Jay Park introduces his first Hip-Hop idol group LNGSHOT: "I poured my bones and soul into them"

“I ground down my bones and soul.” Jay Park is launching a new idol group that he personally produced. The four-member boy group is called LNGSHOT. Jay Park described them as “a team I can pour all of myself into.”

LNGSHOT held a showcase on January 13 at 2 PM KST at MyungHwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, to commemorate the release of their debut EP 'SHOT CALLERS.' Jay Park, the CEO and lead producer of More Vision, participated in the project as the group’s producer.

Now in his 18th year since debuting as a singer, Jay Park reflected on his career, saying, “I’ve released many albums, founded the company More Vision, and reached a fairly high position in hip-hop and R&B. I’ve also achieved success.”

He continued, “With that experience, I started thinking about what comes next. At that point, K-pop had become a globally recognized industry. I wanted to create a team based on my experience—artists I genuinely enjoy listening to and believe are cool.”

LNGSHOT consists of Ohyul, Ryul, Woojin, and Louis. Explaining how the group came together, Jay Park said, “Rather than forcing myself to create a certain type of idol group, LNGSHOT was formed around friends I could genuinely give my heart and everything to.”

He also spared no praise for the members. Speaking about leader Ohyul, Jay Park said, “He has a clean-cut look and a very attractive vocal tone. He sings well, plays the guitar well, puts in effort, has desperation, and is athletic. He’s the only one with visible abs. A truly sexy guy.”

Ryul caught Jay Park’s attention during Mnet’s 'Show Me the Money.' “He was already a strong rapper at a young age,” Jay Park said. “I advised him to study timeless and classic styles, and the result is incredibly cool.”

About Woojin, he commented, “He’s someone who’s very curious and always asks questions with a learner’s mindset. He puts in a lot of effort to develop his skills and talent. That’s admirable. His dancing has great feel, and his understanding is quite high.”

As for Louis, Jay Park smiled and said, “He’s just an angel. Louis has an innate vocal tone. Many people compare him to Justin Bieber—something you can’t learn no matter how much you practice. Recently, his dancing has also become really impressive.”

The group name LNGSHOT means “a decisive shot taken to turn the tables, even when the odds are slim.” The debut EP title, 'SHOT CALLERS,' was also coined by Jay Park.

Woojin shared, “At first, the word ‘longshot’ felt unfamiliar since it’s not commonly used in Korea. But as we’ve promoted under this name, I’ve come to feel that no other word could represent our team better.”

Oyul explained the album title, saying, “SHOT CALLERS refers to those who make decisions and lead. It reflects our intention to take ownership and actively lead what we create.”

The debut EP 'SHOT CALLERS' features five tracks spanning hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Jay Park handled the overall production, with all members participating in the creative process.

The title track is “Moonwalkin”, inspired by Michael Jackson’s legendary moonwalk dance. The song expresses the group’s determination to move forward with passion despite uncertainty.

Woojin elaborated on the message: “During my trainee days, I felt uncertainty and anxiety about debuting, but also an intense drive to work harder. That emotion is reflected in the song. It fits LNGSHOT perfectly.”

Originally, “Moonwalkin” was a solo track Woojin received as a trainee. After hearing it, Jay Park immediately suggested turning it into a group song. Woojin shared, “It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the LNGSHOT project started because of this song.”

The members identified “authenticity” as LNGSHOT’s core keyword. Woojin said, “I used to be confused about what authenticity really meant in music and beyond. Through our CEO, I learned that authenticity is about continuously challenging yourself with what you love and persuading others through persistence.”

He added, “It might be tough if we fail to convince the public for a long time, but pushing forward until we score; that’s LNGSHOT. Authenticity will be a crucial keyword for our team going forward.”

Finally, the members shared their goals. Louis said, “I want to keep making the music I love.” Woojin stated, “All four of us joined this company because of Jay Park. We want to become timeless idols and artists like him.”

Oyul said, “If you keep taking shots consistently, one will eventually go in. I’ll work hard until that moment comes.” Ryul added confidently, “I hope LNGSHOT becomes a brand that represents K-pop or even the world. Our goal this year is to win Rookie of the Year.”

Meanwhile, LNGSHOT officially released their debut EP 'SHOT CALLERS' at 6 PM KST on the same day, marking the start of their full-scale promotional activities.