J.Y. Park Tapped as Co-Chair for Presidential Committee on Cultural Exchange

J.Y. Park, the founder and chief producer of JYP Entertainment, has been appointed as a co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, set to launch this month. He will serve alongside Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young.

Kang Hoon-sik, chief secretary at the presidential office, announced on September 9th that the committee will operate as part of the administration's initiative to establish "five major cultural powerhouses." This direct advisory body to the President aims to bolster global cultural exchange and broaden the reach of Korean popular culture.

Reflecting on his appointment, J.Y. Park shared his initial hesitation on social media. "As someone in the entertainment industry, taking on a government role felt daunting in many ways. However, K-pop is currently facing an extraordinary opportunity, and I felt we must seize it. That's why I accepted," he stated.

He reminisced about pivotal career moments, including his trip to the U.S. in 2003 to promote his artists and the Wonder Girls' historic entry into the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009. Park emphasized that his long-standing dream has been to see K-pop embraced worldwide.

Park detailed his objectives for the committee: "From my experience in the field, I've often felt that institutional support can make a significant difference. I want to clearly organize these needs and push for practical measures that offer genuine help. I will strive to create more opportunities for younger artists and transform K-pop into a platform for global understanding and connection, extending beyond just promoting Korean culture."

He concluded by expressing his gratitude: "This is a responsibility I've taken on after much deliberation, and I sincerely ask for your advice and support. I am also deeply grateful to Minister Choi Hwi-young for agreeing to co-chair this role with me, which gave me the courage to step forward."

Chief secretary Kang highlighted Park's qualifications, stating, "As one of Korea's most representative artists, he has been dedicated to advancing K-pop globally. We believe he will contribute to fostering a Korea where the world enjoys our popular culture while we, in turn, embrace diverse foreign cultures."

J.Y. Park, also known as Park Jin-young, debuted as a solo artist in 1994 before founding JYP Entertainment in 2001. As a producer, he has been instrumental in the success of numerous K-pop groups including Wonder Girls, 2PM, TWICE, and Stray Kids. His contributions extend beyond artist management to actively promoting the K-pop industry on a global scale.