Jay Park, who transitioned from 2PM to establish himself as a solo artist, has now unveiled his vision for an idol group.
Boy group LONG SHOT (OHYUL, RYUL, WOOJIN, LOUIS) held a showcase event for their debut EP, ‘SHOT CALLERS,’ on the afternoon of the 13th at Minghua Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.
LONG SHOT is the first boy group introduced by Jay Park, the chief producer at More Vision. The four-member group consists of OHYUL, RYUL, WOOJIN, and LOUIS. Their name signifies ‘a crucial shot to turn the tables against the odds.’
Generating buzz early on, LONG SHOT marks Jay Park’s first idol group production. They have performed at college festivals alongside Jay Park and showcased their distinct charm on major stages such as the Melon Music Awards.
The title track, ‘Moonwalkin’,’ conveys the emotions of youth, combining dreams and self-assurance, with ‘moonwalking’ serving as a metaphor within its dreamy atmosphere.
Jay Park attended the event as a producer.
He expressed, ‘These are wonderful individuals into whom I can pour my heart and soul. I’m glad to meet people who feel like family,’ adding, ‘I’ve never produced idols before, so I relied on my intuition. I was confident in doing things differently but unsure of the method. With no established standards, the process naturally developed as I met various people and communicated.’
Jay Park discussed the deliberation process that led to his foray into idol production. He stated, ‘I’ve been a musician for 18 years, and for me to stay motivated, it has to feel meaningful. I always find meaning in people,’ and he reflected on reaching high levels in hip hop and R&B while establishing his company, pondering what would come next.
He continued, ‘In this era where K-pop is globally recognized, many people are producing idols. I felt that I should create artists based on my experiences – artists whom I admire and enjoy,’ noting the challenges and costs involved, yet determined to give it a try.
‘Throughout my career, I’ve always taken on challenges that others might doubt or worry about, breaking prejudices and ceilings,’ he added. ‘Rather than being the frontman myself, I want to pass on the torch to deserving artists.’
Previously, Jay Park caught attention with his ambition to shake up the idol industry.
He stated, ‘I think my intention for creating idols is quite different. There is still a sense of romance present. I believe this group was formed on that basis, and they purely enjoy music and dance,’ adding, ‘I want to persuade others and earn respect through my passion. Although I face critiques and moments when I fail to persuade, I believe genuine intentions over time will earn respect. I hope these artists follow the same path.’
LONG SHOT members added, ‘Our distinguishing factor is our commitment to paving our own path. Working with our CEO and developing a shared vision is refreshing in itself. Eventually, we want to be recognized as LONG SHOT, independent from Jay Park.’
