GOT7 Will Leave JYP Entertainment After 7 Years

After weeks of speculation, JYP Entertainment officially confirmed that superstar group GOT7 will leave the company after seven years together.

JB, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom debuted as GOT7 under JYP Entertainment on January 16, 2014. They went on to achieve international fame as a top-tier third generation K-pop group, releasing favorites like “You Calling My Name,” “Hard Carry,” and “Lullaby.” GOT7’s final performance of their contract took place at this past weekend’s Golden Disk Awards, where they picked up a best album bonsang.

“JYP has held thorough discussions with the GOT7 members ahead of the expiration of their exclusive contract on January 19. As a result, both sides have agreed not to renew the contract while hoping for a fresh future,” the company wrote in a statement, per Soompi. “We genuinely thank GOT7 for being part of the growth of K-pop and JYP, as well as I GOT7 and all fans who have been a source of motivation to GOT7’s activities with their endless support since their debut. Our official relationship ends here, but JYP will sincerely cheer on the new future that the GOT7 members will advance into.”

Meanwhile, the group collectively uploaded the same picture of themselves with the caption #GOT7FOREVER on their personal social media pages to reassure fans that they would continue to support one another and work together in the future. As oldest member Mark Tuan put it in a heartfelt message to fans, “The past 7 years have been the best years of my life. Nothing is coming to an end, just the beginning. The seven of us are going to continue to bring you guys the best version of us till the end. #GOT7FOREVER.”

Outside of their work in GOT7, the members have already made their mark with notable solo endeavors. JB produces under the pseudonym “Def”; Mark models; Jackson has his own company Team Wang; Jinyoung has won awards for his acting; Youngjae is a DJ and songwriter; BamBam recently performed a song for an OST and continues to be a prominent spokesman in Thailand; and Yugyeom is a talented dancer who won the show “Hit The Stage.”

While not yet officially confirmed, Dispatch reported that Jinyoung and Yugyeom are allegedly in the final stages of signing contracts with actor agency BH Entertainment and AOMG (Jay Park’s label), respectively, while Youngjae is reportedly in discussions with Sublime Artist Agency. Jackson will continue under Team Wang, while BamBam and Mark are reportedly in talks with various labels as well as possibly founding their own companies (Los Angeles native Mark will also possibly return to the U.S. and start a YouTube channel). Leader JB has allegedly been approached by two major labels.

While it appears that in the immediate future GOT7 will focus on individual activities, it also seems like this isn’t officially a disbandment — our fingers are crossed that Ahgases haven’t seen the last of GOT7 as a seven-member unit. Until that happy day arrives, we’ll be screaming “GOT7” right along with BamBam.

Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.

Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: GOT7 Talk “Breath of Love: Last Piece” and Growing Together