Jay Park on ‘awkward’ fan meeting, why he didn’t do one for 11 years, and his soju brand
- The Korean-American rap and R&B star opens up about his recent two-day fan meeting in Seoul and why he wants soju to go global
Korean-American star Jay Park is known for many things, including being a rapper and an R&B artist, as well as a fan of garlic health drinks.
Park recently held a two-day fan meeting in Seoul, South Korea, for the first time in more than a decade. Between performing his hits, Park, known for his dedication to health drinks, minced garlic on stage for two fans who won a lucky draw to taste his drinks. During the show, fans waved garlic-shaped light sticks.
Hailing from the US state of Washington, Park stumbled into South Korea’s competitive pop industry after his mother suggested he try out for a K-pop audition, which he initially thought was just a talent show. He moved to South Korea, became a trainee under JYP Entertainment, and later debuted as a member of K-pop band 2PM in 2008.
His stint with the band was cut short in 2009 when old online comments about his difficulty adapting to an unfamiliar country surfaced, drawing harsh criticism from the media and the public. He eventually parted ways with the band and returned to his hometown.
Following Park’s return to the United States, public perceptions changed after people realised that his online messages had been taken out of context, leading to a strong demand for his return. He re-debuted as a solo artist in 2010.
