Where were you when eaJ—formerly part of the Korean rock band Day6, announced his departure from JYP Entertainment and the band?
Over the weekend, MyDays, the fandom of South Korea’s hottest band at the moment, DAY6, was in shambles following eaJ’s appearance on the Zach Sang Show. The reason for this was because eaJ had opened up about his feelings towards the group and the circumstances surrounding his departure from his former agency.
It’s been a while since I had been on this one! Thank you @zachsang 🙇❤️https://t.co/7mosKbi0RR
— eaJ (@eaJPark) September 12, 2024
Full interview with @eaJPark is up!https://t.co/VvS7gJyktC pic.twitter.com/a2Fnznczh5
— Zach Sang Show (@ZachSangShow) September 12, 2024
eaJ, who formerly went by the name Jae as a member of Day6, first gained attention in South Korea after participating in the first season of “K-pop Star” back in 2012. In 2015, he debuted as a vocalist and electric guitarist for DAY6.
He first began his personal music project as ‘eaJ’ titled “the eaJ Project,” where he released 8 self-written tracks on his SoundCloud and YouTube.
In the same year, DAY6 took a hiatus after they released their 6th EP, “The Book of Us: The Demon,” to focus on their mental health. JYP Entertainment stated that both Park Sungjin and Jae specifically had been advised to take a break from professional activities at the time.
eaJ continued to be active in 2020 through his Twitch streaming, collaborations with other artists, and even voice acting for the 3rd season of “Big Hero 6: The Series.” In 2021, DAY6 released their 7th EP, “The Book of Us: Negentropy,” which marked Sungjin and Jae’s end to their hiatus. This was the last album to feature eaJ.
On December 31, 2021, eaJ had first announced on his personal Twiiter (now X) account that he will be taking a hiatus as a member of DAY6. JYP Entertainment later on released a statement which said that eaJ will be leaving the band and that his exclusive contract with them had ended due to personal reasons.
Throughout his time as a member of DAY6, eaJ had composed about 46 songs in the band’s discography. DAY6 currently operates as a 4-member band with members Sungjin, YoungK, Wonpil, and Dowoon.
Now, 3 years after his departure from DAY6, eaJ has spoken up about his experiences and feelings towards the group, which ultimately led to him receiving backlash. In the interview specifically, eaJ had been asked about his feelings about DAY6’s album titled “Fourever”.
It was evident in the interview that eaJ was sort of hesitant to talk about the group, but he spoke about it as honestly as he could. To that end, eaJ said that seeing the album title “Fourever” kind of hurt, because it felt like he was “being erased” from the history of the group.
eaJ straightforwardedly said that he had a hard time watching any DAY6 content because it reminded him of his past, how he had fought “tooth and nail” to promote the band as much as he could, and how he had a difficult time coming back to South Korea in the past because he was always “filled with anxiety.”
eaJ responds to Day6 naming their EP "Fourever"@eaJPark pic.twitter.com/Qz54IQjd1x
— Zach Sang Show (@ZachSangShow) September 13, 2024
Nevertheless, eaJ said that he was proud of DAY6 and he always “knew that they’d be at the top of the world”.
The interview was coincidentally released at a time where DAY6 are currently reaping the rewards for all of their hard work in the past years—their songs have recently reached a “Real Time All-Kill” status in South Korea, and 4 of their songs are currently on Melon chart’s top 5.
eaJ’s commenta drew in mixed reactions from DAY6 fans, with some specifically saying that he’s saying all that because he’s no longer in the band when they’re currently so beloved in South Korea.
clearly their success is bothering #him a lot because they never got this when #he was in the group https://t.co/hYzCq8Xrv0
— yul ིྀ (@nugulemonade) September 13, 2024
maybe im being too harsh here but claiming to be "erased" just because of an ep title saying the group is moving on as four… you made the decision to leave the group. and you were also the same person saying things like "im not in kpop anymore" pic.twitter.com/8p4CC9Y3Yq
— yul ིྀ (@nugulemonade) September 13, 2024
he said a lot of controversial things that led to bad pr for day6 and himself but has since reflected upon these things (as expressed in the interview) so i wouldnt say hes bad. just annoyed this interview came out when day6 is finally getting their moment the timing feels…
— yul ིྀ (@nugulemonade) September 13, 2024
we all remember this, so no, he ain't got no sympathy from me pic.twitter.com/JYWGIrk9Zw https://t.co/2CKaktCPgn
— tanny 🍉 (@cowboybahng) September 14, 2024
jae needs to stfu. day6 deserves this https://t.co/mO3yctJRZ8
— missing ty track (@THEESHOTARO) September 14, 2024
jae needs to learn to shut up again. no one erase him, he decided to leave himself and it was a respectable decision. but it doesn't make sense to me that every time i see this man on my tl it's because he talks about a group from which HE decided to leave https://t.co/BoainmPqse
— may (@jungsumiau) September 13, 2024
firstly, fuck this show. secondly, why bring up day6 when jae hasn’t been part of it for YEARS now? it’s really important to note that the group was ALSO hurt by him leaving & his actions at the time. why look down on them for showing companionship after everything? https://t.co/3GUGC6UWi0
— trissy 🤍 (@lofiracha) September 13, 2024
leaving a band to become a twitch streamer is definitely…a choice…. https://t.co/aTAoZCPAvN
— maria 🍉 (@royalsoo) September 14, 2024
he’s so hilarious for acting like he didn’t choose to leave to become a twitch streamer… i have no sympathy for “them moving on hurts me ☹️” when you hurt them first by leaving them for TWITCH. not giving them your forever was a choice, now deal with the consequences https://t.co/I79Vnm9DQj
— mau 🍉 (@jellyiren) September 13, 2024
Day6 have worked incredibly hard to protect the band's name & legacy after the hiatus & everything…And just like that, the team's name is in the bad light again, just a week before their world tour starts💔….I just want to ask, are you happy now? pic.twitter.com/yGzU5zBBPo
— 집돌이 || ia🐱 (@bobbmukja) September 13, 2024
On the other hand, some fans also spoke in favor of eaJ, particularly highlighting the fact that he has nothing but supportive of the band and his efforts in promoting the band better than their agency. (Hint: JaeSix, ASC, mentioning DAY6 when he was still streaming on Twitch, etc.)
Other fans also pointed out that there was nothing wrong with him talking about his experiences when he was in the K-pop industry, because they were HIS own experiences. If we didn’t allow him to talk about them freely, then it would be like invalidating all of the pain he and the band has been through.
Day6's current success is still his success no matter how you guys twist his words, his intentions and his feelings. Friendly reminder that Jae is first in the credits for this song. One of Day6's longest charting songs. https://t.co/RFAqcB91PY pic.twitter.com/Dp2ODESUDE
— jingjing 🦊✨ (@berryminhui) September 14, 2024
he left the band because he was being mistreated, artists have reached out to collab with him and day6 but jyp all turned them down for him https://t.co/5f4vzzULnN
— yannie met tito eaj! ✨ (@yujustala) September 14, 2024
He said quite a few number of times that day6 will be on top of the world and that they'd make good music still even without him. He has always been and is still proud of the boys. He loves them. You idiots need to stop thinking his beef is with the four AND that he's jealous https://t.co/1zdP3d2dS8
— riri met eaj:) (@withering_lilac) September 14, 2024
they could never gaslight me into believing that jae left day6 on bad terms. gurl i was there when it happened. and like they're all still on talking terms so it's just so weird to see certain mydays erasing him from history https://t.co/HjKxvdBRDw
— carla🕸️ (@durkhheim) September 12, 2024
i literally need to kill myself pic.twitter.com/oVHLC9OG4a
— nik🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ JAE AND DAY6 MONTH (@6aylight) September 12, 2024
you wish you can erase jae from the band when there’s 4 albums and 7 EPs with his songwriting credits and vocals. i bet you grind your teeth every time you listen to his voice and it must suck being you.
— mira 🩹☔️ (@dearkwp) September 12, 2024
people who arent with day6 since debut should not speak on how JAE feels about the band.. HE IS THE BIGGEST SUPPORTER OF THE GROUP. Promoting it ever since debut bc STUDIO J CANT FCKING DO THEIR JOB RIGHT https://t.co/M3IKg8fAbZ
— 💃 (@yslprincesss) September 14, 2024
the amount of fans who used to praise jae for constantly promoting day6 when their label did jackshit for them.. like how many of y’all wouldn’t be here without his love for the band. the same love that persists today despite everything that happened https://t.co/VZFmsF94df
— angela ☆ ^-ㅅ-^ (@coffeedjh) September 12, 2024
im honestly glad that jae is out of that industry. i dont know how i will survive their fan culture in this day and age. the people who are preaching about mental health are the same ones who are sending hate to other artists. make it make sense??
— Mara saw eaJ 5x 🌧 (@maramar___) September 13, 2024
let me tell you day6 were in nugudom bcs jype dont want to fucking promote the band but jae brought them to kpop star to perform and they charted for the first time no one loves day6 more than jae does https://t.co/H23DabiCWd
— sara 🇵🇸 (@hongdbins) September 14, 2024
"If anyone knows Jae as a friend or a close person you would know he wasn't meaning that as what he said"
The same person you're trying so hard as brand as misogynistic is one of the very few people in the k-industry who has spoken up about the current issues of SA rn https://t.co/KH8zShhncO pic.twitter.com/YSXufif1Zw
— jingjing 🦊✨ (@berryminhui) September 15, 2024
"jae should stop talking about day6" no he shouldn't. he was in it. and they don't have a problem with him mentioning them either. there's no problem with him mentioning them day6 never get any backlash from him doing so anyway. let him talk about his own experiences
— nik🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ JAE AND DAY6 MONTH (@6aylight) September 13, 2024
I mean this in the most respectful way possible bc all 5 of them are amazing performers together and on their own but jae’s presence is truly so missed, the way he used to talk to the crowd and walk around during freely was so amazing i’ve never had a concert experience like it https://t.co/0C65KYDCm1
— 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝘆*ೃ༄ (@pixieslx) September 12, 2024
its funny & sad at the same time that jae said he doesn’t know if he has the right to say about the band when he has EVERY right to do so cos he’s been with the band longer than us while there’s some ppl who think they have the right to say about the band like they’re apart of it
— mira 🩹☔️ (@dearkwp) September 12, 2024
idk who needs to hear this but yes you CAN like both jae and day6 without having a secret vendetta against one of them
— nik🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ JAE AND DAY6 MONTH (@6aylight) September 8, 2024
Jae 🙁 i hope one day you will be able to let the world know.. and just live your life without the heavy burden on your shoulders to keep things to yourself..
— nad (@littlemooneaJ) September 11, 2024
On September 15, 2024, YoungK indirectly addressed the rumors of the band and eaJ no longer being in contact by saying, “It could be someone’s birthday.” eaJ’s birthday is on September 15.
240915 애플뮤직
While saying goodbye 😆🦊 Happy Birthday to you~
🐻 *joins in* … What birthday?
🦊 Well, it could be someone's birthday today?
🐻 Ahhh~#DAY6 #데이식스 pic.twitter.com/rYV9VAwiKv— Zoe / 조이 🍀 (@howtoyoungk) September 15, 2024
it COULD be someone's birthday today
— nik🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ JAE AND DAY6 MONTH (@6aylight) September 15, 2024
"it could be someone's birthday" sir ive loved you for five consecutive years i know the face youre making isnt for "just because" its for "i have a hidden ulterior motive and imma make it obvious"pic.twitter.com/WwsXuwomzP
— ifrah (@sungjinade) September 15, 2024
Well, it could be someone's birthday today? – Kang young hyun 150924
— Sia (@LeanOnDowoon) September 15, 2024
As someone who has been a fan of DAY6 since their “Every DAY6 Project” in 2017, and who found out about DAY6 through eaJ’s interactions with fans on Twitter in the past, seeing all of this happen is a little bittersweet.
Fans from the beginning have seen how hard eaJ worked just for DAY6 to be promoted, how he was DAY6’s most active member prior to his hiatus, and for being a crucial part to DAY6’s traction. eaJ also has not badmouthed the band in any way, and has always stated that he will always believe in them and be proud of DAY6.
It is also quite obvious that eaJ has grown from his past mistakes and has done a lot of reflecting with regards to the things he has done in the past. If we were to continue crucifying him for his past, how would we see how much he’s improved? It’s like we’re not allowing him to become a better person, and how we’re just boxing one person in a certain stereotype just because of his past.
This goes out to anyone out there actually, EXCEPT for criminals and sexual offenders. We are all allowed to make mistakes and to grow from them. eaJ is no exception to this—for sure he has repented for all of the things he’s said and done.
Now, he visibly looks better than he was in the past and he’s gotten some insights over the years. Let eaJ and DAY6 live and exist in the same timeline. eaJ’s presence in DAY6 was a time to remember, that’s for sure.
But that does not make his absence from the band the main point of things. He and DAY6 have become more successful as the years gone by, and surely, they’re nothing but proud of each other.
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