Jay Park recently spoke about the period when he left the K-pop group 2PM, reflecting on his emotions and the events that followed. On March 5, he appeared on the YouTube channel “Eyes Mag” in a segment that explored the psychology behind lyrics. During the interview, he introduced his personal life song, “U Got It Bad” by Usher, and shared stories about his experiences as a singer and the challenges he faced throughout his career.

While discussing the song, the host brought up the time Jay Park covered Usher’s music at a fan meeting in 2010 and again in 2012. The host also mentioned that during that period Jay Park had already experienced a dramatic shift in his career: he had been active as an idol with 2PM, then suddenly returned to the United States before eventually resuming his activities in the entertainment industry. Because of those circumstances, the host suggested that he must have felt anxious about his future.

However, Jay Park explained that anxiety was not the emotion he experienced at that time. Instead, he said that he mostly felt sorry and apologetic toward the many people who were affected by the situation. He acknowledged that the controversy surrounding him had caused inconvenience and harm to various individuals, and that realization weighed on him more than fear about his career. Despite everything that happened, he said he did not spend much time worrying about what would come next. According to him, he tends to go with the flow of life and focus on doing his best in whatever situation he is given.

Jay Park also reflected on the cover video he recorded in Seattle after leaving 2PM, explaining that the video ultimately played a key role in helping him return to the music industry. At the time, YouTube was rapidly growing in popularity, and many Asian American musicians were uploading cover songs as a way to share their musical interests and talents. Inspired by this trend, Jay Park decided to record his own cover to express his personal taste in music.

The recording itself was simple and unpolished. Jay Park revealed that he filmed the video in a bathroom using a MacBook that had been given to him as a gift. Despite its modest production, the video quickly gained massive attention online. Within just one day, it accumulated around three million views, which was an extraordinary number at the time. The viral success of the cover brought renewed interest in Jay Park and eventually led to multiple offers that allowed him to resume his career in music and entertainment.

During the interview, Jay Park also spoke about his mindset when facing criticism. He explained that he is not someone who becomes overly fearful when confronted with negative comments or public scrutiny. Instead, he prefers to live freely and pursue the things he genuinely wants to do. At the same time, he emphasized that living freely does not mean behaving irresponsibly or disrespectfully toward others. He stated that he does not intentionally act rudely or try to harm anyone.

Another point he addressed was his attitude toward societal expectations, particularly the stereotypes about how singers or public figures are supposed to behave. Jay Park said that he does not feel obligated to follow other people’s preconceptions or rigid standards about what a singer should be like. In his view, other people’s opinions about how he should present himself are not as important as staying true to who he is.

He also discussed how many people today focus heavily on external appearances and on shaping themselves to meet the expectations of others. Jay Park believes that what matters far more is the condition of one’s inner self. He openly admitted that he is not perfect and that he has many flaws and makes mistakes like anyone else. However, he believes that maintaining inner balance and self-awareness is essential. According to him, even if many people express admiration or approval, it ultimately means little if a person’s inner life is not in order.

Jay Park further explained that taking care of one’s inner self can help prevent future problems. In his opinion, neglecting one’s emotional and mental well-being can lead to serious issues, including mental and emotional illnesses. He warned that people who live only to satisfy others’ expectations may eventually become overwhelmed and unwell.

The discussion also revisited the controversy that led to his departure from 2PM in 2009. At that time, Jay Park faced intense criticism after posts from an American social networking site resurfaced. The posts were interpreted as disparaging toward Korea, which sparked widespread backlash. As the situation escalated, he eventually announced that he would leave the group and returned to the United States.

The following year, in 2010, Jay Park officially ended his relationship with JYP Entertainment. Although that period was one of the most difficult moments of his career, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter. Through online platforms, renewed opportunities, and his determination to continue making music, he was eventually able to rebuild his career and reestablish himself in the industry.