Wanna Get To Know Park Jihoon?

With the rise of popularity coming from his lead role as Yeon Shieun in the hit show Weak Hero Class 1, many are getting a look into the musical side of Park Jihoon, and if you decide to do the same, you won't be disappointed. Jihoon debuted in WANNA ONE after ranking second on Produce 101 Season 2 on August 7, 2017. After the group disbandment, Jihoon focused not only on his acting career, but also debuted as a solo artist with the song “L.O.V.E,” which was released on March 26, 2019. Since then, Jihoon has released six mini-albums and acted in a handful of Korean dramas. 

“L.O.V.E” landed him not only his first solo Music Bank win, but also showcased his solo talents to the world. The song has a mellow yet upbeat sound while the lyrics show a sense of pain,  longing for someone and the memories they once shared. The music video follows Jihoon as he seems to be in pain of being alone. The lyrics connect what seems to be his past love to a flower, specifically a rose. Throughout the music video, you see Jihoon following a rose while it keeps disappearing from his touch. The imagery introduces pain to the viewer, but also showcases his visuals and dance skills with certain choreographed scenes. 

Two years and four mini-albums later, Jihoon won a second time on THE SHOW for his song “Serious.” The sound is very different from what Jihoon expressed in “L.O.V.E.” While both songs express the pain of losing a lover and trying to get them back, “Serious” puts Jihoon in a position where he blames himself for the loss of love but also pleads for that love back. The song has a sound of upbeat pop-dance music, but it also holds a deeper meaning which can be seen through most of Jihoon’s songs. As a solo vocalist, Jihoon also taps into his rapping techniques for “Serious,” which is a main example of his rap style. The music video takes viewers through the different phases of grieving a relationship. You can see Jihoon going from feeling frustrated and tearing apart his house to him looking at himself through a piece of a mirror with pure hurt on his face. 

His most recent release gained popularity once Weak Hero Class 1 fans learned about Jihoon’s solo career. “NITRO” and his sixth mini-album are a perfect example of how mature his voice and style of music have become throughout his four years of being a solo artist. “NITRO” has an electronic dance sound while also incorporating his regular pop sound. The music video focuses on Jihoon as he’s running from someone out to get him. There are solo shots of him dancing, allowing viewers to get a sense of his dynamic and how much of an all-rounder he is.

While his popularity continues to grow, Jihoon is releasing covers of songs to give his fans, MAYs, a little something to listen to while he works on his upcoming projects. He recently released a cover of “camping everywhere” by george and continues to promote his recent acting project, which spiked his fame. 

Listen to Park Jihoon’s latest release and tune into Weak Hero Class 1!

Edited by Erin Rupprecht