2PM has released “Without U”, without Jay Park

After a long wait and all sorts of speculation as to whether the group could succeed after Jay Park left, 2PM has released their first single for the album Don’t Stop Can’t Stop (I kind of chuckled to myself over that title since it reminded me of JYP’s No Love, No More, which was clearly his most successful musical venture. Not.) . It took me a little while to get into it, but I think the track grows on you.

I kind of wondered, upon seeing the title of the song “Without U” if it was aimed at Jay, but that’s all really open to interpretation. I think with 2PM’s recent work on the charity campaign “Happy Bean: Happy Energy”, which raises money for children’s school supplies (they’re partnered with Naver on this), the group is really working hard to promote a positive image.

Some netizens are protesting the video and still calling for boycotts, but I think the moment has passed and it’s time to begin accepting 6PM/1:59PM as 2PM again. After all, Jay is publicly supporting his old bandmates on his youtube page, with the following message posted on his bulletin board:

So, without further ado, here’s the mv for “Without U”: