JYP says Jae-beom will return to 2PM if makes comeback

Park Jin-young, founder and CEO of JYP Entertainment, said former 2PM leader Park Jae-beom will return to the group should he make a comeback.

Park Jin-young made the remark on a pre-recorded session of talk show "Golden Fishery" on Wednesday, speaking of the idol star on television for the first time since his departure from the group in September.

The young singer left for his hometown of Seattle after coming under heat over controversial comments he made about Korea on his MySpace account before his debut.

"He will most definitely return as a member of 2PM should he decide to make a comeback," Park said. "The members all love each other very much and neither Jae-beom nor the others would want to pursue their careers separately."

Park however, asked fans and the media to give the young singer time and space since he is regretting and repenting on his past wrongdoing. "He himself believes he truly made a big mistake and that's why he says he can't appear on stage right now."

Park added, "What I can help him with in the meantime is to help him meet singing and dancing teachers so that his talent as a singer does not go to waste and I will help him when the time comes that he wants to return to the stage."

Fans have been protesting against Park Jae-beom's departure, calling for his reinstatement into the group but Park Jin-young stated on his website that 2PM would continue its activities with its remaining six members.

The formerly seven-member group released their first regular album yesterday, officially resuming their activities for the first time without Park Jae-beom.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr