Why did GOT7 truly leave JYPE? Jay B reveals tempting offer made by old agency
After a year of hiatus where the members were focusing on their solo careers, GOT7 is back with a bang. And it is an immediate success as the self-titled album became their best-selling album yet as it crossed 191k sales on the first day itself. ‘GOT7’ also debuted at #1 on Worldwide iTunes and European iTunes while it topped in 83 countries in the first 24 hours. Even the self-composed title track ‘NANANA’ did well as it was #1 on iTunes in 57 countries. And along with tons of cheerful content and performances, GOT7 also got candid about their hardships.
We first had all of the members sharing that they were confident GOT7 would last forever with busy members like Jackson and Jay B adding that despite their solo careers, GOT7 would always be a priority. Fans were heartbroken when Jinyoung revealed that he almost left the entertainment industry and was unhappy because he felt his actions were fake. And now GOT7 got honest about what really went down while discussing contract renewal with JYPE and how they ended up becoming the first K-pop group ever to successfully own their own trademarks and copyrights.
READ MORE
GOT7 reveal reunion comeback was in the works since 2021, wanted to reunite as 7
GOT7 assures ‘team’s eternity’, K-pop fans flex 'they will never disband'
Jay B and Youngjae share why GOT7 left JYPE
Ahgases (GOT7’s fandom) were impressed when it was revealed that Jay B had been involved in the legalities to transfer their trademarks from JYPE to all of the members. Trademarks are an important aspect of K-pop groups as we have the likes of CUBE and Source trying to bar Highlight (BEAST) and GFriend from reuniting without their approval as they tried to trademark their names. First-gen groups Shinhwa and g.o.d are in a decades-long battle to get back their names from their former agencies without much luck. Fortunately, JYPE and GOT7 were on good terms with Jay B thanking their former agency for the smooth transition of trademark ownership.
And while GOT7 was on good terms, they shared why they left JYPE in the first place. Jay B explained to GQ Australia that they were given enough freedom at the agency and the renewal offer was good but different, “Our way and JYP’s way, it was just different. The way they looked at our solo promotions was different. I understand because JYP is a big company but, for me, I wanted more of a role in my work. I’m not trying to be a superstar, I just wanted to be me.” Youngjae too agreed that they got to shine as soloists only after leaving, “The members are all people who could have shone a lot brighter but we just didn’t have that opportunity.”