Park-ing allowed anytime

The name Jay Park, a.k.a. Park Jaebeom, is very familiar to Pinoy K-Pop fans just like those of recent visitor Rain and Koreanovela stars. But still, with Jay set for a concert called Fan Meet Tour 2010 on Sunday, Oct. 3, at the SMX Convention Center (beside SM Mall of Asia), a re-introduction won’t hurt.

Park was born on April 25, 1987, to Korean parents in Seattle, Washington State, where he was also raised. He lists his occupations as “B-boy, dancer, singer, rapper and actor.”

He first appeared through MNET’s Hot Blood, a program that showed the intense physical training that 13 male trainees had to go through for the chance to join either a four-member ballad group called 2AM or seven-member dance group called 2PM under JYP Entertainment. Park won and was trained in Korea, eventually becoming the leader of 2PM which debuted with the song 10 Points Out of 10 Points in 2008. The group shot to fame with its album Again & Again which won it an award in 2009.

Something happened that made Park quit 2PM. He went back to the States and resurfaced on jayparkaom, his own YouTube channel. He has signed up with Warner Music Group which released Park’s first single, Nothin’ On You in various versions.  

Funfare did an exclusive 20-minute phone interview with Park last Sunday. He was in Singapore as part of his Fan Meet Tour 2010, having just made a successful homecoming concert in Seoul.

How has the tour been so far?

“You know, we’ve been to only two cities, Seoul and Singapore, and it feels great. There’s been a lot of energy and we’ve been doing a good show.”

How do you keep up with a hectic schedule like this?

“Oh yeah, yeah. Very hectic, going back and forth. You know, I’m trying to do my best. I’m getting a little used to it.”

Weather varies in every Asian country. Doesn’t it affect your voice?

 “I don’t think the weather affects my voice. But lack of sleep does... a bit, and jetlag. It makes my voice kind of a little hoarse.”

How do you take care of your voice?

“I just get as much sleep as I can. I try not to strain it before a show. I don’t refrain from talking, it’s not like that. I rest my voice by not singing a day before the show.”

Some singers don’t take a full meal before a show. Do you do that?

“No, I don’t do that. I dance a lot so I need to eat to have energy.”

Why did your band 2PM break up?

“You know, there was some miscommunication. So we had to part ways. I mean, there’s nothing to love from my side. That’s all I can say about it.”

You are coming to the Philippines with a new dance group called AOM.

“Yes, AOM means Art Of Movement. They’ve been my crew since I was in high school. The members are my friends.”

Some of the members are Filipino, right?

“Yes, one is Daniel Jerone. I met him in Seattle. He’s been my friend from way back. There’s also Andrew Baterina, my choreographer.”

What have you heard about the Philippines from these two guys?

“Oh, one of them was in the Philippines when he was very young and the other has never been there. They’re really excited to go. But I know that the Philippines has very good dried mango. Also, that the food is very good, like lumpia. I had two Filipino friends back in high school and I’ve tried eating Filipino food at their homes.”

You were born and raised in Seattle. Is that where you started your singing career?

“No. I started my singing career in Korea. But I started rapping and dancing in Seattle for fun. The actual training began when I got to Korea.”

Of course, you know that K-Pop is very popular in the Philippines as it is in other Asian countries. To what do you attribute its popularity?

“I think it’s the catchy songs, the upbeat tempo, the style of dancing — the way they are packaged.”

Your fans love you for your well-maintained body, aside from your unique style. What sort of diet do you follow? What workout do you do?

“You know, I’m naturally very skinny. I do a lot of weight training. I don’t really watch what I eat but I try not to eat after 8 p.m. I dance a lot and it’s a very good exercise.”

You sing, you dance, you rap. How do you find time for all that?

“It’s kind of hard to maintain a balance. I just do one thing at a time. If you do things that way, you can’t help but get better at everything.”

In Korea more than in any other country, competition is very stiff. Do you feel too much pressure because of that?

“No, I don’t really feel like I’m competing with anyone. I’m just kind of going where life takes me — I’m just having fun!”

Tell us a bit about your family.

“I grew up in Seattle. I have one brother, younger than me. I have a dog named Peatry. My parents are Korean. I can’t speak Korean very well but I can understand it. I love Korean food. Although I didn’t know Korean culture, I know what it’s like.”

How would you like to do a Korean soap which is very popular in the Philippines?

“I would love to.”

Just two weeks ago, Rain was in the Philippines for a shoot and a show. Have you met him?

“Yes, I have.”

Did he give you some tips?

“You know, I haven’t really talked much with him. But he’s a great guy. He’s very talented and he works very hard.” (Trivia: Unlike Jay, Rain was “unreachable,” “inaccessible.” Before he came, those behind his concert requested The STAR to do an e-mail interview with Rain. Guess what Rain’s manager required — the writer’s credentials and, hold your breath, biography… yes, biography! Never mind. Somebody told Funfare that Christian Bautista, who guested on Rain‘s concert, was never able to talk, not even say “Hi!” to Rain; neither was Christian introduced to Rain nor were they photographed together. “Bawal daw lapitan si Rain ng kahit sino ng walang paalam o pahintulot ng manager,” said the Funfare source. Commented a Rain fan who has ceased to be, “Hindi na siya ‘rain.’ Ambon na lang siya ngayon!”)

Tell us about your new album.

“Oh, it’s not really a full album. I just came out with a remake of Nothin’ On You, it’s called Count On Me. Coming out is Beastie, a song that I myself wrote. It’s like hip-hop and it has rap. It’s a fun song. Another one is titled Demon.”

Give us an idea about your concert on Oct. 3.

“It’s my first time in the Philippines and my first time to meet my Filipino fans, so I’m very excited about that. It’s gonna be a fun show. I’m going to sing all my songs. I have some guests with me. AOM and I will do a special number. We’ll have games with the fans.”

(Note: The Philippine STAR is among the sponsors of Fan Meet Tour 2010. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or SM outlets at 470-2222. For VIP tickets, call 374-9999.)

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