K-pop group GOT7 marked their tenth year as a group today, January 16.
The group, composed of Jay B, Mark Tuan, Jackson Wang, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom, debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2014 with the single "Girls Girls Girls" and became one of the top K-pop acts in their era.
In 2021, all seven members didn't renew their contracts with their label. They are now successful soloists signed under different agencies but still remain as GOT7.
Now that they're celebrating their 10th anniversary, the members paid tribute to their fandom known as Ahgase or baby bird in Korean.
Photos of the members as well as their handwritten letters were shared through their social media. The boys expressed their love and gratitude to their fans through their letters.
GOT7's leader Jay B assured fans, "We'll try our best to come back to you all with a good album as soon as possible. Until then, please continue to love and support us.”
Mark reminded everyone to take care, “Until we return as a group, everyone take care of your health and live happily every day.”
BamBam hopes the group can stay together for many more years, "I love you Ahgase, always be my little baby birds. Thank you for always being by our side. Please continue to protect us until the end. Let's make it to 20--even 30 years!"
Jackson thanked their mentors and Ahgase, "I want to thank Jimmy the CEO and J.Y. Park for guiding me through as seniors and as parents in the industry." He also thanked his fellow members, saying "I want to say thank you to my members, for being the partners in the battle. Being brothers since trainee days." He also apologized to their fans for all the moments that caused worry "such as gossip and scandals."
Youngjae promised fans of their comeback. "We all want to come back healthy, and sing, dance, and have fun in front of you all. Please wait for us."
Jinyoung made sure to send his love all the way from the military. "We'll be here like now, so let's just trust each other and go on together. I will complete my military service in good health and return home."
Recently, Mark was in Manila for a solo concert as part of his "The Other Side" Asian Tour. During the show held in the Skydome of SM North EDSA, he mentioned, “We're still GOT7. Hopefully, one day, we can come back and visit you guys.”
Check out these nostalgic posts from GOT7:
MEANWHILE, GET TO KNOW GOT7 IN THIS GALLERY:
GOT7 is a flagship boy group formed by South Korean agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE), which debuted in 2014. Initially, JYPE founder Park Jin-young wanted to name the group “GET7,” but immediately retracted from the idea because it didn't sound right.
The group is comprised of seven members, namely JAY B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, Bambam, and Yugyeom, and was named GOT7, which means “seven lucky people coming together.”
While GOT7 only made its debut in 2014, the group's history goes way back to 2009, when members JAY B and Jinyoung passed the JYPE open auditions. The duo made their debut in 2012 through the television drama 'Dream High 2' with actor Park Seo-joon.
Following their acting gig, JAY B and Jinyoung debuted as the pop duo JJ Project with their single “Bounce.”
Lim Jae-beom, otherwise known as JAY B is GOT7's leader, main vocalist, and lead dancer. Known for his b-boying dance skills, JAY B initially wanted to become a dancer but developed his passions for singing and songwriting through his training. He is credited in GOT7's most popular tracks including, “Look,” “Eclipse,” “Page,” and so much more.
When he's not writing for GOT7, you can find some of his tracks on SoundCloud under the name DEFSOUL where he collaborates with different Korean artists. JAY B is also very passionate about the arts. In 2018, he collaborated with member Yugyeom for an art collaboration titled “Collaboran.” Two years later, he also held his first solo photo exhibition titled “Alone.”
JAY B is also one of the most charitable idols as it was reported that he donated 10 million won to the Pohang Earthquake Relief Fund in 2017, and another 10 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association” during the height of the pandemic.
Tuan Yi En, otherwise known as Mark Tuan, is GOT7's main rapper, sub-vocalist and visual. Mark was born in Los Angeles, California, and is fluent in English and Korean. Since debuting with the group, Mark began writing rap and lyrics for GOT7's songs beginning in the Just Right era with the track “Back To Me.”
Aside from his booming career in the music industry, Mark showed great interest in fashion as he launched his career as a model across Asia. Thanks to his increasing presence in the Chinese market, he has become one of the most bankable brand ambassadors for several brands including Davines, Mentholatum, and China Unicorn.
But what is most remarkable about Mark is his big heart. He has provided support to those in need by donating either through his clothing line collaborations, music singles, and so much more. Have we mentioned that he even donated $1,500 for the victims of Typhoon Ulysses here in the Philippines?
Hong Kong native Wang Jia Er, popularly known as Jackson Wang, is the main rapper and visual of GOT7. Before becoming an idol, Jackson was a member of the National Fencing Team of Hong Kong thanks to his parents, who are both Olympians and athletes.
Jackson is noted for being the member who has appeared in a number of variety shows thanks to his charisma and extroverted personality. In fact, when he appeared in the SBS reality show 'Roommate,' his popularity skyrocketed, earning him the Best New Male Variety Newcomer Award at the SBS Entertainment Awards in 2014.
Three years later, Jackson pursued other interests outside the K-pop industry by releasing his first solo album in China and building his own company named Team Wang.
Just last year, Jackson was named one of Forbes Asia's 100 Digital Stars of 2020, which highlights singers, bands, and film and TV stars across Asia who have “taken the digital world by storm.”
Park Jin-young, known mononymously as Jinyoung, is the lead vocalist and center of GOT7. Since childhood, Jinyoung had ambitions to become an entertainer, which led him to start learning how to dance and eventually, auditioning for JYPE.
During his debut with JJ Project, Jinyoung bore the name “Jr.” or “Junior” since he shared the name with JYPE's founder. It was only in 2016 when he announced he would go by his given name.
Jinyoung is known for his sweet vocals and his acting abilities. He has appeared in many successful K-dramas like 'When a Man Loves,' 'My Love Eun-dong,' 'Legend of the Blue Sea,' 'He is Psychometric,' and 'When My Love Blooms' -- all binge-watch worthy.
In 2020, it was reported that Jinyoung donated an undisclosed amount of money to the animals affected by the wildfires in Australia. Later in the year, he also donated 20 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help flood victims in Korea.
Kunpimook Bhuwakul, known professionally as Bambam (sometimes Double B), is the Thai rapper of GOT7. Growing up, Bambam loved listening to K-pop and idolized singer Rain (thanks to his mom), which prompted him to win first place in a Rain Cover Dance competition in 2007.
Aside from music, Bambam has shown interest in the arts by producing a few videos for GOT7, including the lyric video “You Are” and the self-edited video “My Year 2018.” He has also launched his own clothing line doubleB in collaboration with Represent, and all the proceeds of the campaign were donated to provide safe drinking water. He is also a spokesperson of UNICEF Thailand against child abuse.
Since his debut with GOT7, Bambam is known for being one of the most popular celebrities in his home country, endorsing brand after brand, from telecommunication companies to clothing and so much more. He loves dabbing, saying the word "skrrt skrrt," and belting out Ronnie Liang's “Ngiti.”
Kim Yug-yeom or Yugyeom is GOT7's main dancer and vocalist. Despite being the maknae of the group, a lot of people confuse Yugyeom to be the oldest, thanks to his height and mature appearance.
Yugyeom is known for his precise dance moves that earned him first place in the dance competition “Hit the Stage” in 2016, besting other idols like NCT's Ten, MONSTA X's Shownu, and BLOCK B's U-Kwon.
Like his members, Yugyeom is credited as a writer and composer to a number of GOT7 songs including “See The Light,” “No Jam,” “Us,” “Crash and Burn,” and “Poison.”
In June, Yugyeom stood in solidarity with the Black Community and made donations to the Black Lives Matter Fund following the footsteps of his hyung, Mark Tuan. While he did not disclose the amount he has provided, the GOT7 maknae shared the screenshot of his donation to the international human rights movement and used his platform to stand up against racial injustice.
While JJ Project proceeded with their debut, Mark, Jackson, Bambam, and Yugyeom made their debut together as a group also. They made their first television appearance in the fourth episode of Mnet's survival show 'Who is Next: Win', where the then-JYPE trainees competed against YG trainees. You can check out their performance on YouTube.
Completing the group is the final member Choi Youngjae, professionally known by the mononym Youngjae, who is GOT7's main vocalist. Youngjae had an interest in becoming a singer at a young age to the point that he even enrolled at a practical music academy in his hometown in Mokpo to learn more professionally. In 2011, he won the Vocal Excellence Award at Mokpo Youth Music Festival.
Following his successful audition in 2013, Youngjae was added to the JYPE boy band after only seven months of training. Besides being a singer, Youngjae is also a composer under the name Ars, a radio DJ and now an actor, who will soon make his acting debut in the Netflix sitcom 'I Wish The World Would End Tomorrow.'
Like the other members, Youngjae uses his star personality to give light on certain issues. In 2020, he donated 15 million won to a non-profit care center for abandoned dogs and pledged to become an organ donor.
On January 16, 2014, GOT7 made their official program debut through Mnet's M Countdown by performing their debut single “Girls Girls Girls” from their first EP 'Got It?' Shortly after their debut, GOT7 shot to the #1 spot on Billboard's World Albums Chart. The group also signed a contract with Japan's Sony Music Entertainment where they did a showcase program in front of 9,000 fans.
GOT7 was described as a hip-hop boy group that incorporates martial arts and b-boying styles in their performance. Because of this, they were first compared to their seniors, 2PM, who are known for their acrobatic dance moves.
GOT7's follow-up songs, like 'A' and 'Stop Stop It,' bore a more experimental style as the group flaunted their brighter sides to their audience. This created a more multi-layered experience for listeners proving that there is something more to them than meets the eye.
Following their releases, GOT7 continues to surprise listeners with their tracks that range from colorful to dark like 'Just Right,' 'If You Do,' 'Hard Carry,' 'Look,' and 'Lullaby.' At this point, the members have become more involved than ever when it comes to contributing to the composition and lyrics of their tracks, which carried a brand new sound different from the typical K-pop sound.
In 2016, GOT7 broke chart records with their track 'Fly,' which charted #15 on Billboard's Year-End World Albums Chart and #6 on its Year-End World Albums Artists Chart. GOT7 also became the first Korean act to chart on Billboard's Artist 100 since Psy.
In 2017, JJ Project returned to the music scene when they released their EP 'Verse 2' that contained the lead single 'Tomorrow, Today.' The track continues to be a crowd favorite among GOT7 fans.
The following year, the group's second unit called “Jus2” was formed--composed of JAY B and Yugyeom--for their first EP, 'Focus.'
GOT7 also released their back-to-back EPs, 'Spinning Top: Between Security & Insecurity' and 'Call My Name' on the same year. The latter became a titular point for the group as they became the first artist from JYP Entertainment to sell over 100,000 copies on the first day.
In December, it was announced that the Bangkok leg for their 'Keep Spinning' World Tour at the Rajamangala National Stadium sold out within two hours, a dream that GOT7 fans made happen for Thai native Bambam. While the concert has been postponed due to the coronavirus, we're sure that their fans will continue to make it happen -- anything for these boys!
The year 2020 did not slow down GOT7 as the group made their comeback, not once but twice. In April, the K-pop boy group released their 11th EP titled 'DYE,' which has sold over 450,000 copies, becoming their best-selling album.
In November, they also released their fourth studio album 'Breath of Love: Last Piece, which contained two title tracks that were written by members JAY B and Youngjae, as well as songs composed by all the members.
Whatever variety show, red carpet, or reality tv show you put GOT7 in, make sure to prepare yourself because if you put these seven together, there will be chaos everywhere.
Whether it's Jinyoung's judge face or JAY B's random expressions, or even Jackson's surprising look… there's a meme bound to have you laughing on the floor.
As we've mentioned earlier, every single member of GOT7 has their solo endeavors aside from performing as a group. We stan multi-talented men.
GOT7's official fandom name is IGOT7, shortened as Ahgase, which means that fans have "gotten" GOT7. This connotes that only fans of GOT7 can receive not only the member's love but also their luck. The group's official color is green.
In January of 2021, GOT7 members JAY B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, Bambam, and Yugyeom have decided not to renew their contracts with JYP Entertainment.
Since departing from JYP Entertainment, several members of GOT7 have already signed contracts with different agencies. These include Youngjae and Jackson Wang under Sublime Agency, Jinyoung with BH Entertainment, and Yugyeom for AOMG.
Meanwhile, LA boy Mark Tuan returned to his hometown in California where he is planning to make his name. Days after his arrival in Los Angeles, it was announced that Mark had established his own studio and even released a new single titled “One in a Million” with singer Sanjoy.
On February 20, GOT7 surprised their fans with a rebranded look of their logo and a new song titled “Encore” promising fans that they will remain as one unit. The song is also GOT7's first release under their new label Warner Music Korea.
On January 18, 2022, Bambam released his second mini-album 'B,' along with the music video for the lead single "Slow Mo." The song was co-written by BamBam and American singer Pink Sweat$.
On January 21, 2022, Taiwanese-American rapper Mark Tuan dropped the music video for his latest single "My Life."
GOT7's Jay B dropped his first EP under the name Def titled 'Love' and the music video for the title track "Sunset With You" on January 26, 2022.
Just three weeks after Jackson Wang released his eight-track mixtape 'Lost & Found" on March 7, 2022, the K-pop idol dropped his new English song "Blow." The song was the first taste of his upcoming album 'Magic Man.'
According to a JoyNews24 report, GOT7 confirmed that they will be making a full comeback in May and have started preparing for the final stage of their new music.