Former 2PM member Jae-beom to debut solo

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff reporter

Jae-beom, who left the boy band 2PM after a highly contested Internet scandal, will release his solo album on July 13, Warner Music Korea announced Thursday.

The new single, titled ``Mideojulle (Will You Believe Me),'' features a reinterpretation of American rapper B.O.B's ``Nothin' on You.'' Korean songwriter Park Geun-tae incorporated a new melody into the original score, which is offered as two versions ― ``Mideojulle'' in Korean and ``Count on Me'' in English. A remix of the former is also included on the solo album as its third track.

The 23-year-old, also known as Jay Park, has been represented by entertainment attorney Ned Sherman in pursuing an international career. From May 19 to 20 he visited Taiwan to record his new single and shoot the album cover and music video. Only a rendition of the original B.O.B song by Jae-beom was released in June as he waited for the confirmation of the rights to use the piece.

``Though the songs are based on the hit number by B.O.B it's Jae-beom's first solo album under his own name,'' said Warner Music Korea. ``Though we first aimed for international distribution we decided to release it first in Korea with respect for Jae-beom's local fans. The album will be distributed in the near future in Asia, beginning with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.''

재범, 솔로 데뷔

그룹 2PM을 탈퇴한 재범이 7월 13일 첫 솔로 음반 '믿어줄래'를 발표한다고 워너뮤직 코리아가 8일 밝혔다.

재범의 솔로 데뷔 곡 '믿어줄래'는 미국 래퍼 B.O.B의 히트곡 'Nothin' On You'를 작곡한 박근태씨가 편곡한 곡으로 한국어와 영어버전 및 리믹스곡이 앨범에 실린다.

재범은 지난 5월 19일과20일 대만을 방문해 곡 녹음과 앨범 재킷 및 뮤직비디오 촬영을 마쳤다.

워너뮤직 코리아는 "B.O.B의 히트곡 커버지만 이번 음반은 재범이 자신의 이름을 내건 첫 솔로 음반"이라고 강조하며 "향후 대만, 홍콩, 싱가포르 등 아시아 지역을 중심으로 발매 지역을 확대할 것"이라고 말했다.