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ENHYPEN’s Jay revealed he was once street-cast by SM Entertainment before joining HYBE’s BELIFT LAB, surprising fans. The disclosure sparked excitement among ENGENEs, who speculated on how his career might have differed under SM Entertainment.
Jay shared in the South Korean reality show, No Pogi, with NCT‘s Jungwoo and MONSTA X‘s Shownu that he had left SM Entertainment and joined HYBE.
"I got an casting offer from [Jungwoo’s] company. It was a good opportunity because I was at the age where I was not passionate about anything. For the first time, I was passionate about trying something, so my parents were also like, ‘well then you have to do it.’"
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Jay continued:
"So they gave me their support and after I left [SM Entertainment], I worked hard at a dance academy for a few months, and my current company came to visit the academy and I participated in a public audition, and that was it."
Jay, full name Park Jong-seong, is a key member of ENHYPEN, excelling as a vocalist, rapper, and dancer. Known for his dedication, he honed his skills during BELIFT LAB’s survival show, I-LAND, where he became a top finalist. Formed in 2020, ENHYPEN includes Jay and six other members: Heeseung, Jungwon, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki.
Fans flooded social media with hilarious reactions to the news. One fan wrote that they almost "lost" Jay to NCT.
"we almost lost him to nct omfg."
Jay’s story of being spotted on the streets and his talent serves as an inspiration, reminding fans of the journey that brought him and the group to where they are today. Fans discussed how it was "his fate" to become a part of ENHYPEN.
"Not surprised they only street cast the most insane face cards," one fan said.
"I couldnt picture him in NCT / RIIZE ... like his fate is written to be part of ENHYPEN." one fan emphasized.
"Mind yall he was street cast by SM, was a bighit trainee, placed second in the final lineup before he's debuted and now is the member of ENHYPEN. That's a flex fr." one other fan commented.
Others made light of the matter and said that Jay "gives off SM or YG vibes."
"I was …. just talking to my friend about Jay on how I would pass him as an SM trainee. And how his vocals will be more stronger if he was under SM because HE GOT DEM VOCALSSSS. And this showed up," one fan commented.
"He honestly gives off SM or YG vibes, imagine him debuting in riize," another fan said.
"It's funny cuz I always thought jay had a very sm visual style," one other fan added.
ENHYPEN’s stellar rise from debut to world tours
ENHYPEN debuted in November 2020 with the mini-album BORDER: DAY ONE, led by the hit track Given-Taken. The album’s success made them a leading act in the fourth generation of K-pop.
Subsequent releases like DIMENSION: DILEMMA and MANIFESTO: DAY 1 solidified their presence in the global music scene, with several of their tracks topping charts and earning accolades.
Their FATE world tour ran from July 29, 2023, to September 1, 2024, and boasted 42 shows. The tour, initially planned to span a limited number of cities, saw its dates extended due to overwhelming fan demand.
ENHYPEN recently released their repackaged album, ROMANCE: UNTOLD - Daydream, in November 2024. The album served as a continuation of the themes explored in their July release, ROMANCE: UNTOLD - Reality. This project delved into the complex interplay between fantasy and reality, portraying the struggles of youth seeking freedom while bound by societal expectations.
The album featured tracks like the dreamy title song Daydream, which explored themes of escapism and longing. Other fan favorites such as Moonstruck, No Doubt, and XO (Only If You Say Yes).
In other news, ENHYPEN’s 2024 to 2025 Walk The Line world tour commenced on October 5, at Goyang Stadium in South Korea. They are set to perform on December 28 and 29 at Japan's Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka followed by their concerts on January 25 and 26, 2025, at Kyocera Dome, Osaka, Japan.
