BAZAAR STAR : The Cosmic Interview #JAY#제이
“In fact,” “Actually,” “In reality”—these were the phrases Jay returned to throughout our conversation. “I often find myself wondering: Are the prejudices I hold, or the things people commonly accept as truth, actually correct? I don’t want to take anything at face value.” Jay is a seeker of truth, driven to understand the world through firsthand experience. “I suppose I have a bit of a mania for self-improvement. I want to be someone who fully grasps everything I love while I’m still young. So, whenever there’s a gap in my schedule, I fill it with learning. I play golf and tennis, study languages, and dive into specialized fields. If I’m interested in watches, I’ll study horology; if I’m into photography, I’ll read up on technical manuals. I take instrument lessons, too. My interests share a common thread: they have high barriers to entry and no visible end. I think I’m drawn to things that make me feel like a fool every day despite constant study, rather than things that are easily mastered. That’s why I read philosophy. It’s incredibly difficult, but I can feel myself improving little by little. A recent favorite was Unwavering Mind.” The book’s subtitle—Attitudes to Support Life Learned from 26 Representative Philosophers—offers a clear glimpse into what Jay truly craves.
Ultimately, these efforts stem from the pure-hearted desire of a twenty-four-year-old to find happiness. Jay is currently in the process of defining what that means for him. “I think most people don’t really know what specific circumstances truly make them happy. I’m one of them. My life right now is about discovering what a happy life looks like by achieving the things I’m curious about, one by one. My obsession with self-improvement follows that same logic. If I remain an empty vessel, making a fortune wouldn't mean anything. I believe that if I grow into a 'complete' person whom I can truly respect, I’ll eventually reach my version of happiness. It’s a choice based almost entirely on inference.”
Jay’s struggle will continue. For how long? Until he succeeds—with an unyielding heart. “I’m ambitious and driven by nature. I think that’s a good thing; life loses its vitality without desire (laughs). In reality, while others might try ten things and stick with five, I try two hundred and stick with ten. I attempt a lot and I discard a lot. Numbers don't lie. Jay will never understand the folly of those who avoid challenges because they find the sensation of failure uncomfortable. He has no fear of failing. In fact, he says he doesn't even know what failure is supposed to be in the first place.
“If you define something as a failure, you might feel annoyed, depressed, or even guilty. But even those emotions are a waste of time—they represent a loss of momentum toward your goal. Rather than wasting time being overly formal, overthinking every detail, or calculating the cost-benefit, I believe it’s wiser to simply try. If you fail, fail quickly, move on, and step forward. I’ve always despised the words ‘failure’ or ‘losing.’ In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever failed or lost in my life—and I never will. Anyone who has truly pondered the definition of failure would agree. To me, there are only two possible answers: you either succeed or you learn. If I realize ‘this isn't the way,’ then I’ve grown, and I can’t help but look forward to the next step. Ultimately, I believe the most important thing is drive.”
Jay’s drive is inherently the drive of ENHYPEN. “I’ve been watching a lot of F1 lately. It might look like the racer is the only one performing, but behind the scenes, an immense collective effort is required to produce that result. We are the same. While the six of us are the ones radiating light in the spotlight, it takes a staggering amount of manpower and time to make that possible.” For Jay, ENHYPEN is a team sport—and a democratic one at that. As one of the group’s eldest members, he speaks of this as a given. “It’s extremely rare for one person to dictate or lead. That would be an individual opinion, not a collective one. Whenever a decision needs to be made, we start with a brainstorming session. We listen to every voice and derive a unified conclusion. Honestly, other teams might view this as inefficient. But I believe true power emerges when we put our heads together and say, ‘This is the consensus of ENHYPEN,’ rather than just individuals speaking up. I’m not just Jay; I’m Jay of ENHYPEN. Our prerequisite is that every decision is approached not from the perspective of ‘I,’ but as a member of this collective. I’m fortunate to be part of such a team—where shapes of all kinds, crooked, angled, or sharp, are all looking truthfully toward the same horizon.”
At twenty-four, Jongseong Park is in the bloom of youth; yet as Jay of ENHYPEN, he is an artist in his prime, navigating his sixth year since debut. This duality carries a profound sense of responsibility. “I’m still very young. I’m aware that even as I speak with such conviction, it is ultimately just me being firm in my own opinions. There is so much I have yet to experience, and truthfully, I’ve rarely been tested by truly harsh environments in my personal life. But it’s different for ENHYPEN. I can never go anywhere and say, ‘I’m still young, it’s okay to make mistakes, I’m still learning.’ To do so would be a dereliction of duty.”
What’s intriguing is that Jay’s sense of responsibility never remains at an abstract level. An idol who provides comfort and joy simply by existing—Jay isn't satisfied with merely occupying that space. He wants something “real.” “ENGENE will always provide us with infinite support. To be loved by fans is to function as their emotional pillar and ‘idol,’ in the truest sense of the word. But for me, what truly matters is the tangible impact I have on them. What percentage of them were actually happy today? Did their connection with me help them navigate even a small part of their lives or help them find their direction? In my profession, I believe the most important element is 100% sincerity. We are in the business of human connection; no one is foolish enough to be swayed by mere profit or cold calculation. Sincerity is bound to be felt, and I believe it is the only thing that can produce a healthy, lasting outcome. Isn't that what a truly fulfilled relationship between fan and artist looks like?” While he seems to chase objective facts—habitually leaning on phrases like “in fact,” “actually,” and “in reality”—a closer look at Jay’s words reveals a different truth: in many ways, Jay is a profound idealist. Among all the idols I have ever encountered, I have never seen one emphasize sincerity with such raw intensity.
“Even if I were to become someone like Michael Jackson, I wouldn’t be able to change the entire world. If the world is a clock, I am merely one small cog within it. The primary reason I strive for success is to exert a positive influence. I want to become someone who can help others without having to wring myself dry or lose my sense of self.”
Jay’s relentless pursuit of understanding the world is, in the end, his most profound way of loving it.
BAZAAR Star: The Cosmic #JAY#제이
사실상, 사실은, 실제로... 제이가 대화 내내 자주 쓰던 표현이다. "그런 생각을 하곤 해요 지금 내가 갖고 있는 편견이나 고정관념, 사람들이 통상적으로 사실이라고 믿고 있는 것 들. 이게 진짜 맞는 걸까? 어느 하나 단순하게 넘어가고 싶지 않아요." 제이는 진리를 탐구 하는 자다. 직접 보고 듣고 느껴서 세상을 이해하고 싶다." 애초에 자기 계발에 살짝 광기 가 있달까요. 한 살이라도 더 어릴 때 제가 좋아하는 모든 것들을 완벽하게 이해하는 사람 이 되고 싶어요. 그래서 시간 날 때마다 무언가 배우는 일로 스케줄을 꽉꽉 채우죠 운동 같은 경우는 골프와 테니스를 자주 하고요: 언어나 관심 있는 분야의 전문 지식도 배워요 시계를 좋아하면 시계사를 배우고 사진에 꽃히면 사진 기술에 관한 책을 읽는 식이죠. 악기 레슨도 받고요. 제 관심사엔 한 가지 공통점이 있는데 진입 장벽이 높고 끝이 잘안 보 인다는 거거든요. 저라는 사람이 그런 걸 좋아하는 것 같아요. 쉽게 끝나는 것 말고 매일 같이 공부하는데도 매일같이 저를 바보로 만들어줄 수 있는 것들요. 철학서를 읽는 것도 그런 이유예요. 너무 어렵지만 읽다 보니까 조금씩 늘더라고요. 최근에 가장 좋았던 책은 <물러서지 않는 마음>이었어요." '26명의 대표 철학자에게 배우는 삶을 지탱하는 태도' 라는 이 책의 부제만 봐도 제이가 갈구하는 것의 정체를 짐작할 수 있다.
결국 이 모든 노력은 행복해지고 싶은 스물네 살 청년의 순수한 마음에서 비롯되었다. 지금 제이는 자신만의 행복을 찾아가는 과정에 있다. "대부분의 사람들은 자신이 어떤 상황 에서 행복한지 잘 모르는 것 같아요. 저 또한 그런 사람 중 한 명이고요 어떤 게 행복한 삶인지 모르는 상태에서 궁금한 것들을 하나하나 이루어 나가는 게 현재 저의 삶인 것 같아요. 이를테면 자기 계발에 집착하는 것도 그런 맥락이에요. 제가 깡통 같은 사람으로 아무리 큰돈을 벌어봤자 별의미가 없을 것 같거든요. 스스로 인정할 수 있을 만큼 완성된 사람으로 성장하면 결과적으로 내 행복에 도달할 수 있지 않을까. 뭐, 거의 추론에 가까운 선택이에요."
제이의 분투는 계속될 것이다. 언제까지? 될 때까지다. 물러서지 않는 마음으로. "욕심도 많고 야망도 많은 성격이에요 그런데 전 그게 좋다고 생각해요. 무욕적으로 살면 삶의 생 기가 사라질 것 같아요.(웃음) 사실 다른 사람들이 10개 도전해서 5개 정도 유지할 때 저 는 200개 도전해서 한 10개 유지하는 거예요. 굉장히 많은 걸 시도해보고 많은 걸 포기하는 거죠. 숫자는 거짓말 안 하니까요" 그 실패의 감각이 불편해서 도전을 피하는 자들의 어리석음을 제이는 영원히 이해하지 못할 거다. 그는 실패에 대한 두려움이 없다. 아니, 애초에 무엇이 실패인지도 모른다고 했다.
"실패했다고 생각하면 짜증나고 우울하고 어쩌면 죄책감도 들 수 있겠죠 그런데 그것 조차도 시간 낭비예요. 목표에 대한 손실이 생기는 거니까요. 쓸데없이 각 잡고 하나하나 재 고 수지타산 헤아릴 시간에 한 번이라도 더 시도하고, 실패하면 빨리 넘겨버리고, 다음 단계로 나가는 게 현명하다고 봐요 애초에 실패 혹은 진다는 말을 굉장히 싫어하고요. 살면서 실패하고 진 적은 한 번도 없다고 생각해요. 앞으로도 없을 거고요. 실패의 기준이 뭔 지 한 번이라도 깊이 고민해본 사람이라면 다들 공감할 거예요. 저는 성공하거나 그게 아니면 배우는 것 두 가지 답안지밖에 없다고 생각해요. '이렇게 하면 안 되는구나' 느끼고 한 단계 성장한 거니까 그 다음이 기대가 될 수밖에 없어요. 결국 가장 중요한 건 추진력 같아요."
ᯓ★ 260710 — Arrival to Korea ✈️
#CHOISAN#WOOYOUNG#우영#산#최산
The reporter wished San a happy birthday and asked if there’s anything special today, and that shouldn’t there be a birthday party and all but San said he has a schedule 😽
Apparently he was also wearing the same shirt as in the pic Wooyoung posted on his Instagram story. I wonder if they celebrated it together already 🥰
ENHA AS A FOOTBALL TEAM ACCORDING TO NI-KI 😭😭😭
💬: if you had to create a football team with enhypen members ?
🐥: a representative football team right?
💬: who would be the coach?
🐥: the coach would be jake hyung he looks good standing there with his arms crossed
💬: who would be the goalkeeper?
🐥: sunghoon hyung he’d punch the ball away really well
💬: who would be the striker?
🐥: i’’d be the striker. its me, it’s me
🐈🐈⬛🦮🐧🦊🐥: 😂😂😂😂😂😂
💬: who would be the top scorer?
🐥: i’d also be the top scorer 🙂↕️hat trick
💬: who woild be the referee
🐥: the referee would be jay, jay hyung as the referee would be the most neutral
💬: who would be the most enthusiastic fan in the stands?
🐥: ENGENEs