LOS ANGELES, CA–
“…One of the names that I was surprised to see on the lineup was eaJ, or Jae Park. The Argentine-American musician had performed at Head in the Clouds in 2021– yet, in 2022, he faced a multitude of scandals that affected his public image. Aside from his personal life, however, I was glad to hear that he was performing at the festival because he always gives great performances– and this year he lived up to that expectation.
Originally born in Argentina, Jae Park, p/k/a “eaJ”, moved to Cerritos, CA as a child. While he was attending California State University, Long Beach, he took a leave of absence to compete as a singer-guitarist in the inaugural season of K-pop Star. Even though he did not place, finishing sixth, JYPE offered him a contract at the end of the show to join the company as a trainee for an upcoming band, Day6, which debuted in 2017. Park stayed with the band until 2021 and has been releasing solo music since 2020.
Park has been releasing solo music since 2020 on SoundCloud, but he didn’t officially debut as a soloist until April of this year. The fact that eaJ performed at Head in the Clouds 2021 without an officially released single speaks volumes about his skills as a performer and his fan base. He returned to the 88rising Stage in a 35-minute set, showcasing his talents and gratitude for his fans. Despite feeling unwell, eaJ put on a show– teasing unreleased tracks from his upcoming album and performing “Car Crash,” his debut single.
One thing that I noticed about eaJ’s set was how grateful he was to be performing. After every song, he thanked the crowd for being present at his performance and for supporting him through his highs and lows. He also expressed his appreciation to be on the same stage as huge performers, like Rich Brian or Jackson Wang. He was not afraid to share his vulnerability to the audience, whether it be in the messages in his music or through his interactions with the crowd, which I truly admire. Being in the public eye, with millions of fans watching your every move, is not easy– and it takes courage to continue to be authentic and honest even after facing hardships and scandals.
Jae Park’s performance truly came from his heart. He came into day two with something to prove, and whatever that was, he definitely achieved his goal…”
Follow eaJ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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