Biography
Who is Jay Park?
Early life and background
Jay Park was born in Edmonds, Washington, in the Seattle metropolitan area, and showed an early interest in hip hop music and breakdancing. During his school years at Edmonds Woodway High School, he spent his break times practicing dance routines with friends and started listening to rap music in his early teens. In 2003, Jay became a member of the Seattle-based b-boy crew Art of Movement. He often skipped classes for dance competitions, leading to clashes with his mother regarding his lack of interest in academics.
In 2004, his mother suggested he try out for a talent audition organized by JYP Entertainment. Jay auditioned believing the winner would receive a monetary prize. He was selected to be part of a Korean boy band as an idol and moved to South Korea in January 2005 to receive training in dancing, rapping, singing, and the language under JYP Entertainment. He later completed his university education at Dankook University.
Career with 2PM and controversy
Jay first appeared on Mnet's Hot Blood Men, a reality program showing future members of One Day training. Finishing with the most fan votes, he became the leader of 2PM. The group debuted on September 4, 2008, with the song 10 Out of 10 on the music program M Countdown after releasing their first mini album, Hottest Time of the Day. Aside from group music activities, he created the song Jeong with Yeeun of the Wonder Girls for the television drama Conspiracy in the Court.
In September 2009, comments about Korea from his personal Myspace account in 2005 were found and translated by Korean media. Jay issued an apology and announced he would leave the group to return to Seattle. Although JYP initially stated he would stay, the departure happened shortly after, and 2PM continued as a six-member group. The situation caused significant public discussion, fan protests, and changes to group promotions before perspectives shifted as fans realized the comments were taken out of context.
YouTube success and solo career
After returning to the United States, Jay created his YouTube channel on March 15, with his first upload being a cover of Nothin' on You. The video went viral and reached over two million views in less than 24 hours. The original song by B.o.B and Bruno Mars topped the Cyworld music chart in Korea shortly after the video release. B.o.B later released Nothin' on You featuring Jay in South Korea, where Jay replaced Bruno Mars' vocals.
Jay returned to South Korea in June 2010 for the filming of Hype Nation and signed a contract with SidusHQ in July. Rebranding as a solo singer and rapper, he participated in the underground hip hop culture scene in South Korea. Over his career, he founded independent hip hop record labels such as AOMG and H1ghr Music, as well as the record label More Vision, establishing himself as an influential figure in the Korean hip hop and R&B scene.
Birthday and age
Jay Park was born on April 25, 1987, which makes Jay 39 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Jay shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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