[Interview] Jun.K: "I Want to Leave Behind an Album I Can Be Proud of Even Ten Years From Now"

Fourth Mini Album 'Dear my muse' Released on September 1
"2PM Is a True Family... We'll Do Something Together"

Singer Jun K. Photo by JYP Entertainment

"I wanted to create something I would never regret. I hope this album will remain something I can be proud of, even ten years from now."

Singer Jun.K (of 2PM) described the significance of his new album, which he is releasing after four years and nine months. When we met at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on August 27, he expressed his gratitude to fans, saying, "Everyone who owns my album is my muse."

On September 1 at 6 p.m., Jun.K will release his fourth mini album, "Dear my muse." This is his first album in four years and nine months since his third mini album, "20 Minutes," released in December 2020, and his first new song in a year since the digital single "Paint this love" in August last year. He explained, "I filled this album with music that feels like a gift anyone can enjoy comfortably."

The title track is "R&B ME," featuring Changbin of Stray Kids. It is a melodic pop track that blends synth sounds and vocals, telling a story of love in a warm and dreamy atmosphere. The music video captures Jun.K, who falls asleep while working on the song, as he journeys between dreams and reality in search of his muse.

In addition to the title track, the album includes five songs: "Privacy," "ALL ON YOU," "LARGO," and "Happy Ending." Jun.K participated in writing the lyrics for all tracks. He said, "When I released my first Korean solo album in 2016, I felt a lot of pressure to prove myself musically. Now, I don't think something unique is always what the public likes. How the music connects with people is more important than the music itself." He also shared that his approach to making music has become more flexible.

"In the past, I felt pressured to be responsible for everything myself, so I worried about even the smallest details. Now, I work with a team within the company's large system. Sharing reasons for revisions and exchanging opinions has made the process more efficient."

From January to March this year, he held his solo tour "O/N" in Japan, and in August, he completed the "Summer Room Tour: Spicy" in Japan and Taiwan. Fans and performances remain at the center for him. Jun.K emphasized, "I want to perform for a long time. The way fans look at me and breathe with me during concerts is what keeps me on stage." He added, "Because of the emotions I feel at concerts, I hope this album will also be a gift to fans. I want to keep going where I am. My dream is to still be making music ten or twenty years from now."

Singer Jun K. Photo by JYP Entertainment

Recently, his main focus has been on health and mental well-being. Having suffered from insomnia for nearly ten years, he said, "It's not completely resolved, but I work out every day and stick to one meal a day, which has helped me regain my mental strength." He continued, "During my hiatus, I thought, 'I can't just stay like this,' so I made a daily commitment, which turned out to be exercise. Taking care of my health also stabilized my mind." He advised younger idols, "After traveling all over the world, coming home alone can feel very empty. It's important to have your own routine or hobby."

Jun.K has been with JYP Entertainment for 21 years. He said the reason he has stayed so long is because "it's an honest and upright company." He shared, "There were times when I wondered if I should keep staying, but I was touched when Park Jinyoung told me, 'Thank you for staying so long.'" Regarding his title of "Director of External Affairs" given in 2017, he said, "I'm more of an artist than a director. I really admire people who go to the office every day," he said with a laugh.

He also shared plans for 2PM's future activities. "Recently, the members and I met and talked about doing something together as soon as possible. I want to meet our fans as soon as I can. Calling the members friends isn't enough. They're like family. We can comfortably share difficult stories and celebrate good things together."

He recounted how Wooyoung and Junho sent a coffee truck to support him, saying, "Knowing the members are always there for me gives me great strength." Referring to Super Junior's recent 20th anniversary concert, he said, "It's time for us to put our heads together, too."

As a member of a second-generation K-pop group, he has played a leading role in K-pop's growth, expanding the Korean Wave that swept Southeast Asia to Latin America and Europe. Jun.K said, "I really respect how today's idols are performing on the global stage. I hope they stay healthy." Watching his juniors stand on the stages he once dreamed of, he said, "It feels like each generation is climbing the steps one after another."

At the end of the interview, he reiterated his goal for his musical life. "I hope I can still meet with reporters like this and share my story ten years from now. I hope you'll come then, too. I want to stay close to the public and continue doing well for a long time."