Jun.K (37), a member of 2PM, who has returned with a physical album after 4 years and 9 months, expressed his desire to deliver pleasant energy to listeners.
Recently, Jun.K held a commemorative interview for the release of his mini album 'Dear My Muse' at a cafe located in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with Maeil Business Newspaper's Star Today.
When asked about his feelings ahead of the comeback, Jun.K opened up by saying, "Just the fact that I can release a solo album in Korea is exciting and I am grateful."
He continued, "I had been performing and releasing albums in Japan, so I was waiting for the right timing in Korea. I started preparing from December last year for about 5-6 months, and I thought a lot about what style would be good to approach. This time, my goal is to gift comfort rather than showing 'this is what I did'."
As the album title suggests, 'Dear My Muse' conveys stories and messages to someone who inspires him, featuring a total of 5 tracks. Jun.K showcased his musical abilities as a 'singer-songwriter' by crediting himself on all tracks.
“In the past, I had a strong desire for music, so I approached my work with the mindset of 'I have to do it all my way.' But this time, I focused on collaborating with the company staff within the JYP system. I decided on the album title 'Dear My Muse' out of gratitude for the fans who have waited and with the hope that it would be a gift for them.”
The title track 'R&B ME (Feat. Changbin of Stray Kids)' is a melodic pop track that highlights synth sounds and Jun.K's sweet vocals. The lyrics tell a love story in a warm and dreamy atmosphere, featuring Stray Kids' Changbin.
When asked how Changbin's feature came about, Jun.K replied, “At first, it was completely a solo song. But as I went into the second verse with the same progression, I thought, 'It might get boring,' so I hurriedly wrote a rap. I was wondering who would be good for this part, and since I liked Changbin's voice when he raps, I asked him, and he readily agreed.”
He added, “Stray Kids is going more global than 2PM was during our active days. Honestly, I thought, 'If Changbin features, it might attract more attention.' Since I have been active for a long time, it’s not easy to enter the current scene.”
Although he spoke humbly, in fact, 2PM, to which Jun.K belongs, is a major contributor to the establishment of today's JYP Entertainment.
Debuting in 2008, they appealed with masculine charm and dominated an era as 'beast idols,' boasting numerous hit songs such as 'Again & Again,' 'HEARTBEAT,' 'Our House,' and 'Aren't You Crazy?'
However, 2PM has not released an album in Korea since their 7th studio album 'MUST' in 2021, leading to a long wait for fans.
“Actually, a few weeks ago, I met with the members and talked about (full group activities). We know there are fans waiting. While we haven't precisely discussed 'when we will come back' or 'when we will perform,' we exchanged opinions that it would be nice to do something next year. We are coordinating schedules.”
Now in his 18th year since debut, Jun.K has been active in music for a long time, but he stated that his goal is to continue performing on stage. Rather than being overly concerned about immediate results, he wants to be a singer who can perform for a long time.
Jun.K said, “JYP's Park Jin-young is still performing on stage. Being able to stand on stage for a long time means there are people who want to see this person's performance. Watching Park Jin-young, I thought I also want to be someone who can perform for a long time. So I always think about 'how can I do this for a long time' and strive for it.”
He added, “Right now, it feels like I'm obsessed with performances. In the past, I had a strong desire to 'show myself,' but now I'm thinking about 'how can I create memories with those who come to the performance,' and I'm continuously researching the composition. Isn’t this the greatest happiness one can gain from being a singer?” and smiled brightly.
Meanwhile, Jun.K's mini album 'Dear My Muse' will be released on the 1st at 6 PM.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
