Jay Park talked about women, food and his abs at a press conference. Yahoo! Photo / Elizabeth Soh
What does Korean hip hop star Jay Park like about Singapore?
The "beautiful" women, said the singer in a press briefing on Friday.
What's his favourite food in the city-state?
Chicken rice, he answered.
Not chilli crab?
"Chilli crab's alright, but I love chicken." said Park, 25, with a grin.
Dressed casually in comfortable jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt-cardigan combination, the US-born performer also gave candid answers on topics ranging from his dance choreography to how often he displays his toned abs.
His abs received considerable attention when he flashed them on national television after being asked to do so by veteran Korean singer Patti Kim, 74.
"I was like, oh, no they (the abs) are not ready. But she was so much my superior I was just like, all right." said Park. "She gave me a lot of compliments and she said, 'You're born to be on stage.' I was very honored."
For those who aren't Patti Kim and may want some right to take a look at his abs, Park is attracted to girls who are "down-to-earth" and simple.
"If we start talking and she's an interesting person and I'm attracted to her, maybe I'll ask her out or ask for her number," said Park, "If she's not crazy, she could get the second date."
It would also help if she knows how to whip up a decent version of his favorite Korean food, kimchi stew, as Park is a self-confessed "horrible cook".
"She doesn't have to cook, but its not a bad thing." he said smiling.
Park is in town for the weekend to promote his first solo effort, "New Breed". The 15 track-album boasts A-list collaborations with acts like Drunken Tiger, Tasha Reid, Dynamic Duo and Rob Knox, who has produced for the likes of Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.
Its title track, Know Your Name, provides a new aspect to Park that he calls "sexy charisma".
"It's about knowing a girl and taking it slow -- lots of people like to rush things." he explained.
Female fans who are worried about Park batting for the other side after his guest appearance in Youtube star Ryan Higa's "Bromance" video can also rest easy knowing that despite being fairly "touchy-feely" with his close male friends, he is very much a guy's guy.
"We're not afraid to hug each other or give each other handshakes. I guess I'm kind of touchy feely, but not in a weird way." he said.
He added that the thing he loved the most about his new album was the variety.
"Sad songs, sexy songs, slow songs -- even if you listen to the whole album you don't get bored," said Park, whose album is heavily influenced by R&B, dance, electronic hip-hop, and Eurodance.
Jay Park at New Breed Press Conference 2012 / Yahoo! Photos / Elizabeth Soh
Park's solo album also marks a complete departure from his days as a member of idol group 2 p.m, which he left in 2009 after a huge controversy over remarks he made on Myspace about Korea, which turned out to be largely misunderstood.
He returned to America to lie low, but came back to Korea in 2010 where he was greeted with much fanfare and began to make regular appearances on chat shows and music countdowns. Most recently, he guest-starred in the drama "Vampire Idol".
"For all groups, when they first debut, you don't have that much control because you don't know that much about the music business," said Park, when asked about the difference between going solo and being part of a group. "I'm sure I have much more control of my life and my music [now], and I'm very thankful for that."
He added that he has grown by leaps and bounds in the year it has taken him to produce the album.
"I've learned so much producing my own album. It's taken a year to do it, to get everything perfect the way I wanted it. I grew as an artiste," he said.
Next month, Park will be touring the U.S. as the main feature of this year's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), which is organised by Verizon.
