VIDEO: ENHYPEN JAKE Reveals BTS Got Him into the K-Pop Industry

K-pop boy group ENHYPEN's Korean-Australian member JAKE shared that it was boy group BTS that got him into the K-pop industry. 

On January 10, JAKE guested on Joon Park of boy group g.o.d and Brian of duo FLY TO THE SKY's YouTube show "BYOB." 

As 2025 just kicked off, Joon Park and Brian could not resist asking JAKE about his New Year's resolutions.

JAKE answered, "Well, ENHYPEN has a lot of exciting plans for this year. We're actually going to Coachella, which is a big step for us. Plus, we're planning to release quite a few albums this year."

When asked about personal goals, JAKE said, "I want to be able to create at least one song on my own since I've just started learning production. By the end of the year, my goal is to have a couple of completed songs." 
Then, Brian commented, "So, ENHYPEN started out through a survival audition show, but what inspired you to become a singer? How did you end up joining the show in the first place?" 

JAKE answered, "There was this one time when my mom showed me a news article about BTS performing 'DNA' in America for the first time, and it was a big stage. That's when I first learned about K-pop and really got into it afterward. I was in 10th grade, so around 16 years old. Before then, I didn't really know much about K-pop at all."

Joon Park responded, "But you know what? That's awesome. You first learned about K-pop when you were 16, then you're already on top. Within like six years, that's a big accomplishment."
When asked what he thought was the best part of "I-LAND," the survival audition show that he was part of, JAKE said, "I think it was the experience that really stood out, especially meeting so many new people and other trainees. I trained for about nine months before going on the show, so compared to the others, I felt like I was lacking in skills, especially in dancing and singing."

He continued, "Honestly, I didn't think I was going to make it. I just wanted to participate to learn, improve, and practice. But luckily for me, I was able to debut as part of ENHYPEN, and I truly felt very lucky to have that opportunity."
Regarding how he felt when it was confirmed he was going to debut, JAKE stated, "After the show ended and I debuted, I just saw it as the beginning—like a fresh start. But I was definitely a bit nervous too. 'I-LAND' didn't give us any insight into how the fans were reacting or anything. You couldn't bring phones with you, so I was completely cut off from the outside world. So, at first, I couldn't really feel my debut." 

He went on, "Later, I found out how happy my family was. My mom didn't show it, but I think she was very nervous because I was leaving behind the life I had in Australia. I was in school, and it was a quick switch—just like that, I made my decision. She supported me, but I could tell she might have been a little worried deep down." 

He added, "But she still supported me, and I'm very thankful for that. When I finally debuted, I could see she felt a huge sense of relief. That made me the happiest—knowing she was relieved." 

After that, JAKE continued sharing stories about his life—his favorite places to travel, the foods he enjoys, living with the members, and more.
 
(Credit= 'JohnMaat' YouTube, 'bangtan.official' Facebook) 

(SBS Star)