It was just another regular afternoon in the MTV office. Folks running around doing their daily work. Me? I was just kicking back, listening to Korea’s super boybands 2PM and 2AM (how utterly confusing!), upon the request of my blog editor. To be frank, much as I love music, I’m not one of those who blatantly declare “I listen to all music!” In reality, no one really does and anyone who dares say that, is a phoney. You listen to all music? How about death jazz? Middle Eastern garage rock? Baroque pop? I’m ready to admit that I only listen to certain genres and Korean and Japanese Pop definitely aren’t part of them.
But as a music blogger, I’m ready for change (although I really love my dollars). So, if I must understand the allure of K/J-Pop, I must then, delve right into the belly of the beast. And since the lovely boys from 2AM performed at the MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia’s post party and were ever so charming, I raided one of the designers’ desk and absconded with 2PM’s “2:00PM Time For Change” (how apt!) and 2AM’s “Time For Confession” (is this a coincidence?) and attempted the impossible – Fall in love with K-Pop.
2PM's "Time For Change"
While I was looking through the elaborately designed CD sleeves and trying to tell the boys from 2AM and 2PM apart, someone shouted over the desks and disrupted the peace of the day: 2PM’s leader, Park Jaebeom, has quit the group!
Gasp. Shock. Horror. I haven’t even heard enough to tell the songs apart just yet. Now I have to deal with the traumatizing possibilities of a new line-up while I was getting on with the old.
Park Jaebeom, ex-2PM
According to reports, Jaebeom has been blasted for his controversial remarks (allegedly “I hate Koreans”) he made between 2005 – 2007 on MySpace. The comments were made way before he made it big with 2PM and were recently publicized, much to the outrage of the public (*Edit: Apparently, it wasn’t the fans. They are more than supportive for Jaebeom, as you can see from the comments below) who wanted blood for his reckless and immature behavior. Although he has apologized and JYP Entertainment’s CEO Park Jin-young has given his statement that Jaebeom would stay in the group, the situation turned for the worst. On September 8, Jaebeom posted on Fancafe with the following statement:
“Hello, I’m 2PM’s Jaebeom.
I’m sorry for giving you my last greeting through this letter.
I think it will be hard for me to see you all on stage because of my sorry heart.
I’m really sorry to everyone, and I’m even more sorry to the fans who have shown me love.
From today, I will leave 2PM.
2PM boys, I’m really sorry to the boys and I’m sorry I couldn’t be strong as a leader and a hyung and have to leave like this.
However, I hope you will be more cool and charming.
Again, I’m sorry.
Jaebeom”
As reported by www.asiae.co.kr, Jaebeom will be returning to United States (Update: Oh, he already did!) and 2PM will continue their worldwide domination. (*Edit: Rumors that Lee Junho would be taking over as the newly appointed band leader are currently unverified.)
So much drama indeed. All you K-Pop fans out there, any thoughts on this? While you are at it, give me your hearty recommendations for which K/J-Pop groups to check out. Reason? I wouldn’t want this to happen to me, even though events of this outrageous murder over Wonder Girls might be grossly exaggerated.
51 Responses to “2PM’s Park Jaebeom Quits?”
yes. even the korea media found the screencaps of Jays’ love towards korean, only after he almost reaching the airport for seattle. it’s too late. his innocence, it’s proven. altho what he commented earlier was harsh, but we, hottest, knew how hard it must be for him back then. leaving his family in seattle, making out good in korea atlast. but now? netizens only kept the good one and show his faults. no matter what, 2PM will remain seven in our hearts. together with Jay Park <3
I guess Jay really left too abruptly for the Korean media to response properly. To look at things on the bright side, now they know how harsh everyone was towards Jay. He might just return soon. I feel it in my gut and hope for the best for all 2PM fans!
this is very disappointing.now,the netizen regretted it.too late netizen.too late.i’ve been following the news since this morning.to be honest,every second was heartbreaking from his last message in the fan cafe till his departure at Incheon Airport.losing this young talented man in the music industry means it’s a BIG lost to Korea.now,we hoping that he will stay strong no matter what.love & respect,Jay Park.
p/s:try lachata by f(x) and 2ne1’s mini album.they won’t disappoint you.x)
When I heard the news, I was quite taken aback because I was really holding the CD in my hands and looking at their photos! It was like a “This is soooo not happening!!!” moment for me.
And thanks for the recommendation. Now I have lots of groups to check out! Busy time!
I seriously think that this should not happen. I understand the fact that the netizens are angry but it should be to a certain extend. This thing happened 4 years ago and they should understand Jaebeom’s situation at that time, having to survive in a different country without his family and adapting with a new culture and language(he’s from the US, for those who don’t know).
I am their fan and I’m sure that many will agree to the fact that Jaebeom is a talented entertainer and to let him leave like that is just unacceptable. He already made a sincere apology and his later comments in myspace (made in 2006) also revealed how he wanted to stay in Korea as a Korean.
Whatever it is, I think netizens have gone too far on this matter. To fight over things that happened 4 years ago seems a bit immature considering how he has changed nowadays. I believe Jaebeom deserves a second chance.
P/S:..and while I’m at it, I suggest you try listening to Dong Bang Shin Ki, Big Bang and FT Island… They are also my favourite groups~
Hmm. In my most humble opinion, Jaebeom might be given a second chance. Time will heal all wounds. There will come a time he might return from Seattle and the general public of Korea would accept him as part of 2PM again. Keep hope alive!
And thanks for the recommended! Your suggestions are quite similar to madamhana’s. Will check them out!
It really is a sad thing… I mean nobody is perfect and people do make mistakes… He made a comment on myspace like 5 years ago?? With all the pressure and training he had to endure last time, I would have done something like that… The netizens were too harsh on him =(
Park Jaebeom, we support you so pls come back!
I agree! The comment was made so long ago. Since he already apologized, the public should perhaps give him a little break.
this is so unfair for jay!
tha past is past, antis is so damn stupid didn’t think before speak and then regreted it? HUH IT’S TOO LATE MORONS
It’s quite unfair indeed. But I think Jaebeom did what he felt was right by leaving so as to give the public a proper apology. With the support of his fans, I am sure that he might be able to return soon! Have hope!
i bet u already know about super junior (suju) and dbsk? i think these days G-Dragon from Bigbang is taking over Kchart. his new album is AWESOME! girlband 2ne1 from the same company with bigbang also has a genius album. u should check it
Oh! I actually met SuJa at last year’s MTV Asia Awards. Really nice boys and quite funny as well!
Thanks for recommending more groups to check out. Will definitely give DBSK, G-Dragon, 2ne1 a listen. My blog editor will be very pleased! YAY!
“The comments were made way before he made it big with 2PM and were recently uncovered by his FANS, who wanted blood for his reckless and immature behavior.”
so not true… the fans weren’t the ones who wanted blood.
Thanks for correcting my mistake. You are right. Never doubt the support of true fans! Have edited the original post. Thanks!
the news made me cry like a little kids!its so sad.2PM will be never be the same without Jay. 2PM FIGHTING! HOTTEST WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU & 2PM!
p/s: i recommend you to check out FT Island.their new song is freaking awesome!
Hope you feel better! I think Jaebeom will be very touched that his fans are so supportive!
Will definitely check out FT Island!
Forgive.. Why they can’t forgive Jaebeom? It’s so sad to see a rising star falling just like that!!
What’s past is past…
Jay deserve a second chance…He is also a human being who makes mistake…
To err is to human, to forgive is divine…
i don’t believe that Lee Junho has been officially named leader of 2PM. as much as i adore Junho (he is my favorite), he can’t replace leadja Jae, but if it is him, he will be a great interim leader til Jae comes back. i have faith that Jae will return. he is 2PM. 2PM are all 7 of them to make one.
i hope Jae can reflect on this, get over it, and move on.. and come back to 2PM. he has too much talent to be wasted. we, fans of music, should not be deprived of his talents just because netizens are stupid and have nothing better than to try to ruin a person’s life.
Without Jaebeom, 2pm will never be the same. When i look/listen to the boy band i would be thinking of how JaeBeom was one of em. Im not a big fan of 2pm, Well yeah i am….. the way that netizens and Anti-Fans reacted to comment of the “myspace controversy” was a lil exaggerated. Yes the comment was wrong, everyone makes a mistake. Park JaeBeom shouldn’t have said it but the apologies he gave, the sorrow in his eyes, the way he sincerely admit that it was wrong, shouldn’t they give him another chance?. Plus that comment was 2years old. The pressure of being a trainee got to him.
Yes, quitting was his idea, no one placed that decision on him or did they? face it the pressure of the negativity, the petition to have him commit suicide, WTH is that?
—->well in the midst of my babbling, my point of all that was that he shouldn’t be ostracized for a 2year old comment. O yeah and when he didnt know the Korean Anthem, so what i dont even know it. Hes more Americanized. give him a break<—-
T_T *JaeBeom is NEEDED to complete 2PM*
It’s too bad without Park Jaebeom in 2PM group! So sad!!
Poor Jae… I’m not a fan of 2M, but still, I feel sorry for him. Korean Netizens should just chill out a bit and antis should go get a life.
I think it’s best for him to just stop and leave Korea before something bad happen to him. I’m kinda glad seeing him leaving Korea. At least he’ll live, and I hope him the best.
p.s.: you’ve met SuJu?! you are sooooo lucky…. tell me, what do you think of Eunhyuk? he’s my favorite SuJu member… ^^
This can’t be true! Because of a diary he wrote he leaves?! It isn’t right!