Park Jin-young, better known as J.Y. Park, has been appointed to a newly created minister-level role, underscoring the South Korean government's recognition of K-pop as a central force in cultural diplomacy.
The presidential office announced Tuesday the launch of the Presidential Commission on Popular Culture Exchange. Park, 53, will serve as co-chair alongside Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young, Hauterrfly reported. The move reflects Seoul's efforts to leverage entertainment as a key pillar of soft power.
Marking the milestone, he uploaded a nostalgic Instagram photo of Wonder Girls—the group that made history in 2009 as the first K-pop act to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The image reflected not only his pride in past triumphs but also his eagerness to guide Korean music into an even bigger future.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president, called Park "a symbol of K-pop's globalization" and highlighted his pioneering role in opening doors for Korean music in the United States. KedGlobal reported that Kang also said, "This appointment is also a response to growing global curiosity about how the Korean government is supporting K-pop, particularly with projects such as KPop Demon Hunters gaining popularity."
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From Pop Star to Industry Mogul
Debuting as a solo artist in 1994 with tracks such as "Honey" and "She Was Pretty,"Park quickly became a household name. Three years later, he founded JYP Entertainment Corp., which went on to produce some of the most successful acts in the country.
Over nearly 30 years, he has been behind groups like god, Rain, Wonder Girls, 2PM, Twice, Itzy, Nmixx and Stray Kids - cementing his reputation as one of K-pop's most influential figures.
Park's Reflections
Following the government announcement, Park took to social media to share his mixed emotions. "Taking on a government position is daunting for someone in the entertainment industry, but I believe K-pop now faces a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we must seize, Park said, according to Korea Herald.
The new role, which carries the same rank as a cabinet minister, will focus on establishing institutional frameworks to support the continued growth of Korean popular culture.
Market Reaction
The appointment also resonated in the business world. Shares in JYP Entertainment, where Park remains chief creative officer and the largest shareholder, surged nearly 6% in after-hours trading on Nextrade, reversing earlier losses.
Analysts attributed the rise to expectations that President Lee Jae Myung's pledge to bolster "five cultural powerhouses" will translate into stronger policy backing for cultural exports.
Officials explained that the new commission will serve as a coordinating body for cultural diplomacy, tasked with ensuring Korea's music and entertainment sector continues its expansion worldwide.
