J.Y. Park Returns with New Single 'Happy Hour' Featuring Kwon Jin-ah

J.Y. Park makes a comeback to his musical roots with the release of his new single 'Happy Hour (퇴근길)' featuring Kwon Jin-ah.

On November 5, J.Y. Park released his latest single 'Happy Hour,' a warm country-pop track that he wrote and composed himself. This marks his first collaboration with solo artist Kwon Jin-ah.

The song captures the moment of putting on earphones and playing a personal playlist to unwind after a long day. The chorus, featuring the phrase "Good job," serves as a self-congratulatory message for enduring a tough day.

The music video portrays the realistic struggles of a character striving towards their goals, only to face repeated mistakes and setbacks. J.Y. Park appears as an employee of 'Fairy Company' with whimsical pink wings, adding humor with slapstick action and a cameo by KickFlip leader Gye Hoon. The video concludes with J.Y. Park's radiant smile, symbolizing the fulfillment of dreams amidst congratulations.

J.Y. Park appeared on MBC's talk show 'Radio Star' on the 5th, where he discussed his first venture into the country-folk genre. He mentioned, "I thought of a singer playing the guitar, and Kwon Jin-ah came to mind. I wanted to express the song through today's outfit." He described the song as a comforting anthem for those exhausted after work, encouraging listeners to say "Good job" to themselves. He also performed 'Happy Hour' with Kwon Jin-ah for the first time.

The episode, themed 'JYPick 읏짜!' featured special chemistry with guests Ahn So-hee, Boom, and Kwon Jin-ah. J.Y. Park shared anecdotes with Ahn So-hee, whom he described as a close friend since before her debut with Wonder Girls. The duo danced to Rain's 'Switch to Me (duet with JYP),' showcasing their dance skills. Boom expressed his admiration for J.Y. Park, leading to a lively exchange and laughter.

J.Y. Park also highlighted JYP Entertainment's achievement of being ranked third globally and first domestically in Time magazine's 'World's Best Sustainable Growth Companies 2025.' He emphasized the company's focus on environmental, social contributions, and gender equality. He also discussed the new headquarters in Godeok-dong, designed to give every employee a view from the window.

J.Y. Park accepted the role of chairman of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee, aiming to undertake initiatives for the K-pop industry that are beyond the scope of his company.

Following the release of his new single, J.Y. Park will hold a solo concert titled 'HAPPY HOUR' on December 13 and 14 at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall in Seoul.

Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr