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.