Producer Jin Young Park: The Creator of Korean Superstar Bi
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The Korean pop singer Bi (Rain) recently set fans on fire at a concert at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City. He stunning performance in "Rainy Day New York" caught the attention of critics in Korea and the United States.
The one thing they agreed on was Bi's tremendous potential on the world stage. This following interview is about his producer Jin-Young Park, a Korean musician who made Bi (Jeong Ji-Hoon) into an international superstar.
Q: What is your response to the varying comments on Bi's concert?
A: The concert in New York was only the prelude of what we are planning now. This was done to build our new partnerships with the American companies in the United States; it is not the real debut of Bi. Therefore, it's too early to evaluate Bi's works in the United States. Our primary goal for now is the success of Bi's debut single which is coming in this October. With all the commercials, movies and co-productions with famous American singers, I believe it's not an impossible job to do. Selling 500,000 albums would be our first mission, and I am positive about this.
Q: The New York Times said that Bi lacks in creativity. What is your feeling about that comment?
A: Honestly, I never worried about neither our production or Bi's performance. However, I admit that the Asian entertainment trends different than those in the United States, and that might have affected critics' opinions on Bi's performance. But, the important part is that Bi is now getting the full spotlight in the actual entertainment market.
Q: Can you explain the specific details of the market's responses?
A: First of all, the guest members of America's top recording companies like Island Def Jam and other famous musicians have shown great interest in Bi on the day of the concert. So far, we've got offers from other producing companies to make partnerships for Asian album productions, and some even asked for Bi's performance in dancing movies.
Q: It seems like Bi has already gained his fame in many Asian countries. Is it really necessary to target the US market?
A: It may sound strange but we are targeting the US market to achieve further successes in the Asian market. Soon or later, China and Japan or even other Asian countries will have pop stars like Bi of their own nationalities. Even though their abilities and performances are not that great as Bi's the fans of each nations will support their national pop stars. As already happened in Korea, "New Kids On The Block" had great hit on Korean fans in 1990s, but after Korean boy bends like HOT came out, Korean fans turned their back on foreign pop singers. That is why we have to stretch our projects further to the United States, the premiere stage of the world.
Park, as a producer, not only produced Bi's works but also did production for American top singers like Will Smith and Mass. It's been 2 years since Park started his productions in the United States. Working in a small rented apartment in LA, he regularly visited over 20 record companies with his demo CD. For about 11 months, he had visited those record companies without any progress, and finally after all that trials, he got the call from "OverBrook Entertainment". That was the beginning of Park's production in the United States.
Q: How much does Park's success have to do with your skill?
A: [laughter] Maybe it's because I annoyed them so much. I just did my works in Korean way. I knew that it was impossible for me to meet the directors and other producers, so I left my demo CDs at the information desks and visited every record company everyday. After doing that for 10 months, I was becoming famous around those companies, and that probably interested some directors of the studios.
Q: I heard that you had so called Anti-Fan club for your shocking actions and speeches. Do you have anything to say about that?
A: I don't expect everyone to love me as a fan. As an entertainer before being a producer, I just want to be what I am, nothing more or nothing less. I know that the Anti-Fan of mine is doing great job through the internet writing about my works in the United States. However, I take this as some sort of care or attention from the public, and it actually helps me to live through this harsh world.
Q: Have you ever thought about taking the stage yourself?
A: Of course! As an entertainer, I envy Bi in many ways. It is a pity that there was no one to support me like I supported Bi while I was working as a pop singer. As soon as Bi's project settles in the United States, I will definitely work on a new album in Korea.
Q: There were many rumors floating around about Bi splitting up with JYP Entertainment. What do you have to say?
A: Bi and I always work with synergy. When we are together, it's not just 1+1=2 equation, but much more than that. So, the news about Bi leaving me is a complete nonsense. He was once my student and singer. Now, we are friends and partners. We always share our thoughts on the productions and other works. It the one's talent which makes her/him a star, but to be a superstar one must have the spirit. Bi is the man of spirit, and I can guarantee that.
By Jun Hwi-gon
The one thing they agreed on was Bi's tremendous potential on the world stage. This following interview is about his producer Jin-Young Park, a Korean musician who made Bi (Jeong Ji-Hoon) into an international superstar.
Q: What is your response to the varying comments on Bi's concert?
A: The concert in New York was only the prelude of what we are planning now. This was done to build our new partnerships with the American companies in the United States; it is not the real debut of Bi. Therefore, it's too early to evaluate Bi's works in the United States. Our primary goal for now is the success of Bi's debut single which is coming in this October. With all the commercials, movies and co-productions with famous American singers, I believe it's not an impossible job to do. Selling 500,000 albums would be our first mission, and I am positive about this.
Q: The New York Times said that Bi lacks in creativity. What is your feeling about that comment?
A: Honestly, I never worried about neither our production or Bi's performance. However, I admit that the Asian entertainment trends different than those in the United States, and that might have affected critics' opinions on Bi's performance. But, the important part is that Bi is now getting the full spotlight in the actual entertainment market.
Q: Can you explain the specific details of the market's responses?
A: First of all, the guest members of America's top recording companies like Island Def Jam and other famous musicians have shown great interest in Bi on the day of the concert. So far, we've got offers from other producing companies to make partnerships for Asian album productions, and some even asked for Bi's performance in dancing movies.
Q: It seems like Bi has already gained his fame in many Asian countries. Is it really necessary to target the US market?
A: It may sound strange but we are targeting the US market to achieve further successes in the Asian market. Soon or later, China and Japan or even other Asian countries will have pop stars like Bi of their own nationalities. Even though their abilities and performances are not that great as Bi's the fans of each nations will support their national pop stars. As already happened in Korea, "New Kids On The Block" had great hit on Korean fans in 1990s, but after Korean boy bends like HOT came out, Korean fans turned their back on foreign pop singers. That is why we have to stretch our projects further to the United States, the premiere stage of the world.
Park, as a producer, not only produced Bi's works but also did production for American top singers like Will Smith and Mass. It's been 2 years since Park started his productions in the United States. Working in a small rented apartment in LA, he regularly visited over 20 record companies with his demo CD. For about 11 months, he had visited those record companies without any progress, and finally after all that trials, he got the call from "OverBrook Entertainment". That was the beginning of Park's production in the United States.
Q: How much does Park's success have to do with your skill?
A: [laughter] Maybe it's because I annoyed them so much. I just did my works in Korean way. I knew that it was impossible for me to meet the directors and other producers, so I left my demo CDs at the information desks and visited every record company everyday. After doing that for 10 months, I was becoming famous around those companies, and that probably interested some directors of the studios.
Q: I heard that you had so called Anti-Fan club for your shocking actions and speeches. Do you have anything to say about that?
A: I don't expect everyone to love me as a fan. As an entertainer before being a producer, I just want to be what I am, nothing more or nothing less. I know that the Anti-Fan of mine is doing great job through the internet writing about my works in the United States. However, I take this as some sort of care or attention from the public, and it actually helps me to live through this harsh world.
Q: Have you ever thought about taking the stage yourself?
A: Of course! As an entertainer, I envy Bi in many ways. It is a pity that there was no one to support me like I supported Bi while I was working as a pop singer. As soon as Bi's project settles in the United States, I will definitely work on a new album in Korea.
Q: There were many rumors floating around about Bi splitting up with JYP Entertainment. What do you have to say?
A: Bi and I always work with synergy. When we are together, it's not just 1+1=2 equation, but much more than that. So, the news about Bi leaving me is a complete nonsense. He was once my student and singer. Now, we are friends and partners. We always share our thoughts on the productions and other works. It the one's talent which makes her/him a star, but to be a superstar one must have the spirit. Bi is the man of spirit, and I can guarantee that.
By Jun Hwi-gon
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