Rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, producer, mentor and soju magnate – the Korean-American superstar is a man of many talents and passions. But more than anything, #legend discovers, he’s unapologetically himself

The shortest distance between Seattle and Seoul is roughly 8,300 kilometres, but for a young Jay Park it might as well have been a million. As a Korean-American kid living in the Pacific Northwest, Park was more interested in breakdancing and hip-hop than conforming to cultural expectations.

“Growing up in the States in the ’90s, there weren’t really any Asian role models in mainstream media, unless it was like Jackie Chan or, later on, Kung Fu Panda,” he says. “Korea wasn’t really known back then either. So being Asian in that environment, you either had to be the quiet straight-A kid chasing that doctor or lawyer dream… or you were just seen as different. I didn’t really fit that mould, so I found my own lane through hip-hop and dance. That became my way of expressing myself and finding my people.”

Hip-hop and dance not only helped Park find his people, but also eventually led people around the world to find – and fall in love with – Park. Now 38, the multihyphenate entertainer is one of the most influential artists in hip-hop and popular music. The first-ever Asian artist to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation is also the founder of South Korean hip-hop and R&B label AOMG, co-founder of international hip-hop and R&B label H1ghr Music, and creator of talent agency More Vision and craft soju brand Won Soju. Over the years, he’s appeared as a mentor in various competitive music programmes – including being the first non-Chinese guest judge on The Rap of China. Oh, and he recently embarked on his first world tour in six years.

Park’s career is built on hard work and a fearless willingness to take risks. But above all, it’s a testament to what’s possible when you truly love what you do. “Growing up in Seattle, hip-hop was everywhere – on the radio, on TV, just part of the culture. But I really got into it when my older cousin played me a Warren G cassette, ‘Regulate’,” Park recalls. “That was the moment. I got hooked. I started rapping along, memorising lyrics and eventually writing my own rhymes. I wasn’t even trying to be a rapper back then, I just loved it. It gave me confidence, an identity, made me feel cool. That love just stuck with me and brought me here.”

Depending on the night, “here” could be Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland or any of the dozens of stops on the 2025 Jay Park World Tour [Serenades & Body Rolls] that kicked off in May and will hit the US and Europe next year. For his Hong Kong stop last month, his second- ever visit to the city, Park managed to squeeze in a dinner at Hutong before lighting up AsiaWorld-Expo and an after party at Fayy. “A lot of rehearsals, a lot of flights, a lot of sweat,” he says when asked how he prepared for the tour. “It’s definitely tiring, but the energy I get from being on stage makes it all worth it. Seeing fans who’ve been with me for so long, it’s humbling and super motivating. And I’m grateful for all the local artists and industry people showing love too.”

Park, it would seem, is a born performer. Besides writing his own raps, he spent much of his teenage years breakdancing with friends like Junior and Tony Orduna, becoming one of the first members of the Seattle-based b-boy crew Art of Movement. Even his mother, who apparently didn’t approve of the lack of attention to his studies, suggested he audition for a Korean talent agency when they came to Seattle in 2004. Before long, Park had booked his ticket to Korea as a trainee and eventual star of a documentary-style show in which he and 10 other trainees prepared for their debut as an idol group.

“Moving to Korea was a whole different challenge. I didn’t grow up speaking the language fluently or fully understanding the culture. So even though I’m Korean, I felt like a foreigner,” he recalls. “It was my first time being away from my family too. Everything felt unfamiliar. But looking back, I’m thankful for that experience. It forced me to grow. It was one of the toughest chapters in my life, but it also built me into who I am today.”

In the years since, he’s written and released a score of chart- topping singles; appeared in countless videos, TV shows and movies; performed everywhere from San Francisco to Singapore; and picked up every possible award along the way.

On the music front, Park’s recent hits include “MOMMAE”, “McNasty”, “Yesterday” and “Remedy”, the latter for which he just dropped an official music video for his 3.5 million YouTube subscribers and a performance video for his 3.3 million Instagram followers. Then there’s the sultry “Mayday” from his 2024 album The One You Wanted. “I made it with Cha Cha and had Ty Dolla $ign jump on it,” Park says. “I think it’s a solid East- meets-West collab, R&B at its finest. Even with different languages, the vibe just clicks. And I feel like even though we’re speaking in different languages, it sounds sonically very right.”

Throughout it all, Park has stayed true to his hip-hop roots while drawing inspiration from a wide variety of artists like his #legend Michael Jackson – “He changed the game, not just with music but performance, visuals, everything. He’s the blueprint.” – as well as his fans around the world. “I’ve already dropped Chinese tracks like ‘WYA’ and ‘想到你 (Xiang Dao Ni)’, and I’ve got a Japanese single coming out real soon. I’d love to try something in Thai or Spanish too,” he says. “Music’s art at the end of the day, and I don’t like limiting myself. I just do what feels right in the moment and keep evolving. That’s what keeps it fun.”

And while he seems to always tap into what’s new and what’s hot, Park says he’s simply being himself: “I try to make timeless music. I keep an eye on trends, but I’m not chasing them. I want my songs to still sound good 10, 20 years from now. Lyrically, I talk a lot about love, real-life experiences and being human. And my personal motto is just, don’t lose yourself. This industry can do that to you if you’re not careful.”

After more than 20 years in the industry, it’s a lesson that Park is paying forward as he gets ready to debut a new boy group and girl group under More Vision. “I’ve really been enjoying the role of mentor and producer, just helping guide the next generation of artists,” he says. “The kids are talented, and things are slowly coming together. I try to lead with guidance, not restriction. Rather than just telling them what not to do, I want them to understand the ‘why’ behind things, how to carry themselves, how to think long-term, how to handle tough situations. It’s about helping them grow as artists and as people. I’ve been through a lot, so if I can pass on anything to make their journey smoother, I’m all for it.”

Between his world tour, a steady stream of new music, ever-expanding business ventures (“We’re revamping Won Sonju too – stay tuned for an upgraded product!”) and constant TV and promotional commitments, it’s hard to imagine Park having any downtime. But even with his packed schedule, he’s never strayed far from the values that shaped him. “Not gonna lie, I don’t get much of it these days. But when I do, I’m either chilling at home with my dogs, going for a run by the river, working out or just catching up with friends over drinks,” he says. Then comes the reminder that beneath all the fame and success, he’s still the same kid who wrote raps in his bedroom and skipped school to go to b-boy competitions. “If my schedule allows, I love going back to Seattle to see family. That always grounds me.”

CREDITS
Creative Concept / #legend
Creative Direction / Gordon Lam
Photography / Olivia Tsang
Styling / Recyde and Anson Lau
Hair & Make-Up / Blacklip
Gaffer / Michael Tang
Lighting Assistant / Tommy Ng
Photography Assistant / Michael Tang
Styling Assistant / Eva Chan
Location / Regent Hong Kong featuring Terrace Suite

Also see: Inside Cover: Chung Suet Ying on inclusivity and her fast rise to leading lady status