Jay Park explains his abrupt departure

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

K-pop icon cites mistake, bad publicity, private blunder and ‘more’


K-pop singer and b-boy Park Jae-beom at the studio shooting his upcoming music video “Abandoned” in Gyeonggi province.

Many reasons have been suggested as to why he bolted from 2PM in his heyday, including “bad online publicity” and a “private blunder.” Now the K-pop singer and b-boy, Park Jae-beom, has finally spoken up.

In an exclusive interview with The Korea Herald, he said his abrupt departure was not caused by one reason alone. “There is more to it than the story people know,” he said during his shoot for the upcoming music video “Abandoned” at a studio in Gyeonggi province.

The former 2PM leader, 23, left Korea in September 2009 after leaving the group amid a quarrel that erupted over his criticism of Korea, which he posted on his personal MySpace account four years prior to their debut.

Six months after the scandal hit in March 2010, Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment, to which Jae-beom belonged, recalled that he could not keep Jae-beom from bolting from the boy band due to his determination to take responsibility for his behavior.

Park Jin-young later made a follow-up announcement, stating that the agency had terminated its exclusive contract with Jay, as Jae-beom is also called, due to a “personal wrongdoing,” sealing his departure from the agency. Since then, he has been busy with his new album and movie releases.

Q: Don’t you think the whole process of leaving the team and the country was a snap judgment? Some people regard your abrupt leave as running away. What are your thoughts on the public sentiment?
A: Well I didn’t really run away. There is more to the story than people know but I can’t really say everything. I didn’t just “run away,” there is just much more to the story than people know. It’s because of a lot of things, I mean, they don’t really have to know. What happened in the past is over. There is no reason why we need to talk about it again. It was a long time ago. There was a lot of different ways I could have handled the situation but that’s just how I handled it. Maybe I was wrong, and maybe I wasn’t. I don’t really regret it.

Q: But, how about the fans here in Korea?
A: I’m sorry for all the fans that were disappointed but people make mistakes. I just didn’t want to put negative pressure on my group. They were receiving a lot of hatred back then because of me, so I just wanted to separate myself from all that.

Q: If you missed 2PM, did you contact them? I’m sure you still have their numbers?
A: Yeah. I did. I contacted Nichkhun and wished him a happy birthday, and he said “thank you.” I am on good terms with them. Well, it’s much more complicated than that though. I don’t ask anyone about their relationships, it’s just none of their business. It’s our business. The public don’t really need to get into that.

Q: Why do you think you attracted so much anger here? Do you think the criticisms went a little overboard? You believe that your leave was necessary?
A: People just misunderstood everything. They thought I was a racist against the Koreans. Which is weird because I’m Korean and my parents are Korean. So that’s kind of impossible. I just said a lot of stupid things when I was younger. And, no, I don’t think they were too harsh. Everything happens for a reason, people make mistakes, and I made a mistake. It just depends on how you learn from it. If you can grow from it and become a better person; at the end of the day it’s all good. When I look back at myself, I was just negative, ignorant and immature back then.

(Last month, Jay Park left an official apology message on his Daum online fan community website to 2PM and his former agency, JYP. In the statement, he said he was sorry for causing trouble for members of 2PM due to his breakaway from the group. He also said it was regrettable that he disappointed JYP entertainment producer Park.)

Q: What is your relationship with JYP now after the apology? Why did you decide to write an official letter all of a sudden?
A: Well, I have been apologizing for a long time, it’s just that now I’m coming out with an album and CD. I just wanted to put everything to rest, I guess for one last time, and just stop talking about it but obviously people like talking about it. My fans just hope that I just get done with it.

Q: So you are on good terms again with JYP after you made your apology official. Did you recently talk to him directly?
A: No. Look, I’m on good terms with everyone. Personally I don’t have bad feelings for anyone. I’m just being me, and I’m just trying to support my family and support my crew, I don’t care about anyone else. I don’t care what people think, I don’t care what they say, I don’t care if they dislike me or hate me, if they want me to fail, I don’t care. It’s just me doing my thing. I wish them the best of luck, but we’re separate now, you know. Live with it. If we can’t get over it, then whatever. I’m totally over it.

Q: I heard that JYP helped you when you were in Seattle?
A: I guess he just told me to keep on trucking. But that was way back then, a long time ago, like a year-and-a-half ago. Then he stopped calling me.

(Last year, however, fans of 2PM vented indignation toward the boy band after the 2PM members expressed hatred toward their former leader. His fans held a debate forum on Feb. 27 with fans to discuss their future course of action, with the group members present at the meeting. At the meeting, they unexpectedly voiced criticism of Jae-beom. All six remaining members said “yes” without any hesitation, in response to the question of whether they supported Jae-beom’s leaving. They said that he behaved inappropriately as a group member.”

Briefing him with the story, it seemed that Jay had not been aware of it. He answered. “Are you positive? Maybe it’s rumor.”)

Q: If you had not apologized officially, were you aware that it could have worked as an obstacle for your new album release? Is it wrong to see this as some kind of a strategy to establish firm ground for your career?
A: If it was an obstacle, I would just find a different way to do it. I apologized, regardless, like the reason I’m putting out an album is just for my fans. So if I go on, my fans are going to love it, I’m satisfied with that.

(After Jay’s official apology last month, the influential Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Art Industry (KFPCAI) issued a statement, allowing the singer to appear on Korean music shows. Up until now, under SidusHQ Entertainment, Jay was unable to promote the album on Korean TV music shows like “Inkigayo,” “Music Core,” “Music Bank” and “Mnet Countdown” due to an apparent ban imposed against him ever since the “2PM scandal.”)

Q: What’s the first thing your parents said when you arrived in Seattle?
A: They just said “it’s okay.”

Q: From what I understand, the 19 months after the scandal was not just kick-back time for you. What have you been working on?
A: I just had a lot of fan meetings in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Korea. I also worked at a tire shop back at home in Seattle, for 4 months for about $10 an hour, it wasn’t bad. I just didn’t want to live off my parents’ money. I just chilled with my friends and was busy with b-boy battles and things like that. Lately, I have been working on my new album, and was also busy shooting the movie, “Hype nation.” I’ve participated in b-boy competitions as a member of a b-boy crew called Art of Movement (AOM).

Q: Why did you decide to come back to Korea? Couldn’t you have continued with your career back in the states?
A: Because most of my friends are in Korea, I can’t not come back to Korea and just put an album out in the states because my Korean fans are here. I’m sure they are happier with me coming here.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming song, album, movie and your new-set resolution.
A: I am working on a Korean album right now that’s going to come out in April. I did all the vocal arrangements and lyrics. I’m also beginning to shoot a movie called “Happy Together,” that will be released this September, don’t know much about it yet.

With my new songs, I’m just trying to portray the type of music that I want to do that represents me. There’s not a lot of hip-hop and R&B in the K-pop scene right now so I’m just trying to do that, and show people that hip-hop and R&B can be good music too and it doesn’t always have to be a repetitive hook or addictive hook, it can be just good music to listen to.

As for my future goal, I don’t really set goals. I’m just trying to do this for my fans and do what I want to do. And the most important thing in the world to me is to make my friends and my family proud and to get respect for all my fellow b-boys and fellow rappers and dancers.

Q: Anything you want to add for your fans?
A: I’d love to go to Japan, as I was supposed to go in May, but I don’t know what’s going to go on with all the earthquakes. I am willing to go to do a free show and donate what I can to the victims.

Source:  Hwang Jurie @ The Korea Herald

Comments

[srijoni-rhea.livejournal.com]

i don't wanna offend anyone, but is it just me or does jay give off a huuuuge IDGAF attitude here that comes off as kinda rude?

[after-an.livejournal.com]

Really? Not offended but I didn't get the same sense. :S

[theperfect4.livejournal.com]

"I don’t care what people think, I don’t care what they say, I don’t care if they dislike me or hate me, if they want me to fail, I don’t care. It’s just me doing my thing. I wish them the best of luck, but we’re separate now, you know. Live with it. If we can’t get over it, then whatever. I’m totally over it."

"I’m totally over it."

"I’m totally over it."

"I’m totally over it."

now everyone else should get over it too.

[cher-ex3.livejournal.com]

MTE.

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't exactly say he ran way, more like was driven out of the country. I mean ffs they had a suicide petition for him.

[paulaaaaa.livejournal.com]

ia, those 3000 signatures were mental.

[asth77.livejournal.com]

Lol yes and you will never know. Deal with it?

[aniloratka.livejournal.com]

I wish they didn't remind me of this whole situation, I just want to see Jay now as a separate performer, not as a 'former 2PM leader'
but I guess there is still long way to it

[geekpants.livejournal.com]

Call me out for stoking the fire, but I honestly find it so hard to take this seriously:

Q: What is your relationship with JYP now after the apology? Why did you decide to write an official letter all of a sudden?
A: Well, I have been apologizing for a long time, it’s just that now I’m coming out with an album and CD.

Somehow, I feel like that answer was all that needs to be said about his intentions. I do wish he'd have just kept a dignified silence like 2PM did - especially, considering the intensely scrutinising entertainment industry/culture he's trying to make it in.

It comes off like he made the stupid decision in leaving the band, now he's trying to get it back. That's just my personal take on it.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

But if he had kept his silence he would be still banned from programs. It's pretty obvious that SidusHQ and JYPE stroke a deal that Jay can do a proper comeback if he does this apology media round.

[shampoo.livejournal.com]

i'm not really a huge 2pm fan and i came into fandom after the whole thing with jay leaving SO bear in mind i only know the basics about what happened -- but either way all i get from this article is a kid who really wants to get past a difficult, messed up situation and an interviewer who won't drop said situation from the conversation. i definitely see jay having an attitude, and getting defensive. but i don't blame him lmao, i would've punched the interviewer.

[unreal.livejournal.com]

an interviewer who won't drop said situation from the conversation
All I get from that. Is that SidusHQ could have rejected the interview if they didn't want to be asked about it. Still SidusHQ went along with it. And then you should just accept what's being asked.

[ss501pixie.livejournal.com]

I felt kinda sad reading this part.He still belives that they didn't have a choice
("Briefing him with the story, it seemed that Jay had not been aware of it. He answered. “Are you positive? Maybe it’s rumor.”)

Well it's in the past im just excited for his new album

[ramunerain.livejournal.com]

'Everything happens for a reason..'
read that in Khun's voice. orz

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

lol.

[ayumikoshiro.livejournal.com]

I wonder if he really made some personal mistake or if it;s just part of his contract to say he did so. Half of me is like JYP isn't a totally evil guy so it may be true but another part thinks hmmmm maybe. Oh well I hope now that the ban is removed he can do his own thing like he wants to. More power to Jay and his bumblebees.

[x3eviie.livejournal.com]

http://jaypark.net/2011/02/go-jae-yeol-jay-park%E2%80%99s-apology-was-enough-here-is-why/
It talks about the so called ~mistake~ he made. The reporter said it's more of a misfortunate than a mistake.

[asth77.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Jay even knows what 2PM said at the conference ... I thought he knew 0-0 I'm starting to think he dosen't know. That's really painful, because i think his feelings aren't shared by the rest of the members minus Khun.

[asth77.livejournal.com]

I didn't read fully. He didn't know from the start, WTF.

[peachmacaroons.livejournal.com]

I thought this was going to be more than just Jay explaining why he apologized AGAIN and actually about his "departure". I'd rather no articles about the scandal than these "titillating" articles that talk about the same thing over and over.

Also, Jay asking if what happened at the conference really fucking breaks my OT7 heart. ♥

[junhobrand.livejournal.com]

(Last year, however, fans of 2PM vented indignation toward the boy band after the 2PM members expressed hatred toward their former leader. His fans held a debate forum on Feb. 27 with fans to discuss their future course of action, with the group members present at the meeting. At the meeting, they unexpectedly voiced criticism of Jae-beom. All six remaining members said “yes” without any hesitation, in response to the question of whether they supported Jae-beom’s leaving. They said that he behaved inappropriately as a group member.”

Briefing him with the story, it seemed that Jay had not been aware of it. He answered. “Are you positive? Maybe it’s rumor.”)

that must have been a wake up call....

i have mixed feelings about this interview though....

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

awww that's kind of sad.

[fuuism.livejournal.com]

There is more to the story than people know but I can’t really say everything. I didn’t just “run away,” there is just much more to the story than people know. It’s because of a lot of things, I mean, they don’t really have to know. What happened in the past is over.

I can't with all the beating around the bush, it's like that other time JYP went all "I don't want to talk about it but since you asked I'll tell you how much I don't want to talk about it". After reading this it's clear that he thinks no one needs to know and he'll never tell what actually happened. He should just say "no comment" or that he doesn't want to talk about it then, unless he wants this to keep being asked forever.

I don't really like the vibe of this interview, he's acting like it's nobody's business while what happened affected so many people ("but obviously people like talking about it", huhh). I agree about private things being kept private but this was handled like shit from the start and keeps being handled like shit. The only way to put a lid on it is clearing it up. There isn't an obvious right or wrong in this and it's not even a matter of me being curious or wanting closure anymore, by now it's all just annoying.

umad.gif, etc. Looking forward to his releases regardless of all the tired bull.

[inudela.livejournal.com]

you basically phrased everything i was thinking

[elemental-stars.livejournal.com]

IMO I think he should be more aware of the current news. Even though he's a very busy person, he should know about these things. It would help improve his image of being able to look deeper into current situations right?

[count-on-me-jay.livejournal.com]

He's aware. If you reread you will see that the question was if he wanted to say something to his fans in general to end the interview,and no about the tragic situation on Japan. So, he mentioning the earthquake even when the interviewer didnt mention only shows (at least for me) that the people on Japan and his Japaneese fans are first in his mind in this moment.

[melany2110.livejournal.com]

1. We still don't know anything
2. Jay doesn't give a fuck, why does everyone still bring up this subject? seriously jay is jay and 2pm is 2pm for me now, it's been a long time already..
3. I don't like jay's attitude in this interview, but he's still an amazing dancer

[2cutelena.livejournal.com]

Title is misleading. Nothing new on the whole scandal business. He wasn't pushed out but he didn't exactly leave on his on. There is more to the story that for whatever reasons both sides are unwilling to share at this time. And damn things were not as they seemed at the time. What I got from the tone of this is that things are still cold between Jay and JYPE. So no unicorn reunions in the near future imho. I wish him all the success he can gain and really hope to see him on a music and variety shows soon.

Q: I heard that JYP helped you when you were in Seattle?
A: I guess he just told me to keep on trucking. But that was way back then, a long time ago, like a year-and-a-half ago. Then he stopped calling me.

This cracked me up cause of the different rumors that were circulating at the time are so different from what was actually going down.

[kazu-kumaguro.livejournal.com]

completely different form what JYP said you mean.
I loled when I read it though. I know I'm horrible.

[dislike.livejournal.com]

2pm used the scandal to get attention. jay's gonna use the scandal to get attention. get over it.

[fuuism.livejournal.com]

That's a fair point and certainly they're all entitled to do so, but when JYPE/2PM rode the wave of the scandal almost everyone was sympathetic towards the situation and the group (even if they hated the company) because they thought the boys loved each other as brothers, Jay would be back and everything would work out eventually. After shit hit the fan with the conference there was an immediate embargo on any questions regarding Jay in 2PM interviews because they knew it wouldn't look good for them.

It's such a different situation now that I think Jay will be doing a disservice to himself in the long run if he and his management at Sidus keep using the issue like this. He says he doesn't want to talk about it but still does, all the while being unclear about it. It doesn't look good when you act like it's all in the past but still elaborates long answers about it. Not to mention way less people even care about it now so it's hardly a decent publicity tactic to use a "you know what, fuck that, it's my bsns and no one needs to know anyway" tone instead of showing more empathy to those who even want to read about it.

*mini rant* TT TT

[sweetorange-1.livejournal.com]

Ever since he left there has pretty much been two sides to this whole thing really...1) Jay did something 2) JYP is a douche (simplifying obv :P )

I really just want to see what happens when they meet at broadcasts etc. I think if that happens it will show a lot more than either party are ever going to say.

I just want the interviews like this to stop, obviously Jay is NEVER going to say look this is what I did, now go away, nor is he going to say JYP made up some shit to get rid of me, cause either one would bury his ass all over again.
I just wish he would stop talking about it(i.e stop taking interviews where they ask the same damn 6 questions) and just sing and dance and have abs

*phew*

[kazu-kumaguro.livejournal.com]

I know that everyone here busy debating his interview but what is that hair.

[thexrhythm.livejournal.com]

omg. ahaha thanks for pointing that out. lol.

[aishiteruyuto23.livejournal.com]

we`ve heard Jay`s side of the story although none that gives us any hard information...
how about 2PM now? ;;D

and. is it just me, but hating Jay during the conference wasn`t exactly how i remembered it...didn`t 2PM say they hated Jay for what he did...so they hated what he did.
not him exactly.

i`m sorry, i`m always gonna side with the boys and not them coldest.

[asth77.livejournal.com]

Nope, Junho said "i hated Jay". I clearly remember those words because he was my bias.

[untrueo.livejournal.com]

TBH, I am sick of reading about this. If you are not going to give more details stop talking about it. The past is the past. Give me some music, Jay. My iPod is empty.

[star-riku.livejournal.com]

This interview was very "Idgaf, and neither should you."

And I agree, he's tired of people asking him about matters he considers personal. Let's all collectively move on now.

[count-on-me-jay.livejournal.com]

THIS!!!

[qrizta.livejournal.com]

lol he sounded so nonchalant but he's just a terrible speaker to begin with so i didn't expect anything when i clicked this post. but after reading, i got an impression that the problem lies between him and jyp plus he didn't seem to know about what went down in the conference.

wtvr, i'm essited for his album.

[ari-meh.livejournal.com]

he's such a terrible speaker that he kind of comes off as rude/ignorant
that said, i'm happy he's doing his own thing for his fans and i found it humbling that he worked on a tire shop instead of munching off his parents/fans.

[ari-meh.livejournal.com]

also, the part about japan's earthquake kind of pissed me off.
i know he doesn't give a rat's ass but it was still insensitive.