| Teddy Park | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Park Hong-jun |
| Born | September 14, 1978 South Korea |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations | Rapper, record producer, composer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass, electric guitar, piano |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | YG Entertainment |
| Associated acts | 1TYM, 2NE1, Big Bang |
| Website | 1TYM official website |
| Teddy Park | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 박홍준 |
| Hanja | 朴洪俊 |
| Revised Romanization | Bak Hong-jun |
| McCune–Reischauer | Pak Hong-chun |
| Stage name | |
| Hangul | 테디 박 |
| Revised Romanization | Tedi Bak |
| McCune–Reischauer | T'edi Pak |
Park Hong-jun (born September 14, 1978),[1] better known as Teddy Park or just Teddy, is a Korean-American rapper and record producer. Born in South Korea, Park moved to the United States as a young child. There, he learned English. After moving back to South Korea, he majored in English at Myongji University.
Teddy Park dropped out of university to join hip hop group 1TYM.[2] Together, the group recorded five total studio albums. Park involved himself with the production process on the group's later albums, and started his producing career. The group's last album, One Way, was released in 2005.[3]
After activities with 1TYM, Teddy Park became primarily a producer for YG Entertainment. He has worked on substantial amounts of Big Bang's material, the entirety of 2NE1's first extended play, the majority of 2NE1's studio album To Anyone, and Uhm Jung-hwa's "D.I.S.C.O."[4][5]
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Teddy Park was born in South Korea, but quickly moved to New York City after as a young child. Park was heavily bullied there, but his father got a transfer to the city of Diamond Bar, California, where he attended Diamond Bar High School. There, he met Im Taebin, and together they bonded over a love of rap music. They auditioned together at Brothers Entertainment, and got accepted. There, they learned about YG Entertainment. They moved to South Korea, where Park attended Myongji University, majoring in English. However, he soon moved to Seoul to start activities with newly formed group 1TYM. He is fluent in English and Korean.
While with 1TYM, the group produced five studio albums. In 1998, they debuted with One Time for Your Mind with a hip hop music style. Park was primarily a rapper and had little input in the songs outside of writing his own lyrics.
One Time for Your Mind was followed by 2nd Round in 2000 and Third Time Fo' Yo' Mind in 2003. Park began to have more input into the songs, and had a more prominent role in producing.
After the initial three albums, 1TYM released Once N 4 All. After this, they went on a two year hiatus in which member Taebin released his own solo debut album. 1TYM came back with One Way in 2005, their fifth and last studio album. 1TYM went on hiatus after One Way due to Oh Jinhwan's military service.
Starting in 2006, after 1TYM started its hiatus, Teddy began to produce for his label. His first major production outside of work with 1TYM was "La La La" from Seven's album Sevolution.[6]
From late 2006 to early 2009, Park produced for up-and-coming boy band Big Bang.[2] He had a part in their hit song "Sunset Glow" most notably.[4]
In 2009, Park began to become more active as a producer. "Lollipop," a collaboration between Big Bang and new girl group 2NE1, was made by Teddy and topped the Gaon Chart during April.[7] While producing for 2NE1, Park was offered to work for then-upcoming superstar Lady Gaga, but refused.[4] He turned his attention back to 2NE1 and had a part in the production of all of 2NE1's debut extended play, 2NE1.[5] In addition, Teddy produced much of Big Bang member Taeyang's solo album [2] and was featured in leader G-Dragon's song "The Leaders."[8] Near the end of the year, 10Asia named Teddy Park as one of the top 10 people of 2009 for his participation in some of the year's biggest k-pop hits.
Teddy Park composed Seven's lead promotional single in 2010, "Better Together," in addition to other songs from Digital Bounce. After work on Seven's album, Park began working on 2NE1's first studio album, To Anyone. Two of the three main singles, "Can't Nobody" and "Go Away," were composed by Park.[6]
Teddy's production style is noted for heavy influences from contemporary R&B. In addition, he has been noted for using reggae in his songs. Park stated that his own work from 2NE1's debut EP was highly reggae-influenced.[9] Later, on 2NE1's full length album and subsequent mini-album, he uses pop and dance music styles, often featuring house elements .[10]
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