Justin Park Interview:
At the Dallas stop of the Gone Rogue tour, Rachel talked to LA native Justin Park about his “years in development” and how they have come to fruition, including feats like his first tour and debut album occurring in December of last year. The easy-going, charming young man opened up about different factors that influence him, his approach to music, and becoming a successful musician in an industry notorious for oppressing mainstream success for Asian-Americans until this year.
Rachel: So, Justin, to start off with the interview: for someone who doesn’t know a lot about you or your work, how would you describe yourself, and can you introduce yourself to our audience?
Justin: Okay – for those of you who don’t know who I am, me as a person: I’m an energetic, optimistic, all-loving, all-kind type of person; I try to portray that in my music as well. I’m also an R&B artist from LA, born and raised, you already know — and we’ve been doing this music thing with 5A Label for about four and a half years now. I’ve been in development for that whole time. And, you know, for me to introduce myself shortly: I’m a force to be reckoned with in the future in the music industry.
Rachel: And he’s an IG model *laughs*
Justin: *laughs* Not so much an IG model, but just somebody who enjoys fashion and things that are appealing to the eye. And if you haven’t listened to Places Like Home, which is my new album that just came out with heavy, heavy co-signs, go ahead and check that out on every platform, any streaming platform —- YouTube as well; we’re gonna have music videos out, so go ahead and to check that out.
Rachel: What got you into music in the first place?
Justin: Um, I think my whole life, I’ve always been into music and just enjoyed dancing and entertaining and make people laugh. Like, this is how I see myself and that’s what I enjoy doing. And even as a kid, I have a lot of photos in front of the piano, even though I don’t know how to play too well. My father had always been an influence on me, and he’s always played the piano around the house. Though I haven’t spent too much time with him in my life, he was always a huge driving force, in terms of that. And in high school, all of my best friends definitely pushed me to, you know, sing and just be more outward and more extroverted with my abilities, my talents, [and my] visions that I have for life; they really helped push me to do these things. Like, I remember in high school, I did my first performance in front of maybe a crowd of 1000 people at school for the talent show, and I ended up getting first place. From that moment on, I kind of had the bug for just performing and being on the stage and putting together this, this…how do I say, like a…I don’t know, just putting together a show just making people captivated or making people wanted to be captivated by music and just performance, dance, whatever it is.
Rachel: Okay, we’re gonna start with the hard-hitting questions right off the bat: you were part of the campaign #IAMASIANAMERICAN. Do you mind telling viewers about that? And why it was so important for you to be part of that campaign?
Justin: Man, this was a long time ago. Maybe like, two, three years back, like a year into my development. But yeah, I actually had an interview with them, too. I think that was on Fox? Or something, I forgot, but that was actually really cool. Because, I mean, I am an Asian American; I’m a Korean person who’s lived in LA my whole life. For the longest time, you know, we’ve had our own set of setbacks and oppression in our own ways…stereotypes that people just have of us, and I really feel like it’s time for us to break out of that. I really want people to see that we’re more than just what people have thought it was for the past 30, 40 years. And, as you can see, with a lot of artists transitioning into the ‘states right now, there’s more than just black and white, black and yellow, black and whatever color you are. It’s really about music. And for me, that’s what I’m all about. And, you know, people from LA, there’s a certain personality, certain persona that you embody. I really feel like I embody that correctly, because I’m a Lakers fan, I’m from LA, I’m a Dodgers fan; I tell people [to] check my lingo, [and] you [would] already know where I’m from. So that’s how it is…yeah, that’s it. I just want to speak through love, through passion, through the music, and just diversify this earth, because I really feel like there’s a lot of things we can learn by culturing ourselves, and just being open to learning new things, placing ourselves in new dynamics. That’s what I’m all about.
Rachel: Okay. Some media outlets have dubbed this year is kind of like “the Asian Invasion” in media. Do you mind talking more about that? What’s your thoughts, and how Asian Americans artists [and] actors from Asia are being able to be more successful in the mainstream?
Justin: For me, personally, I feel like Asians have always been in good business with, you know, Caucasians, black people, Mexicans, Hispanics, whoever it may be; but I feel like for us to be in the media, and for us to say, or for anyone to really say, that Asian people are cool, especially in America — I don’t know about any other countries, but in America, you know, there’s a stereotype the Asians are this-and-this or this-and-that.
Rachel: The nerdy type, the quiet one…
Justin: Yeah, whatever it might be. I feel like yeah, that can be true, but that can also be true for any other race or ethnicity. And for us, for anybody to say that Asian people are certain thing, it’s not fair. Because for us to say the Caucasian people are certain thing wouldn’t be accepted as easily. But for Asian people, that’s just how the view is. And for us, I really feel like we should be trying to break out of that. And, you know, we’ve done a lot of great things in partnership with Caucasians and whoever it is in the business who have believed in us, like the movie, Searching, with John Cho. That was an amazing movie, and for us to portray that we’re able to be just as cool in the media, is an amazing message. And I think that we’re doing a great thing this year, definitely “Asian Invasion” or whatever you call it; but yeah, we’re in it right now. And a lot of the people that you see on TV, like the Kinjaz from World of dance, almost all of them are Asian.
Rachel: They’re really killing it.
Justin: Right. But more than that, I really feel like it’s a saying that, “Look, we’re just like y’all.” And if you look at the groups of people that we hang out with, it’s actually multicultural life. And that’s just how it is like growing up in LA, that’s how it is. We’re mixing pot of cultures and people, and I really feel like the rest of the world should be able to see that. Even with 88rising, or Jay Parker, [or] whoever it is that’s doing this whole music thing, I feel like I should congratulate them, because for any other culture, especially in black culture, it is a very strong thing for brothers to stay together, brothers or sisters to stay together, and for us, too: I feel like, more than seeing us as Korean or Chinese or whatever it is, I think we should all just unite as Asians and congratulate one another in our successes. I think this year, we’ve been able to do that successfully.
Rachel: Okay. Moving on to more light-hearted questions: do you have any funny stories or favorite moments of your career so far?
Justin: Well honestly, man, this whole music thing has been really crazy, and there’s a lot of moments that I have lived through. For me to pinpoint just one thing is kind of impossible, but I feel like anytime we travel, like this tour, or anytime we level up and do something different, something we’ve never done before, I really feel as if that’s amazing.
*indistinct background music*
Rachel: We’ll edit that out later {Note: I never did}
Justin: It’s all good. But yeah, I’m just really thankful for anything God has shot my way, because in every moment where I felt as if I have to conquer something, we’ve been able to do that, and we always win in any situation. [For example:] just traveling, and, even though it’s tiring, like music camps, where we sell a song to an artist or whatever, I feel like any part of this work that helps us win is a moment for me, so I appreciate all of that already.
Rachel: Alrighty. What’s on your playlist right now?
Justin: Right now? Man… like Michael Jackson, definitely all the Michael Jackson, essentially. Chris Brown is always on my playlist. Maybe some Tory Lanez, Bryson Tiller, Tupac, Biggie, Dead Prez… There’s a lot of people — Sheck Wes is definitely one.
Rachel: Oh man, he killed it at Astroworld!
Justin: Yeah, Astroworld! Lil Baby, all these new artists, XXXtentacion… yeah, a lot of artists.
Rachel: Alrighty, so do you have any special spots in LA that you would recommend?
Justin: Spots?
Rachel: Whether it’s like a shop or a park.
Justin: Well, Melrose/Fairfax is always lit. You can catch us up there sometimes, just looking for clothes. Food is always the best in K-Town or Hollywood. I love Thai food, so I’ll eat some Thai food or something like Korean BBQ. Shoutout to Ahgassi Gopchang — that’s one of the spots. Ddong Ggo Po Cha (똥꼬 포차) is a Korean place I like to drink at. I don’t know, any of the clubs in Hollywood are dope; Arena in K-Town has been popping off lately. Yeah. That’s about it. Oh, and downtown, too! We live in downtown, so downtown’s really cool.
Rachel: Have you ever felt that you needed to, like — you struggle balancing social media and taking time for yourself to decompress?
Justin: For me, I feel like I try to stay on social media only for recaps of certain things. Or I’ll just be on social media for what I need to do. A lot of times, it seems as if I’m on there a lot, but I’m not. I try to stay off social media; I’ll try to look and keep my eyes open to what’s around me, and, you know, I love nature, too, so every time I get to go outside, I really — you know, I like quiet places. Though I’m a really all-over-the-place kind of guy, and I have a lot of energy, most time I like to be just in silence, sometimes, by myself, maybe watching a video or something. But yeah, social media is just not that important to me in my life. I feel like I use it for its actual purpose, which is to share what’s going, and to look at other people’s lives to see what’s going on with them, and then put it away. You can’t be on there the whole time, because everyone else’s lives are not your life, so I try to stay off it as much as possible.
Rachel: What’s the difference for you between writing for someone else versus yourself?
Justin: Oh, for sure!
Rachel: Yeah, because you’ve written for several big artists overseas, in Korea.
Justin: Oh, well, that really depends on what the company wants. And that’s what I’ve started to learn. Because writing for myself, there’s a lot of moments or keywords that I use that maybe some other artists may not identify with, so if that’s the case, I have to change it to what their vision is. And this year, I’ve been really working with a lot of other writers, and I’ve been going in the way that I don’t always have to just write the way that I do; I’m able to transform that into what it needs to be, and that’s what music’s all about. I mean, for me to learn the styles and the personalities of the people, it’s kind of [the ability to] adapt myself into — that is something that I’ve been learning.
Rachel: Do you have a certain philosophy when it comes to your music, whether it’s the writing or producing?
Justin: Well, for writing, I feel like you should just be all the way you, and if there’s a message that you need to convey, I feel like saying it in the most personal — man, that’s kind of hard— saying in the most personal way— say something the way that you want to say, because there’s only one version of you, and that’s you. For me, in my writing, that’s especially inherent because no one else can write the way I do. And that’s just how it is. And definitely, in your music, have a core message or something that you’re trying to convey. [Remember to] try to switch it up; don’t always look at the one way that you’ve been doing something and say that that’s the only way. You got to adventure and really get out there and do different things. And I think that’s what music’s all about.
Rachel: Speaking of your music, do you want to talk more about Places Like Home?
Justin: So, first of all, the cover for Places Like Home is actually —- the van on the cover is my dad’s van that he’s had maybe the past 30 years. And, you know, there were times in my life where we lived in that van, so everything captured in that photo is very strong, and it’s a very deeply rooted message. When we took the photo, everything that I was wearing in the photo — like the chain, 5A [Label], all that stuff — is kind of supposed to indicate who I want to be as an artist in the future, so I look decked out; but then behind me is this old rickety van that is a part of my past, so I’m trying to say that you have to remember where your roots are; and for me, often times I felt like there wasn’t a place that I can call home, because I almost didn’t want to say where I lived or the situation that I was in at the time was even home-like. So, for me, I look towards other people who love me, other places where I felt safe to call home. So, Places Like Home is sort of along that kind of line, because people who have broken homes or whatever, you know, it’s hard for you to say that that’s where you live, or that that’s where you come from, so you look to other places where you can call home. So that’s what it is.
Rachel: Okay, so what are some favorite songs [that] you’ve written, whether it’s on Places Like Home or others, and why is it one of your favorites?
Justin: I really like “Lo-Fi” on the album. And if you listen to that, it has a very strong message. Very emotional song as well. “Dates in LA” is cool, because it’s one of my first singles to kind of put me on the map. And you know, a lot of people like “Dates in LA,” and I love that. Um, let’s see what else is there…
Rachel: “Nahimmastay?”
Justin: “Nahimistay” [is] cool. “Nahimmastay’s” a heartbreak song, so I don’t know if I like that one [so much] …sounds cool, though. “On the Low” is a catchy song that I love to just listen to in the car. and vibe to, so please check that out on Places Like Home.
Rachel: What about “XL Uber”?
Justin: “XL Uber” — oh, “XL Uber was cool” because I actually wrote that when I went to Philadelphia the first time! When I say “Man, we in the E man / Still I can’t believe that,” I’m saying “Man, I’m in the East Coast, and I can’t believe this because I’m doing this.” I’m doing all of this, riding around in an XL Uber, having my hotels paid for, having the venue pay for my shows and everything. I just felt as if I was doing something right; I was proving to everybody at home who didn’t believe me or believe in me in the beginning that I’m doing this, like, this is how it’s going to be all the time and better, so “XL Uber” means a lot to me.
Rachel: What are some of the hardest topics to write about or to sing about, for you?
Justin: I’d say humanitarian topics are always harder for me, but it’s not impossible. I’d say that that’s the hardest thing to write about, because you’re always thinking about what you’re trying to say, who you’re trying to say it to, if you’re offending anybody, or if what you’re trying to say make sense in the way that you want to say it, with the way you’re saying, or does that message resonate with a group of people. That’s what I’m all about, bettering other people’s lives, my life… bettering the world, the place that we live on this earth.
Rachel: Who or what are some of your biggest inspirations?
Justin: Michael Jackson is one of my biggest musical influences. Just like anyone else, I think he’s just so talented, and so he embodies what a performer or singer should be, even as a writer. I feel like he’s just so perfect. [Other inspirations are] just people who have a great message, people who stand for something. I really like Anthony Bourdain and what he did for the spreading of culture through food and through music and all these other outlets. [He makes me] feel like we can unite the people of the world. [I] love the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. What else is there…there’s a lot, I just can’t think about it [right now]. I read all the time, there is a lot of authors I just can’t think of right now off the top my head. Those couple of people obviously are very influential to me. Chris Brown, musically, too, he’s so talented and an amazing performer. I wish to be like
[all of]
them.
Rachel: On the flip side, what do you want people to get out of your music?
Justin: I definitely want people to catch the vibe in terms of my positive energy. In a lot of my songs, I don’t talk about anything really negative. Really, all I want to do spread love, and, more than anything, I want people who are like me, who come from a broken home or a harder background, I just want to let them know that anything that you put your mind to, is possible. Just place yourself in the right environment. Place yourself around people who are forward thinking, people who aren’t going to drag you down, people who are going to lift you up actually, and always keep dreaming, because, if you don’t dream, you’re not going to shoot —- I mean, if you shoot for the moon, or something like that, you’ll end up on a star or something, I don’t know. But just always keep your ambitions high, and for me, that’s just how it was. For the people around me, they’ve always helped me stoke the flames of my ambition, and I think that’s why I’m heading to where I’m going right now. And yeah, just — just keep dreaming.
Rachel: Okay, one last question before we start the speed round. Reading into some past interviews that you’ve done, you’ve talked about how when you were saying, “Oh, I’m going to do music.” The first day of college, you just like, “Yeah, it ain’t for me,” and your mom was a little bit hesitant at first.
Justin: Right.
Rachel: That seems to be the general narrative when Asian Americans go into—
Justin: Music
Rachel: Music [yeah] or being any type of creator. Do you have any advice for Asian-Americans interested in going into music [or other creative routes] but have reservations? Or they feel like they have some things holding them back?
Justin: Well, for me, I’m just say that, like, I never liked being at home, because, you know, nothing ever good really happened in the home, so I’d always be out with friends or doing some other stuff. I always found influence through my friends and just whatever we were doing. And yeah, I love my mom and listen to her all the time. But if, you know, it was never in my heart to listen to everything; I definitely don’t listen to what everyone has to say. And even if she tried to stop me from doing music [and] told me that “you need a plan B” or whatever, I feel like anybody who does become successful doesn’t really need a plan B, because if you know what you want to do with your plan A, you just go, smooth sailing. I mean, not smooth sailing, but just take off on this ship. And you can’t look back, because if you do, if you have a plan B, something to fall on, you’re not going to put everything that you have into this goal of yours. And for me, I do want to go to school eventually, but I just felt like at that time, it wasn’t the right thing to do. In that situation, where I was making music for the first time with a group of people, planning on putting all of that out and really wanting to be an artist, I felt a plan B wasn’t really necessary, because I knew that plan A would make it. The way that I was grinding then and now, I feel as if plan A’s the way to go.
So, for anybody who feels as if there’s something holding them back, whether it be financial issues, or if they don’t have the necessary tools to make music or put music out there, the thing is, nothing ever comes overnight. For me, it took four years to put out this album, which first started as an EP, and stuff is always changing, and you never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so always take every opportunity, [and] for me that’s definitely what it was: I did every show, I did every small interview, or whatever it was, that led up to me being here, and I think all of those steps were definitely necessary for whatever small success I have right now. And I think even in the future, I’m going to do the same thing, no matter how crazy the show and no matter how demanding it is, physically or mentally, I’m prepared. I’m ready to do it, because this is what I’ve been training for the past four years, and I feel like for me, I’m willing to make this my life. Music is my life: it is what I wake up to, it’s what I sleep to. So, you know, for anybody who wants to do music, just know that this isn’t going to be easy — it was never easy for me. And — dang, there’s so many things, there’s so many stories to tell, but just keeping a general, keeping a short: people will fall out; there will be days you can’t eat; there will be days when you don’t have money for your car. You [have to] look in the bottom of the seat for pennies and whatever to get you home. I’m saying that’s what I had to do, so if you got to take the metro, you got to walk or take a bike to the studio, dude, do it; because maybe the next year or two years later from that, you’ll make some money and get a car. It might be a 1985 broken down car, but if it gets you from point A to point B, then you got to do what you got to, bro, so yeah. Just don’t let anybody or anything stop you if you know that you are meant to do what you’re what you’re meant to do. Just do it, that’s it.
Rachel: Sounds great! Okay, so, ready for the Speed Round?
Justin: Mm-hmm.
Rachel: All right, if you had to splurge on something, what would you splurge on?
Justin: Uh…
Rachel: Speed Round! C’mon!
Justin: Uh, food or necklaces.
Rachel: Unexpected hobby of yours?
Justin: Cooking
Rachel: Favorite boba flavor?
Justin: Milk tea
Rachel: Favorite anime?
Justin: Naruto
Rachel: Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?
Justin: Yes
Rachel: And if you were a muffin, what muffin best represents you?
Justin: Blueberry
Rachel: Wow, Amber said the same thing. Thank you so much for having this interview with us!
Justin: Of course. Thank you KTRU for having me. Appreciate it. This is another episode of KTRU with Justin Park. I appreciate everybody who’s listening. Go ahead and peek the album Places Like Home, streaming all platforms. Love you guys. Hopefully I’ll see you in person next time. Deuces
