Memory Vault: Revisiting an Unseen Interview with Lena Park
 

By W.J. Kang
Special to The New York Times
 

Lena Park during an interview in 1996.

In 1996, I had a brief stint with a company called N Media, which was gearing up to launch a weekly magazine named Weekly E!. Although we prepared the first issue, it never saw the light of day due to a lack of market viability. However, one of the treasures from that issue was an interview with Lena Park. Park burst onto the music scene like a comet in the late '90s and has maintained her position at the top for many years. Known primarily for her pop ballads and R&B, she also excels in genres such as folk, modern rock, jazz, and synth-pop. Even after more than 25 years since her debut, Park continues to pursue a diverse and youthful sound that aligns with the latest trends in music.

Recently, I rediscovered that unpublished issue and felt compelled to share the interview with you, despite this being a sports blog. This interview was conducted by my colleague, Kang Won Jun, and myself.

Interviewer: W.J. Kang
Interviewee: Lena Park
Planning and Photography: Bradley Park
Interview Location: Southern California
Interview Date: July 1996

Among the 1.5 and second-generation Korean-Americans in the United States, there are many who excel in various fields, raising the profile of Koreans and providing great inspiration. Weekly E! decided to delve deep and introduce these hidden 'stars' through in-depth coverage.

Dreaming of Global Stardom: Lena Park

For the inaugural issue of Weekly E!, we featured Lena Park (Korean name Park Jung Hyun, 23 years old in 1996) as our first 'Star Town' highlight. Anyone who has heard her music knows why we introduced her as someone 'dreaming of being the best in the world.' Her impressive resume and boundless talent underscore her potential to become a world-renowned singer. In addition to her singing prowess, Park has also received accolades for her acting and dancing, making her a true all-around entertainer.

It's impossible to list all of her awards, so here are a few notable recent ones: second place at the 1992 Way Out of Broadway Talent Contest, first place the following year at the same event, and a lead role at the 1993 LA Classic Jazz Festival. In 1994, she won the third Commercial Acting Competition, earning opportunities to work with advertising agents—plans that were derailed by the Northridge earthquake. That same year, Park won the Grand Prize at the 1994 International Modeling Talent Association Contest, showcasing her talent on a global stage.

Lena Park's name is not unfamiliar to the Korean community in LA. She made a dazzling debut in 1994 by winning the Grand Prize at the first Korean American Gospel Broadcasting Singing Contest. The song she performed, "Crying Inside, Dying Inside," became very popular among Christians. Despite being approached by numerous record producers, Park, a proud Christian and gospel singer, was cautious about entering the commercial music industry. Her aspirations and passion for her musical journey, however, remained strong.

Ambitious Goals
 

Park has long felt that Christian music fails to attract the general public, and she dreams of creating music that, while as diverse and technically proficient as popular music, conveys the same messages. It's a challenging and potentially controversial endeavor. "It breaks my heart to see young people lose their proper sentiments to some misguided music cultures," she said, adding, "It's a shame that beautiful Christian music isn't reaching them effectively." Despite the risks, Park is determined to challenge this, inspired by her idol, Lenny Kravitz. 

Lena Park during an interview in 1996.

Parental Support

Much of Park's ability to fully express her talent can be attributed to her parents' unwavering support, particularly her father, Rev. Park Won Sik, who recognized and nurtured her talent early on. "It's time for Christians to step out of their restricted boundaries and share proper culture and sentiments in various fields," he said. Her father's progressive thinking and wholehearted support have been instrumental in her journey.

From taking ballet lessons from her toddler years until she was twelve, learning piano throughout middle and high school, to receiving vocal training from eighth grade through her second year of college, Park has been guided and encouraged by her mother, Park So Hyang. Her mother’s unseen guidance and encouragement have shaped who she is today and who she will become.

A UCLA Film/TV Major
 

Despite her busy schedule, Park excelled academically and proudly entered UCLA's renowned Film/TV department. "Studying is hard, but I can manage because I’m doing what I love," she said. Park dreams of becoming a great director and capturing comprehensive art through beautiful visuals. With a tenacious dedication to her studies and relentless pursuit of her goals, she embodies the spirit of determination.

Lena Park: A Story Written in 2024 (Written by Bradley Park)

Lena Park, born on March 23, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, is a Korean-American singer and musician who has been active since 1998. Known for her work in the ballad genre, she has also shown versatility in pop, R&B, folk, modern rock, jazz, and synth-pop. Lena pursued English Literature at Columbia University after initially attending UCLA.

In the late '90s, Park debuted in South Korea with her first album "Piece" in 1998, featuring the hit song "P.S. I Love You." Over the years, she solidified her popularity with successful albums and hit singles. Her fourth album in 2002, including the song "Dream," was particularly well-received and marked her as a prominent figure in the music industry.

Lena's talents extend beyond singing to include significant performances and television appearances, such as on the show "I Am a Singer" in 2011, which further boosted her fame. Her contribution to the music industry has been recognized with multiple awards, including honors from the Korean Music Awards and Style Icon Awards.

Despite the challenges of language barriers and cultural adaptation, Lena Park has remained a beloved and influential artist in South Korea, continuously evolving her music to align with contemporary trends.