Jay Steven Kapossy (born March 8, 2001), known professionally as Jay Chang (Korean: 제이창), is an American singer based in South Korea. He is a member of the South Korean boy bandOne Pact, formed by Armada Entertainment in November 2023, and B.D.U, formed through the reality competition show Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival in March 2024.
He made his solo debut on November 23, 2020, with the single "Is You". He released his first extended play (EP) Late Night on October 17, 2023.
Early life
Jay Chang was born and raised in New Jersey, U.S. to a Filipino-Chinese mother and an Irish-Hungarian father. His father was a musician in the 1980s, and Jay grew up watching him perform on late-night shows, serving as his inspiration to enter the music industry.[1]
He was introduced to K-pop as a teenager, when his friend shared a BTSmusic video online. He then attended a K-pop training academy in 2018.[2]
Career
2018: Under Nineteen
In 2018, Jay was scouted by MBC to appear as a contestant on the survival program Under Nineteen where 57 other male K-pop trainees competed to find a place in the final 9-member boy group.[3][4] Jay was eliminated in the first round of eliminations, finishing in 18th place.[5]
2020–present: Solo debut, Boys Planet, One Pact and B.D.U
Jay made his solo debut with his first single "Is You" on November 23, 2020.[6]
In September 2022, Jay signed with FM Entertainment.[7][6][2] He released the single "Liar" on September 30.[6] In December, Jay was announced as a contestant on Mnet's reality competition show Boys Planet, representing FM. The show aired from February to April 2023, and aimed to create a 9-member boy group that would debut as Zerobaseone. He narrowly missed making it into final lineup by finishing in 10th place.[8]
Jay release his first EPLate Night on October 17, 2023. His first showcase was held on the same day at IlchiArt Hall in Gangnam, Seoul.[8][9]
On November 30, 2023, Jay debuted in the group One Pact under Armada Entertainment, a company led by Kangnam. The group is composed of previous Boys Planet contestants. They made their debut with the single "Must Be Nice".[10][7]
In January 2024, Jay joined the reality music competition show Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survival,[11] where he and his team (HunMinJayBit) placed first, received a ₩100 million cash prize and will debut under the project group name B.D.U with a two-year contract.[12]
In October 2024, FM announced that Jay would be releasing his second EP Neigborhood on November 22, and it will consists of four tracks that includes his self-composed songs and features One Pact's co-member Tag.[13]
Discography
Extended plays
List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures
^ abKim, Min-ji (November 3, 2018). "첫방 '언더나인틴', 제이창→수런 외국인 지원자 활약 빛났다" [First episode of "Under Nineteen," foreign candidates Jay Chang and Sooren shine]. Dispatch. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
^Kim, Do-hyung (August 12, 2018). "'언더나인틴' 첫 탈락자 8명 명단 공개, 더욱 치열해진 생존 경쟁 (종합)" [The first eight 'Under Nineteen' eliminations are revealed, and the battle for survival just got tougher (Full Story)]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024 – via Naver.
^ abcIm, Kyung-jin (October 17, 2023). "제이창, 보이즈 플래닛 이후 데뷔의 꿈을 이룬 제이창 (Late Night Showcase) [TOP영상]" [Jay Chang fulfils his dream of debut after Boys' Planet (Late Night Showcase) [TOP Video]]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024 – via Nate News.
^Kim, Na-young (October 17, 2023). "장항준 감독표 스릴러 '오픈 더 도어' 시사회→선미·제이창 쇼케이스 [오늘의 프리뷰]" [Director Jang Hang-jun's thriller 'Open the Door' premieres → Sunmi and Jay Chang showcase [Today's preview]]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024 – via Nate News.
^ abKang, Yeon-woo (January 11, 2024). "'빌드업' 참가자 일부 공개 ...'펜타곤 여원 →원팩트 제이창'" [Some of the 'Build Up' participants revealed...'Pentagon Yeowon →OnePact Jay Chang']. Maeil Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
^Kim, Hyun-rok (March 30, 2024). 제이창·빛새온·승훈·김민서, '빌드업' 우승...B.D.U 결성[종합] [Jay Chang, Bitsaeon, Seunghun, and Kim Min-seo, 'Build Up' winners...B.D.U formation[comprehensive]] (in Korean). SPOTV News. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ye-eun (October 30, 2024). 제이창, 11월 두번째 미니앨범 발매…"기다려준 팬들 감사" [Jay Chang, Second Mini Album Release in November…"Thank You to the Fans Who Waited"] (in Korean). Xports News. Retrieved November 2, 2024 – via Naver.
