JYP Kicks Out Park Jae-beom
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Former 2PM leader Park Jae-beom has officially left JYP Entertainment (JYPE), dashing the hopes of fans who have been clamoring for his return to the popular seven-member boy band.
In a message posted on its Web site, JYP Entertainment said it had terminated its exclusive contract with Park. The Korean-American left the group in September after incurring the public's wrath for critical comments he made about Korea on social networking site MySpace between 2005 and 2007.
JYPE revealed it had made plans for Park to rejoin 2PM, but they were scuttled after the young singer admitted last December that he had done something ``that was more serious than the MySpace controversy.''
``To 2PM and everyone who waited for Park's return, we deeply apologize. ... The company and the six remaining members of 2PM will work even harder to present an improved image,'' JYPE said.
The message, which the company emphasized was ``true in its entirety,'' included a long explanation of how the firm had dealt with Park during and after the controversy in Korea.
The company acknowledged that Park's MySpace comments were written on his personal page while he was having a hard time during his days as a trainee at JYPE. At the time of the controversy, the company agreed with Park's request for some time off for self-reflection, but did not plan to curb his activities in the entertainment industry or to remove him from 2PM.
However, Park's comments, which the agency said were exaggerated through mistranslations, had already enraged the public. So, Park decided to leave the group and return to the United States in September, a move that JYPE supported.
After his departure, fans demanded Park be reinstated as a member of 2PM, even organizing boycotts of the band's events.
Apparently, JYPE was already preparing for Park's comeback, even while 2PM continued as a six-member group. Company president Park Jin-young even personally visited the young singer in Seattle and sought vocal, dance and acrobatics teachers for his training.
Last November, the company proposed Park's return to the group for a new album that will be released in April. Park agreed and planned to return to Korea in the third week of February for a press conference announcing the return of a seven-member 2PM.
``Because of the public support he got after leaving the group, Park's comeback would have advanced 2PM's efforts, and the firm would have received the support of fans once again,'' JYPE said.
However, plans for Park's comeback were derailed after a revelation from the young singer. ``On Dec. 22, Jae-beom confessed to company representative Jung-wook that he had done something wrong while in the middle of the `Again and Again' promotions. It was apparently more serious than the MySpace controversy,'' the agency said.
JYPE officials and the remaining band members held a meeting on Jan. 3, and three days later agreed ``it was no longer possible for Park to continue activities with 2PM.''
``While we wanted have the information out as soon quickly as possible, Park's personal affairs prevented us from disclosing details until today. We hope you understand,'' the company said.
2PM is currently one of the most popular boy bands in Korea. Its members include Jun-su, Nichkhun, Taec-yeon, Woo-young, Jun-ho and Chan-sung. Their hit song ``Again and Again'' was named Song of the Year at the KBS year-end music festival.