Jae-beom, the former leader of the boy band 2PM, has finally spoken up about rumors surrounding his private life and feeling toward his former management agency.

Speaking in an interview with daily Sports Chosun on Monday, Jae-beom said that he does not get irate even though he always checks up all negative comments about him. 

“It would be a lie to say that I am not entirely concerned with critics. However, I wonder if those who blame me can express love towards their families instead of doing so,” he said. “It doesn’t count if they continually denounce me. I am trying to embrace the critics from a positive point of view.”

It is his first comment about the rumor since his former agency JYP Entertainment expelled him from the group 2PM in February for what they claimed was a “big mistake” in his private life. The agency has not given details.

“JYP and I didn’t intend to do harm to each other, but life is too short,” he said. “I hope that both sides can break through in what they are doing.”

However, when asked of the “problems” in his private life that JYP had mentioned, he declined to make any comments about it.

The Korean-American left 2PM and returned to the United States in November as controversy erupted over his online comments about Korea. Later, JYP Entertainment announced that he would not be able to return to the company.

He returned to Seoul in June from Seattle to film the 3-D dance film “Hype Nation.”

Jae-beom, also known as Jay Park, officially resumed his music career in Seoul as well. The 23-year-old signed an exclusive contract with Sidus HQ, one of the biggest entertainment agencies in Korea.

The singer released a new single album, “Will You Believe Me,” on July 13.

"If it were not for the fans that have been waiting for me to show up, I would not have come through the hardship,” he said. “I will venture to live up to their expectations.”



By Ryu Jeong-hyun

Intern reporter