From people in your hometown to strangers all across the world, you never know who you get to reach with your art. For Justin Park, his music was chanced upon by BTS' Jungkook. 

Last December, the global pop star shared Justin's 'On The Low' on Instagram and sent millions of people his way, leading to the 2018 track trending and topping Korean music charts. 

"I mean anyone can imagine what my reaction was, but I’m telling you it was FAR more intense than what you think. I literally cried. I laugh, cried if that makes sense hahaha," Justin shared with Bandwagon. "I literally couldn’t contain myself, so I just stayed up all night working on my socials making sure that everyone knew that this just happened because I was so damn proud."

Thank you guys so much… we’ve worked REALLY REALLY hard for this. Thank you 😭😩

— Justin Park (@JustinParkMusic) December 16, 2021

Said to be the result of years of hard work, Justin doesn't take the recognition for granted, wanting to show his new listeners that he's an artist worth sticking around for. 

"Most days I feel as I am not allowed to make a mistake, and sometimes that gets to my head. But the more I do this the stronger I become, and the more I look forward to the future. There is so much to look forward to/ Please stay tuned, and I want to say I love and appreciate my fans to the death of me. Y’all are my lifeline," said the singer. 

Justin most recently released his most sonically standout single yet 'Mi Vida', which serves as a precursor to his highly anticipated sophomore album I Can See The Stars From Here. 

Ahead of the release of his forthcoming record, Bandwagon caught up with Justin Park to talk about 'Mi Vida', his growth as an artist and waking up at 4 AM to Jungkook sharing 'On The Low' on Instagram. 

Hi Justin! What have you been busy with lately?

Hi! Thanks for having me. Since the bulk of the album is done, I've been sort of being as adventurous and creative as I can with my time. I make sure to have as many writing sessions a week as possible, and I try to spend time with my loved ones.

I've come to find that true happiness and peace is found through a life of genuinity, hence me chasing my dreams of being a singer, and an abundance of love and smiles with friends, family, and even strangers.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Justin Park 🤷🏻‍♂️ (@justinparkofficial)

Congratulations on the release of ‘Mi Vida’! Could you walk us through what the song is about?

'Mi Vida' is a very straightforward song about romance. The main character is a casanova Romeo of some sort and is on a mission to have to be with this girl no matter what. He finds himself head over heels in love with this beautiful Latina who he had seen for the first time.

The song describes the sexual tension between the two, and their moment of romance on that fateful night. In love, there is no distance, and no limit too great to overcome. 

How do you feel ‘Mi Vida’ stands out compared to the rest of your discography?

'Mi Vida' is a song that I can’t even try to compare with the rest of my projects because it is simply so different, and some would say “out there”.

If I were to describe the sound of “Mi Vida' I think I would say that it calls on some nostalgic sounds from 2000s R&B. But in combination with its fresh lyrics, and Spanish lingo I think the 2000s R&B vibe and more modern style of writing make this a beautiful and engaging song. 

‘On The Low’ recently trended because of BTS’ Jungkook. How did you react when you saw he shared your song on his Instagram?

I mean anyone can imagine what my reaction was, but I’m telling you it was FAR more intense than what you think. I literally cried. I laugh, cried. If that makes sense hahaha?

I’ve witnessed Jung Kooks power… @bts_bighit and BTS ARMY. We understand 🙏🏻😭😂♥️

— Justin Park (@JustinParkMusic) December 16, 2021

I tried to call a bunch of people to no response because it was four in the morning. I literally couldn’t contain myself, so I just stayed up all night working on my socials making sure that everyone knew that this just happened because I was so damn proud. 

You started your music career by sharing covers of other R&B tracks on YouTube and now, you’ve toured all over North America and have reached millions of people across the world with your music. How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist and as a person since the start of your journey? 

I think more important than anything, through music I have grown as a person. Believe it or not, the crazy schedules, and demanding work times have made me a much better-rounded person. Whatever I lacked coming into this profession, I feel like I’ve filled out and learned how to be better at just through actively working on it.

Most days I feel as I am not allowed to make a mistake, and sometimes that gets to my head. But the more I do this the stronger I become, and the more I look forward to the future. 

What are some goals and dreams you have for yourself and your music? Where do you hope to be in the next five years?

I hope for my music to be recognized internationally, and hopefully one day I can become someone who is viewed as a hero. I want to be a positive force for the world, and ultimately I want to make people laugh and smile.

What else do you have planned for 2022?

For 2022, I have planned the releases of a full-length album I Can See The Stars From Here that the fans have been anticipating for a while! I'm hoping that that comes out sometime mid or late March.

5A label and I are also planning the releases of a bunch of singles that sound like songs you have never heard before, I'm telling you. There is so much to look forward to, for you music lovers out there! Please stay tuned, and I want to say I love and appreciate my fans to the death of me. Y’all are my lifeline.

Get ready for Justin Park's upcoming album with 'Mi Vida' here.