JYP: Memorable Performances

on Monday, February 23, 2009 11:53AM

Park Jin Young (JYP) is known as one of the premiere masters of molding talent. After all, he did discover and produce chart-topping artists like Son Ho Young, Ivy, Rain and the Wonder Girls. Besides being an amazing producer, he is first and foremost a musician himself. In the wake of his work as a producer, his successful career as a singer has not come to a halt: to date, his latest album Back To The Stage is one of his best works.

As a producer, JYP is way ahead of the curve in identifying current and budding industry trends, and naturally, he is also light years ahead of the game when it comes to performing. While other artists rely on lip syncing, JYP belts out his songs live. As a state of the art dance machine, his choreography inspired the K-pop movement to soar to new heights, and we can credit his career as one that helped shape the world of modern Korean music. When it comes to JYP—whether on an album, on the stage, performing on your TV or in business—he will leave an indelible impression.

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him at Madison Square Garden, where he performed this medley remix of his greatest hits. Even though this performance was short lived, it created waves of screams and shouts from the crowd. Of course, it brought me to tears because “Nal Ddeoh Najima” will always be my favorite song ever.

JYP Remix Medley MSG 2006

2008 US concert tour

Here is a small, but delicious serving of JYP’s entrance to his 2008 US concert tour. Even if you weren’t there to witness an entrance like this, you can easily tell how epic this concert series was. I could not believe what I saw that night: the man can sing and dance without ever taking a break. If you want to attend a rigorous dance and song camp, this is clearly the guy to go to… being the inexhaustible performer he is, it only makes sense that he’s such a successful producer. I count myself among the lucky to have seen him headline in NYC.

English sensation

This is an earlier performance that underscores why JYP will always be a superstar. Here, he sings the song “Come to Me” by Patti Austin and James Ingram. What is so remarkable about this performance is his that he performed in English before any other Korean artist attempted a crossover. His perfect pitch and diction is extraordinary. Is there anything—and any language—this man can’t conquer?

Fun Version of “Elevator”

“Elevator” features the quintessential JYP jazz vibe, but in this version, JYP also blended in a Middle Eastern influence. Fans would be happy to hear his classics over and over, but JYP is constantly serving up the best slices for his audience by remixing his classics. When you think about it, it only makes sense for a producer to keep a constant upkeep on his own body of work; it almost feels like it would be compulsory to want to constantly put your best work out there, and that is certainly the case with JYP.