[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Justin Park Says, "the greatest rewards are earned with effort"

Justin Park is a Korean-American singer, songwriter under 5A Label and is known for his charming voice. Justin is based in Los Angeles, California where he debuted in 2017 as an R&B artist. His debut track “Dates in LA” brought out his style and sound and captured the attention of many fans.

Last year, he dropped his debut album Places Like Home which, ” features a complex look at the 22 year old artist who penned all the songs on this album.”

Justin is well-known in the K-POP industry for his close friendship with Amber Liu who also featured on his track “XL Uber” and for writing the track “That’s My Jam” for K-POP boy group, B.A.P.

The artist sits down to talk about his music and style, his experiences and what he wishes to accomplish and say through his music.

Check out his answers to our questions below.

HYPNOTICASIA: Please introduce yourself to the audience of HypnoticAsia.
JUSTIN PARK: Hi everyone at HypnoticAsia my name is Justin Park. I’m a young R&B artist from Los Angeles with A LOT of passion for music, and life. I’m fun loving, bubbly, and loaded with energy. I’m always either dancing, singing, or whistling, and when you see me, I’m sure I’ll love you, because I really love people!

HYPNOTICASIA: What drew you to the music industry?
JUSTIN PARK: I’ve always loved music and growing up it was a huge part of my life. Music was very freeing for me. I had a struggle filled childhood, so music was one of the many things I could do with friends, to dream about a brighter future. And here I am now.

HYPNOTICASIA: How would you say you have developed since you debuted?
JUSTIN PARK: I think that I’ve seen a lot of growth as a person since my debut, and my approach with music has also changed since then. I’ve learned to enjoy life through a different lens, and I’ve also learned that being over critical is destruction; both in life, and in art. By learning to battle my biggest fears, I feel that every day I bring myself just that much closer to happiness.

HYPNOTICASIA: What do you feel is the best track you have ever released and why?
JUSTIN PARK: I think that the most successful piece of work that I’ve put out thus far is my song “On The Low”, produced and written with TheWavys.
And I say this because I think that the song hits every aspect of what a fun hit song might be; It sits in a perfect up-tempo groove that makes you immediately want to dance, and the well written lines keep you wanting to listen, and sing along. But second honorable mention would have to go to “LOFI” produced and written with Peter Misterxrocks.

HYPNOTICASIA: Do you have a favorite performance so far? If so, which performance and why?
JUSTIN PARK: A performance that always sticks out in my memory, is my performance here in LA, with Amber Liu, during her Gone Rogue Tour. I remember seeing all of my mentors, all of my best friends, everybody from Koreatown, and people from all over the world at this show, I really felt on top of the world. Oh, and not to mention, I also sprained my ankle SO hard jumping off of a 3-foot platform, twisting my ankle on a sand bag on the floor, and not from the jump that I had done off of a stack of 10 foot speakers just seconds before…

HYPNOTICASIA: What is the biggest problem you have encountered on your journey through music?
JUSTIN PARK: I think that I have an issue with being over critical, both of my work and of my life. By letting go and not wanting to control everything, I think that I find a sort of freedom. Now instead of trying to lead the art, I let the art lead me, and I’m just a part of the ride.

HYPNOTICASIA: What do you enjoy the most about being an artist? What about your least favorite thing?
JUSTIN PARK: There are some perks to being an artist, and I’ve come nowhere near exploring them all, but it is a fun and exciting lifestyle. However, what I view as fun can be extremely tiring for some. A days worth of work for instance can be a photo shoot, after an audition for a casting, all before a recording session with an important producer, and a performance later that night for a friends brand launch party, before a meet and greet with fans, and reps from the press, to end the night.

HYPNOTICASIA: How would you describe your music to someone who may not have heard it before?
JUSTIN PARK: My music is definitely R&B that takes from the writing style and sounds of the 90’s, as well as the groove and feel of the 80’s, all combined with the more current trap-soul kind of feel. I’m not sure what to call it, but I’ve definitely made it mine.

HYPNOTICASIA: What does your music aim to say?
JUSTIN PARK: I’d like to say that all of my music is positive, whether if it’s a message for myself or the general public, I aim to uplift. My music comes from a real place, and is written from the heart, so I dearly wish that it can touch someone’s life, or even change it for the better.

HYPNOTICASIA: Who or what are your biggest influences? How have they influenced you?
JUSTIN PARK: Tupac, Michael Jackson, and Ty Dolla $ign, to name a few, are huge musical inspirations for me. I think listening to their musicality has taught me so much about groove, feel, lyrical sensibility, and tone, that this is where the musical standard is. People may disagree and that’s fine, but I stand by my choice 🙂

HYPNOTICASIA: Who would you say has been your biggest support?
JUSTIN PARK: Definitely my team here at 5A, I can’t do a thing without these guys. Peter my boss, Edward my producer/manager, and Andre Producer/Engineer.

HYPNOTICASIA: Do you get nervous before a performance? If so, how do you overcome it?
JUSTIN PARK: I get nervous ALL the time, even just talking to people on the street! But in high school I made it a priority of mine to challenge myself, and to face my fears; learning earlier on that the greatest rewards are earned with effort.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you could collaborate with any artist you have not worked with before, who would it be and why?
JUSTIN PARK: I’d want to collaborate with H.E.R., Miguel, Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign, and Tupac. Just because, they’re hella dope.

HYPNOTICASIA: In the past, you wrote for K-POP artist, B.A.P. If you could write for more K-POP artists, who would it be and why?
JUSTIN PARK: Of course, I’d wish to write for some of my k-pop heroes: 2PM, Big Bang, and Tae Yang. But some newer k-pop groups/artists would be: BTS, Crush, Dean, and DPR Live.

HYPNOTICASIA: What are you working on now? When can we expect some new music releases?
JUSTIN PARK: I am currently working on finishing my second album, and you can expect this body of work very soon! For the better part of 2019, I’ve been working on furthering, as well as polishing my sound, and I think in this project this is very apparent. I don’t want to give away too much, but I’ll say that it’s very fun.

HYPNOTICASIA: Do you plan to go on tour again soon?
JUSTIN PARK: Yes, Amber and I along with some amazing artists will go on tour next year during the month of February! Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this for so long, and I’m glad that the tour has more cities. I know a lot of fans around America have been waiting for a round two, so I’m very thankful to Amber who is gracious enough to have me along for the ride.

HYPNOTICASIA: You went on tour last year with Amber Liu; can you tell us a little about your experience being on tour?
JUSTIN PARK: Being on tour with Amber, till today is one of my favorite musical accomplishments. Not only was that my first ever tour experience, but it was a real 8 city back to back, America Tour. This experience not only taught me just how resilient I am, but it also taught me how much I can accomplish so as long as my heart and mind are both focused on one thing. I can’t wait until the next one.

HYPNOTICASIA: Have you participated in any major auditions?
JUSTIN PARK: One of my first major auditions was a private audition for “America’s Got Talent” maybe 3-4 years ago? And my last musical audition since then was with Diddy’s “The Four” maybe 2 years ago.

HYPNOTICASIA: What do you want to accomplish in your music career?
JUSTIN PARK: My over-arching goal through music is to inspire. I’ve had a tough childhood, as I’ve said before, and often times because of my family situation I’ve felt either unwanted or unworthy. I know that because of uncertain times in my past, I’ve been able to fortify and build myself to be a strong and accomplished individual.

HYPNOTICASIA: What’s the process like when you are creating music?
JUSTIN PARK: The process is always different. And I open by saying this only because I never feel it is quite the same. Something about the vibe, or the production playing in the background is always different. This being the case, I bask in how that feels, and it usually brings me the topic with which I can begin to write. And from there it is a journey that stops only when the pen decides to. The only way I can put it into words is that it is like a wave. A wave of ideas that flows at its own will, and where it stops is where I’ll have to pick up again. And all my ideas come from either real experiences, or moments with which I have imagined, usually cases I can sympathize or empathize with.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you weren’t doing music, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
JUSTIN PARK: I think that if I hadn’t found music I would’ve at least tried to act. Growing up, and especially in middle school and high school, I was fond of many actors and YouTubers; one day hoping to be like them. I found something so fun about entertaining and being able to share what I thought was funny. Even now I find enjoyment in thinking that his may be something that I could do life-long; sharing stories through my interpretation of the emotions involved.

HYPNOTICASIA: What advice would you give to an up and coming artist?
JUSTIN PARK: Don’t ever doubt how artistic you are, and constantly build upon your perspective. Perspective on this earth is everything. Try and see how a positive mindset, despite draw backs, can influence a positive result. Though a small piece of advice, it is one that comes with huge benefits.

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