27 April 2011, Jay Park released his first Korean mini-album titled ‘Take a Deeper Look’ with the lead single ‘Abandoned’. The album debuted number three on the Billboard World Album Charts and was ranked number 26 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart. After two years, Park made his solo debut on Korean music shows like KBS’ Music Bank, Mnet’s M! Countdown, MBC’s Music Core and SBS’ Inkigayo. Park smashed a record as the first crowned winner at a debut stage, twice winning Music Bank.
Jay Park participated in the KBS Immortal Songs 2 episode, performing ‘Candy’ along with the Korean boy band H.O.T with its leader Moon Hee-joon. On the third episode of Immortal Songs 2 Park performed ‘Tell Me the Truth’ by Jinusean with artists like Solbi, Jang Hyuk and Kim Su-ro. Park made his own R&B version of Feel Good Day by Kim Wan-sun. With a b-boy dance break, Park performed a remixed version of ‘Look Back at Me’ by Deux. On the final appearance of the sixth episode, Park performed ‘Dear, Do Not Change’ by Nam Jin and also won the trophy for his performance. To perform at the International Secret Agents Los Angeles concert, Park returned to the US.
In 2012, Jay Park released his Korean Hip-Hop Rap ‘Girlfriend’ from the album ‘New Breed’ whose music video was released on his YouTube channel as well. The single ranked number 28 on the Gaon chart. Park released his first Korean studio album ‘New Breed’ with the lead single ‘Star’ on 7 February 2012. Star was surpassed and peaked at several music sites like Bugs, Olleh Music, and Soribada while being at the top of other charts’ music sites. ‘Star’ topped number 17 on the Gaon Chart.
Release of his New Albums – New Breed and Fresh Air: Breathe It
For the 26th Golden Disk Awards in Osaka, Park received the Disk Bonsang for his mini album ‘Take a Deeper Look’. Among the other Bonsang winners, Park was the only solo artist to receive the Disk Bonsang. Park received the Popular Artist Award at the Asia Model Awards held in Seoul. Apart from his solo releases and collaborations, Park has also composed and written songs for other artists and idol groups like Brian Joo (Can’t Stop), U-Kiss (4U) and Tiny-G (Polaris). In the fourth Korean album by Younha, Park’s track ‘Driver’ was also included.
Jay Park released his first full-length Korean album ‘New Breed’ in 2012 with the lead single ‘Know Your Name’. The album topped number 1, twice on the Gaon Weekly album chart and Hanteo Weekly chart in South Korea. The album debuted number 4, on the Billboard World Album Charts and topped 16 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart. He toured 5 countries: Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan for the promotion of the Asian version release of his album ‘New Breed’. Under the label Universal J, he released the Japanese editions of his album Take a Deeper Look and New Breed.
Park headlined the APAHM tour organized by Verizon in the US organizing concerts in Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. On 16 May 2012, he released his first official mixtape with 6 tracks and was released as a free download on several websites including SoundCloud, Mediafire, DatPiff, Park’s official website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channel. Within a month, the mixtape was certified Gold by Datpiff within a month of its release and was downloaded over 100,000 times. He was the first Asian artist to achieve this result on Datpiff.
Jay Park performed the windup at the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia along with the Canadian American singer Justin Bieber, the Korean girl band KARA, and the Malaysian singer Mizz Nina. Through his YouTube channel, he started a web series titled ‘Jay Park TV’ which was filmed and edited by his friend and fellow Art of Movement member, Hep. The series is about his daily life with his friends, behind-the-scenes concerts and filming and the merrymaking and amusement he gets up to.
Along with Kim Eung-soo and Kwon Oh-joong, Park was announced to be a fixed panel member for the MBC’S ‘Come to Play’. He was featured in the show titled ‘Trueman Show’. He successfully held concerts in Australia in major places like Sydney and Melbourne. He performed ‘The Woman in Rain’ by Shin Jung-hyeon, in ‘Immortal Songs 2 King of Kings’. He was featured in the digital single by NS Yoon-G titled ‘If You Love Me’. He was the host of ‘Saturday Night Live Korea’ for the December 1 episode. As of his presence, the show had the highest ratings for that season.
International Road to Stardom
After the episode in 2012, on 6 February 2013, it was announced that Jay Park would be a part of the cast of Saturday Night Live Korea. In 2013, on Valentine’s Day he released the song ‘Appetizer’ with the music video and it was produced by Cha Cha Malone, his friend and fellow member of Art of Movement. He received attention for his parody skit of the film ‘Holiday’ with the Korean actor and host of the episode Choi Min-soo. In 2013, Jay Park was featured in the single by Mizz Nina. On 28 February 2013, he won the Musician of the Year Award and his studio album ‘New Breed’ was nominated in the Best R&B and Soul Album category.
In the March edition of Men’s Health Korea magazine, he featured on the cover and it was chosen by the staff as the best in the 7 years of history in Men’s Health Korea magazine. The same cover was used for the April edition of Men’s Health China for its 10th-anniversary edition.
On 10 April 2013, Park released his song ‘Joah’ internationally and in Korea as a three-track digital single of the same name. The other tracks on the single are titled ‘1 Hunnit’ and ‘Welcome’. The tracks in the single were produced by Art of Movement member Cha Cha Malon. As for his 26th Birthday, he released a music video for the song ‘Welcome’, which was released in 2014 from the album ‘Evolution’.
For the American science-fiction thriller film ‘After Earth’, Jay Park was personally contacted for the soundtrack of the film by Will Smith and Jaden Smith. The song ‘I Like 2 Party’, was produced by Cha Cha Malone and it was the ending theme for the Korean version of ‘After Earth’. The song was written and composed by Jay Park.
Along with Will and Jaden Smith, Park attended the After Earth red carpet premiere in Korea. For the Korean drama, ‘She is Wow’ Jay Park along with Seul-gi released the song titled ‘Ride Girl’. Park released ‘I Like 2 Party’, a four-track EP with a music video which was filmed in Los Angeles.
On 1 September 2014, Jay Park released his second full-length album ‘Evolution’. The album pays tributes to Micheal Jackson and R&B throwback ballads in its 17 tracks. Park was the judge on Mnet’s rap competition program ‘Show Me the Money 4’ in 2015. Park’s other tracks include ‘Lotto’, ‘All I Got Time For’, ‘On It’, ‘Want It’, ‘Mommae’ and ‘Sex Trip’, ‘My Last’.
On 5 November 2015, Jay Park released his third studio album ‘Worldwide’. The album topped number 5 on the Billboards World Albums chart. Park’s music video release credits include ‘Bo$$’, ‘Worldwide x Want It’ and ‘In this B*tch x My’. On 20 October 2016, Park released his fourth solo album ‘Everything You Wanted’. The album was released in English and Korean with 19 tracks featuring R&B. The album topped number 3 on the Billboards World Albums chart.
Park was the first ever Asian American artist on the record label to sign the label Roc Nation, for activities in the US. For the second season of Asia’s Got Talent, Park replaced Melaine C and Vanness Wu was one of the judges along with Anggun and David Foster. To unmask the talents of both Seattle and South Korean hip hop, Park, along with producer Cha Cha Malone, found the record label H1ghr Music in 2017.
Jay Park released his first official single ‘SOJU’ featuring 2 Chainz under the label Roc Nation in 2018. ‘Ask Bout Me’, was Park’s debut American project, an English-language EP on 20 July 2018. The EP featured notable artists like Rich the Kid, Vic Mensa, Cha Cha Malone and GroovyRoom. His fifth solo studio album was titled ‘The Road Less Travelled’ and was released on 7 June 2019.
Jay Park released his collaborative EP with the American producer Hit-Boy in 2019, titled ‘This Wasn’t Supposed to Happen’. He is also associated with the Latin artist Mozart La Para for the single ‘Son Malas’. His appearance as the first-ever non-Chinese guest judge in the fourth season of ‘The Rap of China’ in 2020, subjected him to controversies both from China as well as Korea.
Park was the CEO of both AOMG and H1gher Music labels and on 31 December 2021, he voluntarily left but continued as their adviser. He established his own label called More Vision on 3 March 2022. On 12 July 2022, he released his single titled ‘Need to Know’. Park was accoladed as one of GQ Korea’s Men of the Year.
Achievements
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For the Asia Model Awards in 2012, Jay Park won the Popular Artist Award.
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In 2017, 2018 and 2021 Jay Park won the Artist of the Year at the Korean Hip Hop Awards.
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He won the 2013 and 2015 Male Musician of the Year Netizen Vote at the Korean Music Awards.
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In 2017, at the Korean Music Awards, Jay Park won the Musician of the Year.
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He won the Best Web Video Category internationally for his song Nothin’ on You at the Mashable Awards.
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He was the only artist who, among other Bonsang winners, received the Disk Bonsang for his mini album ‘Take a Deeper Look’ at the 26th Golden Disk Awards.
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For the Red Bull BC One, Jay Park served as the emcee.
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He was selected as the R-16 Korea ambassador by the Korea Tourism Organization on 23 April 2012.
Credit: Soundcloud
Military Life
Personal Life
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Awards
- Korean Hip Hop Awards (2017, 2018, 2021)
The Artist of the Year (2017, 2018, 2021) - Korean Music Awards (2017)
- The Musician of the Year (2017)
- 26th Golden Disk Awards (2012)
The Disk Bonsang - Asia Model Awards (2012)
The Popular Artist Award (2012)
Interesting Facts about Jay Park
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Jay Park is the CEO of the successful soju brand ‘Won Soju’.
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Jay Park credits Usher as his idol and as one of his biggest influences.
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Jay Park’s soju necklace was made by Ben Baller.
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Jay had good vision, but a few years ago his vision got blurry, so he wears contact lenses.
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Park is the first Asian to sign with Roc Nation.
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Park was the judge for Asia’s Got Talent for season 2 and season 3.
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In 2012, Park was chosen as the new model for the casual clothing brand, Googims.
FAQs
- Is Jay Park married?
Jay Park keeps his personal life private. From the information available, he is single and is not married. - When is Jay Park’s birthday?
He celebrates his birthday on 25 April. - How old is Jay Park?
As of 2023, Jay Park is 36 years old. - What is Jay Park’s Instagram ID?
‘@moresojuplease‘ is his Instagram ID with 3M followers.
