•
Jay Park Reflects on 2009 Departure from 2PM
19 hours ago•Ryan Jung
20
0
Singer and CEO Jay Park has addressed his 2009 departure from 2PM for the first time in over 16 years. During a YouTube video titled "The Songs That Changed Jay Park's Life" released on the "Eyesmag" channel on March 5, Park reflected on his exit, stating he felt no personal anxiety regarding his career but felt deep regret for those affected [1].
Key Developments
- Park explained that his lack of anxiety stemmed from his personality: "I live life as it flows. I tend to accept the given situation and do my best, so I wasn't anxious" [3].
- He expressed remorse toward his former group mates and fans, noting, "I just had nothing but apologetic and sorry feelings. Anyway, I caused discourtesy and harm to many people" [2].
- Park emphasized his independence from industry norms, asserting that he does not follow the traditional framework expected of celebrities and is not afraid of public criticism [4].
- He stated that external prejudices and rules are secondary to his own standards [4].
Background
Jay Park debuted in 2008 as the leader of 2PM under JYP Entertainment. The group achieved massive popularity with their debut track "10 Out of 10" [2]. However, in September 2009, Park withdrew and moved to Seattle following a controversy over mistranslated MySpace posts from his trainee days [2].
In February 2010, JYP Entertainment announced Park’s permanent withdrawal, citing matters regarding his private life [1]. At the time, founder Park Jin-young remarked on the show "Win Win" that the issue was too significant to cover up without deceiving the public [1].
Reactions
During the controversy, Park's then-agency, SidusHQ, challenged JYP Entertainment's claims. SidusHQ requested that the "serious private life" matter be disclosed to address severe rumors, though JYP Entertainment did not provide a specific response [1].
Park has since avoided the traditional industry framework, focusing on personal growth and professional output. He remains indifferent to being "hated on," preferring to live by his own values rather than societal expectations [4].
Looking Ahead
Since leaving 2PM, Park has successfully transitioned into a solo artist, producer, and entertainment CEO [5]. His recent reflections provide insight into his mental state during one of K-pop's most significant controversies, framing his departure as a situation he accepted while focusing on his work [3][5].