16 Sep 2009
Melon-Music story - 2PM at a crisis due to Jaebum’s leaving announcement
Comments offensive to Koreans written by 2PM member ‘Jaebum’ 4 years ago on an overseas social community recently spread willy-nilly on the internet and angered netizens and residents, leading to ‘Jaebum’ eventually announcing resignation from 2PM and departing for America.
Jaebum posted an apology letter showing his regrets but it was nowhere enough to calm down the netizens, who were on fire. From another point of view, there was talk that the comments written were mistranslated into Korean, and also that the witch-hunt-like criticism from netizens were too harsh. My heart was saddened as I read the article that reported him crying in his mother’s arms back in America, and thought of him as one family’s son, aside from the insults and job as an idol star.
Of course Jaebum must be heartbroken because of the mistakes he made, but on the other hand my worries go to the remaining 2PM members.
Sudden rainfall at 2 in the afternoon
The group had completed successful activities with their debut song ’10 out of 10’, which was followed up by ‘Angel’ and ‘Only You’ and were acknowledged by the public for their musical excellence when they rose to the top in just 9 months with their second mini-album and ‘Again & Again’. The phrase ‘unstoppable, with no boundaries’ suited 2PM well. Group 2PM was bright and active in mainstream music programs, cable, and other variety shows. 2PM was just like a clear and sunny day at 2 o’clock. But where on earth did this sudden concentrated storm come from?!
There have been many things in the past, both big and small, but the process of an American citizen becoming a controversy in such short time, a very quick battle indeed, and quitting his group made me bitter as I was reminded of the high-speed hearts in our technology-strong country.
Young Park Jaebum and 2PM’s Jaebum
Which is the one that we really wanted?
JYP’s representative Park Jinyoung, who had been the one to discover, cast and train as an idol singer, put out an official apology for 2PM’s leader Jaebum’s sudden resignation notice. That was JYP officially sharing his situation, and he carefully shared his opinion saying “I think the important thing isn’t 2PM’s Park Jaebum, it’s the young Park Jaebum” and “I wish to respect Jaebum’s decision”. Amidst this, when the possibility of Jaebum’s return as 2PM looks very bleak, I couldn’t not think carefully about young Park Jaebum.
The image of 2PM’s Jaebum we look at as an idol singer can only be very one-dimensional. Jaebum’s position in 2PM was the leader, and had the image of someone very dependable and responsible. Of course I know very well that these things could just be something that the company made up. Because rather than a musician, Jaebum was an idol star that moved exactly as the strict system of the company directed him to.
I thought that maybe people lost it and blew up at him when he supposedly betrayed them and pretended to be something he wasn’t, because of his good image and the fact that he was currently at the top. The situation got worse, as if it was wrong for everybody not to get mad, and many started throwing their stones, but if you think about it, Jaebum, who wrote the text on the internet, was merely a young trainee from overseas. He wasn’t the complete and polished idol ‘2PM’s Jaebum’, just a teenager called Park Jaebum.
I think I can imagine the infinite hardships he suffered and stumbled upon after choosing a path as a singer, giving up so many things and moving to Korea after living overseas his whole life. Because nobody is an idol or singer from birth.. It could be that 4 years ago, Jaebum in fact was the ruffled, rebellious teen that Park Jinyoung said he was. But I think that you must acknowledge the sweat and endeavour to become a member of 2PM was real, and I also think that anyone could admit that his triumphant place on the top, getting 1st place after debut, is the result of doing his best, and overcoming predicaments.
Were the immature, meaningless things teenage Jaebum wrote really enough to turn all that effort into foam?
His nationality may be American, but he has Korean blood flowing in him and also it was very wrong to insult Korea, the stage he is most active in. Even if it was on a personal web space. Also their company JYP making this problem too big could be seen as a mistake. If it weren’t a celebrity and just another person, it would still remain a shameful and irritating act, but we should take a step back, calm down and think whether the stones we threw weren’t too big or sharp.. And think whether he was badly hurt by them or not.
2PM and Jaebum - again and again!
2PM with Jaebum missing is to be attend and perform at the 2009 Dream Concert as planned. Management company JYP hasn’t officially announced anything about this so it’s a bit confusing but if the 6 go onstage as 2PM they must continue promotions without a leader.
Within 2PM, leader Jaebum’s role was big so we must wait and see what kind of stage production and music they will show us, but I can’t help but think it is unfortunate and very bare to look at 2PM as six people.
Already there are more than 100,000 people petitioning against Jaebum’s resignation, and many netizens and music related people are pointing out problems in the industry and structure of management companies through this too-quick-to-catch-a-breath case, so I am rather worried if Jaebum obviously, and also the other 2PM members haven’t caught a cold from the unexpected rainfall.
2PM.. The sunniest time of the day, we wait for 2PM’s ‘again’!
Although how 2PM will continue from now on is indefinite, I will personally wait for 2PM’s ‘again’ if Jaebum is reflecting on his actions and thoughts. I don’t know which way this incident will flow, but as much as it was progressed rapidly, I thought that we must think seriously about the things to come.
As 2PM sang to us with their song, I would like to see them now coming together ‘again & again’. Because there are still too many songs left for us to hear from them.
I am curious to know what you all think of the Jaebum incident, and about 2PM’s future direction.
Credit: Kor-Eng by Janne@Madam2pmsubs, Coordinator: Cassina@2pm-online.com
Source:Melon
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