From his beginnings as a K-pop idol to becoming the first Asian American to sign with Jay Z’s Roc Nation, Jay Park has never stayed in one lane. He has built record labels from the ground up, advised rising talent, launched his premium soju brand, and stayed true to his roots through it all. Germaine Lau tells you some fun facts about the entertainer

He once worked at a used tyre shop

Park’s journey has never been linear. After leaving Korea and returning to Seattle, he took a job at a used tire shop to make ends meet. But he never stopped creating. He uploaded a cover of “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B and Bruno Mars to YouTube—a raw, heartfelt performance that went viral with over two million views. That single upload reignited his music career, proving hustle and authenticity can still open doors.

He was the first Asian American to sign with Jay Z’s label, Roc Nation

In 2017, Park signed with Roc Nation. Not only did it serve as a reminder of his talent and growing influence within the hip-hop industry, but signified a return to the US Market, after being a member of the K-pop group 2PM.

He has started multiple record labels

Jay Park isn’t just a performer—he’s a visionary reshaping the music industry. With a mission to move away from rigid, top-down systems, he champions collaboration over control. In 2013, he launched Above Ordinary Music Group (AOMG), now one of Asia’s most influential hip-hop labels. He later founded H1gher Music in 2017 and more recently, More Vision. Each of these companies are rooted in a belief that music should be about joy, freedom, and collective creativity.

He is an advisor to many young artists

Having navigated the highs and lows of the industry himself, Park now takes pride in guiding younger artists. Rather than positioning himself as a teacher, he prefers to share his personal experiences and insights, offering grounded support to help others find their own path.

He has launched his own soju brand

Park’s influence doesn’t stop at music. In 2022, he launched Won Soju—a premium craft soju that quickly became a top seller in Korea. The brand was born out of a desire to give Asian culture more visibility, especially after his song “Soju” sparked curiosity about the spirit and introduced many new drinkers to it. It’s even present in his Instagram handle @moresojuplease! With Won Soju, Jay isn’t just promoting a drink—he’s giving it a face, a voice, and cultural weight.

Also see: 5 things to know about KPop Demon Hunter’s Ahn Hyo-seop