Following their departure from JYP Entertainment, GOT7 members finally reunited and revealed the true reason they decided to leave the agency.
Here's what the septet said.
GOT7 Reveals Real Reason They Left JYP Entertainment
On May 24, GOT7 sat down for an interview with GQ Australia where the septet revealed some behind-the-scenes stories of how they were able to come back as a self-owned group after leaving JYP Entertainment.
GOT7, JYP logo (News1)
GOT7 debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2014. Since then, they rose as one of the representative boy groups in K-pop with hit releases such as "Just Right," "Lullaby," and more.
During the talk, the "NANANA" singers talked positively about their former company as Jay B said:
"JYP was not a place that was too restricted. We enjoy breaks and we could rest properly during a rest period. We have our own space."
Despite this, they opened up about the conflicts they faced during the contract renewal process with their former agency.
According to leader Jay B, although JYP Entertainment presented the group with good offers to make them remain in the company, these didn't align with the path GOT7 wanted for the group and solo careers.
Due to this, the company and members' creative differences became one of the reasons they decided to leave.
"It's not like the offer was bad, but GOT7 and JYP's ways are just different."
Jay B (News1)
Jay B continued to explain that the team desired to have more control over their works, particularly in their solos to reflect their individual colors apart from their color as GOT7.
The "Nostalgia" singer highlighted:
"I just wanted to be me."
But in this case, JYP Entertainment failed to give this opportunity to the group, ultimately becoming the reason GOT7 decided to pursue independence.
Youngjae (News1)
Youngjae agreed and further stated:
"Each of us is the main character of our own story and life [...] The members could have shone brighter (in their own way) but we didn't have that kind of opportunity. We do when we perform as soloists."
Despite this, Jay B still emphasized the importance of having a structure that just freedom.
"It's not good for artists to only think about the personal aspect that's why company's opinions are needed as well. It's just about finding the middle ground."
GOT7 Successfully Obtains Full Trademark Rights of the Group
GOT7 (Twitter)
Meanwhile, GOT7 attested their desire to continue promoting as a group amid solo careers.
In fact, they made their first-ever comeback with their self-titled EP on May 23 after being officially a self-owned group.
This means that the septet obtained their full trademark rights from JYP Entertainment and are now legally allowed to use their unit names, copyrights and listings.
As of May 12, all seven members owned the full trademark rights to the group.
GOT7 (News1)
On the other hand, GOT7's new mini-album topped iTunes album charts in 83 countries and regions around the world, including Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico, France, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Colombia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Vietnam.
The title song "NANANA" also showed its potential after taking first place on iTunes song charts in 57 countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Nepal.
