"Many companies are bullies..." After GOT7 left JYP Entertainment, BamBam opened up about the agency's treatment of the group.
GOT7 BamBam Opens Up About 'Bullying' of K-pop Agencies To Artists, BamBam Praised JYPE
In a recent interview, GOT7 BamBam criticized the current situation in the music industry between K-pop companies and idols who terminated contracts with them.
On March 28, BamBam appeared on the 1theK's original series, "IDDP" uploaded on its official YouTube channel. In the segment, the idol would read various topics about him written and posted on popular online Korean communities and forums by fans and netizens.
Among the topics he encountered, one fan asked how GOT7 can still use their group's name and make a comeback even after leaving JYP Entertainment.
BamBam then replied:
"We bought all the rights to the name. That's why we can do it. JYP also cooperated very well, so we were able to buy our group's name."
While on this topic, BamBam showed his awareness of the current situation in the music scene, contrary to how easily they were able to retain the GOT7 name even outside their original company.
BamBam stated:
"Many companies are bullies. The company can't use the name even if it's owned by them, but it's just that they don't give the name because the artists haven't renewed their contracts. Actually, I don't really understand that part."
He then praised JYP Entertainment, saying:
"So I admit that JYP is a really good company."
In the past, a lot of groups suffered from not being able to use their group names after leaving initial companies due to company rights. T-ARA, Shinhwa and H.O.T are some of them who had to fight their agencies through lawsuits to continue using their names. One team even ended up changing its name which is HIGHLIGHT (formerly known as B2ST).
BamBam also showed off his unchanging closeness with the agency's founder and producer J.Y. Park, narrating:
"Producer Park Jinyoung sometimes makes jokes and teases us, but he's a really good person. I thank and love many people at the company."
GOT7 BamBam Attests Ahgases That Group Didn't Disband
On this day, BamBam continued reading comments and noticed a topic recalling their first No. 1 win with "flight log."
The fan commented:
"It was so much fun to be a GOT7 fan (Ahgase) in 2016."
BamBam answered:
"You can still be a fan now. It's still fun."
One fan also wrote:
"I'll silently cheer for you no matter what path you take. I want to say thank you for the past seven years."
BamBam assured this fan, replying:
"We're still on GOT7. It seems to be a parting notice. I think they left this comment because they were nervous. After all, it was when we left JYP. Don't worry."
Finally, BamBam responded to a comment that said:
"Didn't GOT7 disband?"
With this, BamBam hinted at the team's future plan, saying:
"GOT7 didn't disband. We are going to continue. Now is the time to focus on our individual activities (but) we will do an album or a tour together (soon)."
READ MORE: GOT7 BamBam Names THIS 4th-Generation Idol As His Ideal Type
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Written by Eunice Dawson.