SEOUL (ANN/KOREA HERALD) – K-pop singer and rapper Jay Park made a much-anticipated return on Tuesday with the release of his sixth full-length album, The One You Wanted, a collection fans won’t want to miss.
The album features 20 tracks, including nine brand-new songs alongside 11 previously released singles. It marks Park’s first R&B-focused album in eight years, following his 2016 release Everything You Wanted. The large number of tracks sets it apart, as most K-pop studio albums typically include no more than 10 songs.
“After Everything You Wanted, I had always planned to release more R&B albums,” Park shared during a music listening session held at a movie theater in southern Seoul. “But due to various circumstances, the plan kept getting delayed. Finally, I was able to compile an album from the R&B tracks I’ve worked on over the past seven years.”
Park’s 2016 album earned him prestigious accolades at the Korean Music Awards, including Musician of the Year and Best R&B and Soul Music. The One You Wanted also represents his first full-length album in five years, following The Road Less Traveled in 2019.
When asked why he chose to release an album with as many as 20 tracks, Park explained, “The songs were always intended for a studio album. But if too many songs are released all at once, the public might not fully appreciate them. So I decided to pre-release some as singles to give each track the attention it deserves.”
Park acknowledged that releasing such a large album may not be financially beneficial, but emphasized his artistic commitment. “As an artist, I always want to keep growing. Even though I’m the CEO of my label, maintaining the artistic integrity of my work is important to me,” he said. “I’m proud of this album, and it’s something the entire team at More Vision can take pride in as well.”
The album’s three lead tracks — Mayday featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Gimme A Minute featuring Chungha, and Peace of Heaven featuring Isol from More Vision — showcase the breadth of Park’s R&B style. Describing Mayday, Park said, “It may not seem like a song with a lot of impact, but I hope it becomes one of my classic tracks that stands the test of time.”
The 37-year-old singer also addressed the public’s expectations regarding his well-known six-pack during performances. “I understand people expect a certain level of showmanship, but I don’t want to rely on that alone,” he explained. “While sexy performances can be entertaining, I hope it serves as a gateway for people to explore my music more deeply.”
With The One You Wanted, Jay Park once again proves his dedication to evolving as an artist while maintaining his signature style.
