Jae Park

Park Jae-hyung is an American singer-songwriter and the former lead guitarist of the South Korean pop rock band Day6. Born in Buenos Aires to Korean parents and raised in California, he gained early recognition as a contestant on the first season of K-pop Star before signing with JYP Entertainment. He debuted with the group in September 2015 and remained a core creative force until his departure in December 2021.

Following his exit from the agency, Park launched a solo career under the moniker eaJ. His independent work focuses on indie folk and R&B, characterized by acoustic guitar arrangements and deeply personal lyrics about mental health struggles. He has released multiple EPs including Laughing in Insomnia and continues to collaborate with international artists while maintaining a strong presence as a mental health advocate. [edit]

Park was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his father worked in diplomacy or business before the family relocated to the United States when he was young. He grew up in Cerritos, California, in a household that valued discipline but initially discouraged a music career due to fears of instability in the arts. Despite this pressure, Park began playing the guitar at age seven after being inspired by his older brother's collection. He attended local high schools in Southern California where he joined music clubs and started writing original songs using basic recording equipment.

His musical style began to form during these years, blending influences from The Beatles, Coldplay, and Korean ballad singers. Before his professional debut, Park spent time performing at local cafes and open mic nights in Los Angeles. These early gigs helped him refine a performance style that combined technical guitar proficiency with emotive vocals. In 2012, he auditioned for the first season of K-pop Star, a major talent show produced by S.M. Entertainment and KBS. Although he finished in sixth place, his unique voice and guitar skills caught the attention of industry executives, leading to a contract with JYP Entertainment. [edit]

Park officially debuted as the lead guitarist and vocalist of Day6 on September 7, 2015, with the album The Day. Unlike many K-pop acts that rely heavily on choreography, Day6 focused on live instrumentation, allowing Park to showcase his songwriting and instrumental abilities. He became central to the group's creative direction, co-writing and composing major hits such as "I Think I Love You" and "You Were Beautiful." His contributions earned him the Best Songwriter award at the Korean Music Awards in 2020 for his work on the track "You Were Beautiful."

In 2020, Park shifted focus toward his solo project under the name eaJ. He released the track "Feel Myself" independently on YouTube and SoundCloud, marking a transition to a more intimate indie-folk sound. This move allowed him to explore themes of anxiety and depression more directly than in his group work. He also co-hosted the podcast How Did I Get Here?, discussing industry struggles and mental health openly. In December 2021, Park announced his departure from Day6 and JYP Entertainment to pursue a solo career free from idol training constraints.

Since going independent, Park has released the EPs Laughing in Insomnia and Medicated Insomnia in 2023. He has collaborated with Western artists like Keshi and DPR Live, expanding his reach beyond the K-pop sphere. In 2023, he won Indie Artist of the Year at the Global Indie Music Awards. By 2026, he remains active in releasing new music, touring internationally, and continuing his advocacy work through the From Friends project. [edit]

Park is portrayed as an authentic and introspective artist who prioritizes creative integrity over commercial trends. Media outlets often describe him as a "songwriter's idol" who brings vulnerability to the K-pop landscape. His public persona is defined by his candid discussions about mental health, breaking down stigmas prevalent in the Asian community. On social media, he shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process and maintains a direct, honest connection with his audience. His fashion sense leans towards comfortable streetwear mixed with vintage elements, reflecting his laid-back yet artistic personality. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. He is not featured on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list. Park's fanbase is divided between his time with Day6 and his current solo era. While there is no official name for his solo fans, they are often referred to as "eaJ's Friends" or simply "eaJ fans." The fanbase is known for highly organized streaming parties to boost chart positions and charity drives in his name. Fans have created fan art, translation projects, and funded billboards in Seoul and Los Angeles for his birthdays. Park engages back with his audience by sharing his creative journey and discussing mental health openly, fostering a community built on mutual support and authenticity. [edit]

Park is fluent in both English and Korean, often switching between languages within his songs to express nuanced emotions. He owns a pet dog named Moon which he frequently features in his social media vlogs. During a live broadcast, he once accidentally broke a guitar string mid-performance but improvised a new melody on the spot that quickly became a fan favorite. He is a skilled pianist in addition to his primary instrument, the guitar. Park is known for his love of coffee and has been photographed visiting specialty coffee shops in various cities around the world. His signature stage style mixes casual streetwear with vintage aesthetics, often featuring oversized hoodies and flannel shirts. [edit]

Park was born to Korean parents who initially moved to Argentina for his father's work before settling in the United States. He has an older brother whose music collection inspired Park to start playing the guitar at age seven. The family lived in a supportive but strict environment that initially pushed against his musical ambitions. Park maintains a close relationship with his family, though he keeps their details largely private to protect their privacy. He currently resides in Los Angeles, where he manages his independent career and mental health initiatives. [edit]

Young K, Junhyeok, Seori, Keshi, DPR Live[edit]

Park has maintained a notably private personal life throughout his career. There are no confirmed public relationships, marriages, or engagements reported as of 2026. He has occasionally alluded to past heartbreaks in his songwriting but has never publicly named a partner. In interviews, he has stated that he prioritizes his mental health and solo career over dating, especially following his departure from the idol system. He remains single and focuses on his music and advocacy work. [edit]

iFANN Editorial Team analysis of earnings, ventures and assets points to roughly $1.5 million as of 2026. Park's wealth stems from a diverse mix of income sources including royalties from Day6's extensive discography, solo streaming revenue on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, merchandise sales from the eaJ brand, and fees from live performances. He also earns from podcast sponsorships and brand partnerships related to his mental health advocacy.

Following his departure from JYP Entertainment, Park transitioned from a salaried idol model to an independent artist structure. This shift has allowed him to retain a larger share of his creative output profits. He owns real estate in Los Angeles and maintains a diversified investment portfolio that includes tech startups and music publishing rights. His financial trajectory has shown steady growth since 2022, driven by the success of his solo EPs and his growing reputation as a global indie artist. [edit]

Park has received individual recognition for his songwriting and solo efforts. He won the Best Songwriter award at the Korean Music Awards in 2020 for his contribution to Day6. In 2023, he was honored with Indie Artist of the Year at the Global Indie Music Awards for his solo EP Laughing in Insomnia. He also received the Mental Health Champion award from NAMI Korea in 2024 for his advocacy work. [edit]