Jay Park

Jay Park, born Park Jae-beom on April 25, 1987, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and dancer based in South Korea. He is a member of the Seattle-based b-boy crew Art of Movement and the founder of the record labels AOMG, H1ghr Music, and More Vision. Recognized for his contributions to the South Korean music scene, Park has been highlighted as a prominent figure in the commercial acceptance and mainstream popularization of Korean hip hop and R&B.

Park was raised in Edmonds, Washington, where he developed a strong interest in breakdancing and hip hop music during his youth. While attending Edmonds-Woodway High School, he routinely practiced dance and began writing his own raps. In 2003, he joined the b-boy crew Art of Movement. At his mother's suggestion, Park auditioned for South Korean entertainment company JYP Entertainment in 2004, leading to his selection for an idol group. He relocated to South Korea in January 2005 to undergo formal training in performance and language, later completing his university education at Dankook University.

In 2008, Park appeared on the reality program Hot Blood Men, earning the top spot in fan votes and becoming the leader of the group 2PM. The group officially debuted in September 2008 with the mini-album Hottest Time of the Day and the song "10 Out of 10." Alongside group activities, Park featured on television soundtracks and collaborated on tracks with artists including Yeeun, V.O.S, Navi, and K.Will. He also became a regular cast member and host on television variety programs such as Star King, Introducing a Star's Friend, and Nodaji.

Park departed 2PM in September 2009 following media coverage surrounding past comments posted on his personal MySpace account, after which he returned to Seattle. In March 2010, he launched a personal YouTube channel and uploaded a cover of B.o.B's "Nothin' on You," which quickly received millions of views. The viral success of the video contributed to significant digital sales, leading to an official regional release featuring his vocals alongside B.o.B.

Park returned to South Korea in June 2010 to film the movie Hype Nation and signed a management contract with SidusHQ in July. That same month, he released his debut solo EP, Count on Me, which achieved strong physical sales and topped local charts. During this period, he established ongoing creative partnerships with producer Cha Cha Malone and hip hop artists from Illionaire Records, integrating himself into South Korea's underground and mainstream music communities.

Between late 2010 and early 2011, Park participated in major concert events, film roles, and international award platforms, winning the Best Web Video category at the Mashable Awards. In April 2011, he released his first Korean mini-album, Take a Deeper Look, driven by the lead single "Abandoned." The mini-album reached number three on the Billboard World Album Charts and marked his official return as a solo performer on South Korean television music broadcasts.