Park Jin-young (Hangul: 박진영; born December 13, 1971, also known by his stage names J. Y. Park and The Asiansoul or the initials JYP, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer, record executive, and reality television show judge. Park rose to stardom as a singer following the release of his 1994 debut album, Blue City. In 1997, he became the founder and CEO of JYP Entertainment, one of the most profitable entertainment agencies in South Korea. As the head of JYP Entertainment, Park has developed and managed highly successful K-pop acts including Rain, Wonder Girls, 2PM, Miss A, Got7, Suzy, Stray Kids, Day6, Itzy and Twice.
Park was born in Seoul. His father, Park Myung-ro, was a resident news correspondent based in the United States. When he was nine, Park moved with his mother to New York following his father's reassignment. They lived there for three years before Park returned to Seoul for his high school years. He then attended Yonsei University, during which time he released his first two albums. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in geology in 1996. He has an older sister.