Jae-beom works with U.S. hip-hop producer Teddy Riley

Korean singer Park Jae-beom (left) and American record producer Teddy Riley [AllHipHop.com]

Park Jae-beom, Korean singer and former leader of boy band 2PM, looks set on making his debut in the U.S. music scene by collaborating with famed hip-hop producer Teddy Riley on his upcoming new album.

AllHipHop.com, a popular online hip-hop industry news source, reported today that "Teddy Riley has teamed up with Korean superstar singer/rapper Jay Park" and that "since linking with Teddy Riley, Park has completed tracks with Snoop Dogg, Daz, T-Pain, Krayzie Bone and others."

Riley, considered one of the most prominent record producers in the U.S., has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Amerie and Lady Gaga.

The news site described the former K-pop idol in detail, explaining how he had first shot to fame through 2PM and that his "controversial statements about Korea" led to his downfall last year.

AllHipHop also mentioned that his cover of B.O.B.'s "Nothing On You", posted on Youtube, "has received a staggering 4 million views alone, since being released in March." Riley is said to have been impressed with Park after watching him in this particular video.

The Seattle-born singer was at the peak of his career last September when it was revealed that he had written several controversial remarks -- including "I hate Korea" -- on his MySpace pages during his teenage years as a trainee at agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE).

The matter sparked such national outrage that Park quit the band and left Korea four days after his old comments became public.

With fans pleading for his return, he was expected to rejoin the group and make a comeback to the local music scene this year. However, JYPE announced in February that it had decided to terminate its exclusive contract with the singer due to "a huge wrongdoing" that he had committed in his personal life.

Park had been staying in the U.S. since, dancing with his b-boy crew Art of Movement and putting up videos of his cover performances on Youtube.

He was recently seen in a Youtube video posted by Korean-American hip-hop artist Dumbfoundead, promoting the latter's upcoming new single, to be released on Friday, for which he did a featuring.

Park has also been cast as the male lead in the b-boy film "Hype Nation" and is expected to visit Korea around June to shoot the movie.

Credit - Asiae

Park Jae-beom offered role in Hollywood film "Hype Nation"

Korean pop singer Park Jae-beom [Asia Economic Daily]

Park Jae-beom, Korean singer and former leader of boy band 2PM, has been offered to appear in a Hollywood film titled "Hype Nation", according to an industry source on Monday.

"Park and the film's producer Young Lee have been friends for a long time," the source explained. "From what I know, Lee had offered the role to Jae-beom back when he was working as 2PM and recently asked him again."

The singer has yet to announce his plans regarding the movie, known to be about a dance contest between an American dance crew and South Korean dancers.

"Nation" had originally cast Korean female singer Son Dambi for the lead role, but Son reportedly pulled out of the project when production got delayed due to the U.S. economic recession.

Park, 22, had sparked national controversy last September after remarks -- including "I hate Korea" -- he had written on his MySpace account before his debut became public. He quit the boy band four days later and returned to his hometown of Seattle.

He was expected to make his much-awaited comeback to the group this year until agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE) terminated its contract with the singer last February due to "a huge personal wrongdoing" on his part.

Last month, he was seen participating in a b-boy dance contest in Vancouver, Canada with his dance crew Art of Movement.

Asiae