Singer and entertainer Jang Wooyoung of 2PM has candidly shared a financial regret that’s now making headlines — turning down JYP Entertainment stock in favor of cash during his contract renewal years ago.
The story came to light in the October 16 episode of the web variety show Pinggyego, where Jang appeared alongside MAMAMOO’s Hwasa to chat with hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho. During the show, Jang humorously introduced himself as “JYP’s External Relations Director.” When Yoo Jae-suk jokingly asked if he owned any company shares, Jang replied, “No. I don’t have any. I wasn’t interested in stocks back then, and I still don’t really understand them.”
He went on to explain that when renewing his contract with JYP Entertainment, he was given a choice between receiving his signing bonus in company shares or cash. “At the time, I didn’t know what would happen to the company. I was offered stock options, but I chose cash instead,” he said.
According to Jang, JYP founder Park Jin-young also played a role in the decision. “Jinyoung hyung told us, ‘Giving you stock options feels like asking you to invest in the company yourselves, and that doesn’t feel right. You’ve worked hard, so you should be rewarded directly.’ After thinking it over, he decided to give us cash instead.”
The room burst into laughter when Jang admitted, “But looking back now… it drives me crazy,” referencing how much JYP’s stock value has skyrocketed since then.
In the years following that decision, JYP Entertainment’s market capitalization has reportedly increased by about 16 times, fueled by the global success of its artists including TWICE, Stray Kids, and ITZY.
Yoo Jae-suk sympathetically responded, “No one could’ve predicted that. You made the choice that felt right at the time,” while Jo Se-ho playfully asked, “If you could turn back time, how many shares would you buy?” Jang replied with a laugh, “Probably… everything I own.”
Hwasa also chimed in, sharing that she once turned down a similar stock offer from her previous company because she didn’t understand how it worked, saying, “I just told them to keep it.”
The conversation turned into a lighthearted yet relatable discussion about missed financial opportunities and the importance of financial literacy. Yoo Jae-suk concluded on a thoughtful note: “It’s not just about keeping money — if you don’t study and make it work for you, inflation will reduce its value. You have to learn, even a little.”
While Jang Wooyoung may have missed out on a lucrative investment, fans admired his honesty and humor in sharing a story that many could relate to — the “if only I’d known” moment that almost everyone has experienced at least once.