[OSENWORLD] JUN. K of 2PM has addressed the group’s future and the members’ growing individual pursuits, stressing respect and support for each path they have taken.
With 2PM now in its 17th year, the singer-songwriter admitted that there are no concrete plans yet for a group comeback. “We met recently and talked about how we really want to do something together,” he said. “There’s nothing set in stone, but our hearts are eager to meet fans as soon as possible.”
As members branch into acting, solo music, and other ventures under different agencies, JUN. K was clear: “These are personal choices, and I respect them. We’ve all been working for a long time. It’s not about abandoning 2PM. Everyone is simply taking on new challenges in life, and I honor that.”
21 Years with JYP
JUN. K also reflected on his enduring bond with JYP Entertainment, where he has remained for 21 years and now serves as an external director. “I once wondered if I should still be here, but when I asked J.Y. Park, he thanked me for staying so long. That really touched me,” he shared.
Watching the company grow from a handful of staff to 700 employees, he said, reinforced his own pride as an artist: “Seeing them build systems and take pride in their work made me want my fans to feel proud of me too.”
Advice for K-Pop’s Next Generation
Turning to the industry’s younger idols, JUN. K voiced concern over mental health. “This job puts you under constant judgment, and the pressure can be intense. I went through insomnia and times when my mental state nearly collapsed. What saved me was developing a routine.”
He advised juniors: “After facing big crowds, the sudden solitude can feel empty. I hope they each find their own way to manage it. Take care of your health, both physically and mentally.”
Solo and Beyond
Now in his 10th year as a soloist, JUN. K insists on giving his best. “The music I release is what remains of me. I want to create without regret. When I look back years later, even if there are flaws, I want to feel proud, not embarrassed.”
Looking to the future, he keeps his ambitions simple: “My dream is to continue steadily, even 10 or 20 years from now. If I can still be making music then, that will be my greatest happiness.”
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
Photo courtesy of JYP Entertainmen
