SEOUL, South Korea – Korean-American star Jay Park is known for many things, including being a rapper and R&B artist, as well as a lover of healthy garlic drinks.
Park held a two-day fan meeting in Seoul over the weekend for the first time in over a decade. Between performances of his hit songs, Park, who is known for his commitment to health drinks, chopped garlic on stage for two fans who were given a chance to try his garlic health drinks in a raffle. Fans waved garlic-shaped glow sticks during the show.
A native of Washington state, Park stumbled into South Korea’s competitive pop industry after his mother suggested he enter a K-pop audition, which he initially thought was just a talent show. He moved to South Korea, became a trainee at JYP Entertainment, and later debuted as a member of the K-pop band 2PM.
His time with the band was ended in 2009 when his old online comments about his difficulties adjusting to a foreign country surfaced, drawing harsh criticism from the media and the public. He eventually parted ways with the band and returned to his hometown. After Park’s return to the United States, public perception changed as people realized that his online messages had been taken out of context, leading to strong calls for his return. In 2010, he debuted again as a solo artist.
Park has become one of the biggest names in the Asian entertainment industry as a recording artist, founder of three well-known South Korean music labels, and entrepreneur of a Korean liquor brand.
In an interview, Park talked about his long-overdue fan meeting, being the first K-pop star to open an OnlyFans account, and his upcoming foray into K-pop management with two soon-to-debut bands.
His interview with the Associated Press has been edited for length and clarity.
Korean-American star Jay Park performs at a fan meeting at Myunghwa Live Hall in Seoul on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Photo credit: AP/Juwon Park
Q: This is your first fan meeting in over a decade. How did it come about and how was it meeting the fans?
A: I got a lot of support and love from the fans, but I felt like I never deserved it. I also wanted people to know the real me, as a person and as an artist. My mindset back then was that I didn’t want to rely on the fans too much and keep taking money from them. I didn’t want to do that. But I realized that they want to show their support and I’m also about giving back. So right now it’s just the perfect opportunity to meet my fans.
Q: You just talked about the “real you.” Who is the real you? Is there a side of you that people should see more of?
A: I don’t want people to see anything. If you see me, you see me. If you don’t, you don’t see me. I don’t have a stage name. My name is Jay Park. There aren’t many people who are active under their real names. I’m probably one of the few. I’ve been like this for, what, 16 years now? And I work with people I want to work with. I make music I want to make. I’m not hungry or thirsty for recognition or to be accepted anymore.
Korean-American star Jay Park performs at a fan meeting at Myunghwa Live Hall in Seoul on Sunday, August 11, 2024 Photo credit: AP/Juwon Park
Q: How was it to see your fans again after a long time?
A: I was surprised that a lot of my fans were a little more shy. But I think that’s because there’s no one who really cares about my fan base. So it’s like everyone is kind of scattered, and when they all come together in one place for the first time in 11 years, it’s kind of weird for them too. It’s weird for me. So everyone was really shy. I’m glad that 11 years later we can meet and celebrate each other.
Q: I heard you are the first K-pop star to open an OnlyFans account. What is the reason behind that?
A: I put out a song called “McNasty,” which is kind of reminiscent of (my previous song) “Mommae.” So it’s a little bit raunchier and more explicit. I’ve put out hundreds of songs and the promotion can’t be the same every time. Especially because we’re not spending millions and millions of dollars. We have to be creative. It’s not like I suddenly started OnlyFans to do porn. But that’s the thing. I used that branding to market myself in the song, to get attention for the song, and it worked exactly as planned. It became a huge thing.
Q: How do you stay up to date with trends?
A: I don’t follow trends. I have certain morals and certain standards, and I just follow those standards. And that’s what got me to where I am now. I never take shortcuts. I don’t take shortcuts. I think that’s what got me far. And I’ve always tried to be the best person and act like a good person.
Q: Your Korean liquor brand WONSOJU is sold worldwide. Why did you enter the soju (a distilled clear Korean alcoholic beverage) business?
A: I wanted to have traditionally distilled premium soju and distribute it worldwide so that people would realize that soju is not just a cheap alcohol that you can just get drunk on. There is really good soju. Just like there is good whiskey, good sake, there is also good soju.
Q: Is soju your favorite liquor?
A: I like soju and wine.
Q: You’ve hinted that an album is coming out soon. When is it coming out?
A: It is scheduled to be released in October.
