BY JAYPARK.NET . PLEASE TAKE OUT WITH CREDIT.

(SOURCE) Yeonhap News  (TRANSLATION)  Misselly28@jaypark.net

Jaybum, “I missed Korea… I can memorize Korean scripts well.”

At the Hype Nation set, he let us know about his feelings and what he’s been up to.
 
“I really wanted to come to Korea. I’m practicing the script in English and Korean but I can memorize Korean script better.”
 
Recently, Yeonhap News met Jaybum (23), a previous member of 2PM twice, first at an office in Kangbook, Seoul and second in a recording studio in Kangnam. He was too skinny as his cheeks were no where to be seen and he had bruises, assuming from bboying, all over his elbows and knees.
 
This is the first time he had contact with Korean media since he left to US last year. He left for his home in Seattle last September when the words he wrote on his Myspace as a trainee became controversial. Last February, JYPE announced his permanent withdrawal in mentioning his “serious issues in personal life.” He arrived in Korea after nine months to film ‘Hype Nation’, a Korea-America collaboration dance movie, this time standing alone.
 
When we first met Jaybum, his parents, his younger brother and his bboying team AOM members were with him.
 
Jaybum, for whom could have been quite awkward and reluctant to meet the Korean press instead gave us a welcoming bow and said “I’m so happy to be in Korea. I really wanted to come.”
 
“I spent time bboying in America. I was so thankful to all the fans that came to the airport on my arrival. All the youtube videos of me singing and dancing were for fans.”
 
But when we asked ‘didn’t you have a hard time since you left Korea on bad terms’, he just smiled awkwardly and didn’t answer.
 
On terms of future plans, Jaybum said “I signed a contract with Ned Sherman, Digital Media Wire’s CEO and entertainment attorney, who has all authority over my international activities.” He added, “He will help me with my activities in the US as well. I’m so thankful for all he has done. But I haven’t thought about having a management in Korea yet.”
 
Jaybum’s parents were also with us, who said this was their first visit in 15 years. Jay has the face of his father and his mother’s frame. His father took care of each AOM member, mixing their bibimbap for them. His mother, who said Korea’s environment has gotten much cleaner, was surprised at all the fans who came to meet Jay at the airport.
 
One of AOM’s members said “After spending so many years with Jay, I have the Asian soul in my heart.” He seemed very excited about his stay in Korea.
 
A few days later, we met Jay again at a recording studio. He was recording for his featured part for an artist’s song. He finished the recording in one hour, with his unrusted singing and rapping skills. After the recording, he was inspired by his character in Hype Nation, Darkness.
 
This movie deals with the story of an Asian bboy crew who enters an international bboy battle held in Asia then succeeds in America. Jay plays the role of the leader of the korean bboy crew.
 
“I was script reading in the morning then practiced b-boying for four hours with Jang KyungHo, the leader of Gambler. I’m practicing with both English and Korean scripts but I can memorize the Korean one better. B-boying isn’t hard since it’s what I’ve always been doing but acting, its my first time so I need to put in a lot of effort.”
 
About his featuring in B.o.B’s Nothin On You, he said “It was such an honor and a great chance for me. Thanks so much to Korean fans for all the love.”
 
Jaybum, who started filming last month with American hiphop group B2K, Ra-nia and AOM, filmed the international b-boy battle scene, the highlight of the movie, for four days at a theatre in Seoul.
 
One entertainment staff, who watched the filming said “Compared to foreign b-boys, Jaybum’s dancing skills are extraordinary” and added “Jay’s dance skills seemed best even among AOM members.”
 
Jay is planning to stay in Korea for 3 months to film the movie. He has already finished recording 4 songs, including the OST of the movie in the US.
 
Among these, Teddy Riley, who was a producer for Michael Jackson, composed ‘Demon’ which will be used in the movie. It will be released as a single first in Korea and US.
 
Jaybum participated variously in the other three songs. He featured in ‘Fame’, a song by David Bowe that was remade by Snoop Dogg. He was also featured in ‘Addict’ by American R&B singer Brandon. In the last song, which has yet to be named, he sang along with Crazy Bone and American rapper T-Pain.
 
A staff of Hype Nation commented “We are planning to add two more songs and maybe release a debut album for Jay.”