What Terrifies K-Pop Giant J.Y. Park, Even After Surviving Three Decades In The Business?
In the latest episode of Salon Drip, led by comedian Jang Do Yeon, JYP Entertainment founder J.Y. Park (Park Jin Young) surprised the viewers with some of his most personal stories from his time in the K-Pop business.
While discussing how fulfilled and grateful he feels to be able to do what he loves for work, the K-Pop giant revealed his biggest fear. Describing it as a “collapse,” J.Y. Park said he had seen one too many colleagues in the entertainment world fall to their demise overnight.
Jang Do Yeon: People do wonder why you work so hard, to the point of having no spare time, even after getting super wealthy.
J.Y. Park: Well, there are two reasons. One is because it’s really fun! Having that lifestyle? When I go to work, my company building has ten floors. Like, I love my company so much. You’ve been there before!
Jang Do Yeon: That’s an interesting brag…
J.Y. Park: Whenever I walk into the building, I ask myself, “How do I even have this life?” I love my job, I walk into the building I’ve been dreaming of having, and I get to work there. That’s the positive side. But the negative side is that I am scared that everything will vanish one day. All at once.
As J.Y. Park explained that this fear is what keeps him grounded and humble, Jang Do Yeon agreed and commented that her sunbae and veteran comedian Lee Kyung Kyu also taught her the same.
J.Y. Park: From being in this business for 30 years, I’ve seen too many people and companies that just collapsed in the blink of an eye. No matter how successful they were. Just done, like that. That’s why I always tell myself, “Don’t be foolish.” Don’t get all cheeky. I could lose everything! That’s why I try to stay humble and kind.
Jang Do Yeon: Lee Kyung Kyu always tells me that. He goes, “Don’t act like you know it all. You’re nothing! You could lose everything in a split second. I’ve seen countless people who have lost it all!” He reminds me all the time.
J.Y. Park: Exactly.
Jang Do Yeon: I guess we learn the same lessons no matter the field.
That said, given the tumultuous series of events taking place in the K-Pop business in 2024, viewers left comments of praise acknowledging what a solid leader J.Y. Park is (and calling out HYBE‘s chairman in the process).
- “J.Y. Park lets artists keep their names even after leaving JYPE. He lets them out of the contract without termination fees. He talks about them and roots for them, keeping in touch and remaining on good terms with them. That alone should tell us what a big heart he has.”
- “J.Y. Park knows how to take care of himself…”
- “J.Y. Park is not the most perfect CEO and JYPE is not the greatest business. But I love the natural, authentic charm that JYPE idols have. It makes me root for his artists all the time.”
- “J.Y. Park has been a strong-headed man, and now he’s a huge figure in the business. Yet, with age, he becomes less authoritarian and more open to silliness. Mad respect for how he tries to adapt.”
- “With all the negative things going on in this world… I started liking JYPE artists a lot more. It’s so good to see them work together.”
- “After seeing the work of a certain Mr. Bang… I can tell that J.Y. Park is a solid CEO. He’s not afraid to show his feelings, which might have led to the countless memes. But it’s so cool how he’s all about supporting his hoobae idols.”
- “Bang Si Hyuk could learn a bit of J.Y. Park’s modesty.”
- “JYPE artists never fail to put a smile on my face. Now I know it’s J.Y. Park’s hard work that makes it possible. Such a healthy company. This was such a fun episode.”
In the same episode, however, J.Y. Park did mention DAY6 which has caused some significant backlash from the band’s fans.
Read more about it here.
