A 20-year-old Korean American collegian has impressed judges on hit FOX show “American Idol” and received a ticket to Hollywood to star on the show’s ninth season, raising hopes that he might become the next American idol.
Park is from Northbrook, Illinois and is currently an economics major at Chicago's Northwestern University.
He performed “I’ll Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” and impressed the judges, especially guest judge Shania Twain who mentioned that he had a “beautiful bottom end and nice lips.”
Park is a member of a cappella group, the Northwestern Purple Haze. John's friends and fellow members talked about him in an article in The Daily Northwestern.
It quoted Christian Gero, Park’s roommate and fellow member of Purple Haze, as saying he went to Park’s audition in Chicago. “He really impressed the judges,” he said. “He came out with the golden ticket and we all went crazy.”
Gero said Park’s personality is what makes him a great candidate for American Idol.
“He’s a charmer,” he said. ”He’s a really lovable character.”
And it doesn’t hurt that Park is a talented singer, Gero said.
Purple Haze will hold viewing parties each week to watch Park, said Kate Sheridan, the group’s general manager.
Janelle Kroll, former member of Purple Haze, said she is sure Park will make it through to the next round. “His voice just oozes soul,” she said. “He’s the full package. He needs to be a superstar.
“America is going to fall in love with him.”