J.Y. Park Plans Latinx K-Pop Group After "A2K"

In 2022, J.Y. Park (also known as Park Jin Young, The Asiansoul, or JYP) talked to CNN during his Brazil trip.

During the interview, he talked about the globalization of K-Pop through localization. J.Y. Park explained that when he first began producing and creating groups, they were all Korean, but groups such as Wonder Girls reached international audiences. When he saw the possibility, he began mixing other nationalities into K-Pop groups—for example, 2PM’s Nichkhun, GOT7’s BamBam, Jackson Wang, and Mark Tuan.

That was the second step, and the third step was non-Korean artists.

— J.Y. Park

| CNN Pop/YouTube

After finding success in building multicultural K-Pop groups like GOT7, J.Y. Park’s next step was forming completely non-Korean groups trained in the K-Pop system. Last year, JYP Entertainment teamed up with Republic Records for K-Pop survival show A2K (also known as America to Korea). North America-based contestants auditioned to compete in a Korea-based trainee boot camp.

| CNN Pop/YouTube

The show concluded by revealing the final lineup: Lexus Vang, KG Crown, Camila Ribeaux Valdes, Savanna Collins, Kaylee Lee, and Kendall Ebeling. They formed the new girl group VCHA, which recently made their official debut with “Girls of the Year.” They are also the opening act for TWICE’s 5th World Tour Ready To Be.

So much star quality even in the States. It’s just American girls.

— J.Y. Park

J.Y. Park’s interview has resurfaced with the group becoming successful since he talked about A2K before it aired and mentioned his plans.

J.Y. Park explained that his next goal after an American-based group would be a group of Latinx individuals from South America. He shared that that was actually one of the main reasons behind his Brazil trip at the time.

And my next goal is the Latin territory like South America. That’s my next project in my mind. That’s why I really wanted to come here and feel you guys to see the energy and especially tomorrow I’m meeting the Brazilian fans.

— J.Y. Park

| CNN Pop/YouTube

At the time, J.Y. Park expressed his concerns about the group, knowing that not every country in the region speaks the same language. Yet, the interviewer reassured him that it would be great because they share more similarities than differences.

Brazilians speak Portuguese, and other South American countries speak Spanish, right? How compatible are they? If they form a group, will they be able to communicate with each other?

— J.Y. Park

| CNN Pop/YouTube

When the clip resurfaced nearly two years later, netizens expressed their excitement about the possibility of an L2K. They also hope that not only South America but the Caribbean will be included.