Ahgases, how are we holding up? Despite how happy we are to find out that Got7 is finally free after the announcement that it won’t be renewing its contracts with JYP Entertainment, we can’t deny that the end of an era is making us a little (OK, a LOT) emotional.
From monster rookies to seven men who know what they want and excel in various projects, Got7 (JB, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam and Yugyeom) has grown so much and we’re sure that it’ll continue to make us proud under different agencies. We’ve laughed and cried along with them since 2014 and we plan on continuing to do so for the years to come.
While we wait for them to reunite (Is it too early to say this considering the boys just performed on the Golden Disk Awards yesterday?), we look back on some of our favorite content from the boys.
“A”
“A” isn’t Got7’s first music video (that title goes to the “Girls Girls Girls” MV) but it’s our favorite from the group’s releases in its debut year. The track is from its second EP titled “Got Love” and the video features pre-debut Sana of Twice. It’s the type of fun, fresh and goofy content that cemented Got7’s place as one of the most entertaining third-generation K-pop groups.
The boys don’t get enough credit for their success as rookies but Got7’s first EP “Got It?” actually took the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s World Albums Chart when it came out. Considering how they were up against artists such as 4Minute, Rain and SISTAR, this was definitely a power move for the boys.
“Dream Knight”
Remember their web K-drama titled “Dream Knight”? The show stars Song Ha Yoon (“Fight For My Way”) as an orphaned girl with a degenerative disease who meets magical boys who help her snag a boyfriend and win a high school dance competition. It features a rivalry between JB and Jinyoung, who debuted as actors on “Dream High 2” before Got7 was formed, that any aghase shouldn’t miss out on.
“Just Right”
One of the definitive K-pop tracks of the 2010s, the “Just Right” music video is just as memorable as the ultra-catchy song. It features miniaturized Got7 floating on top of cereals, hanging out with a Barbie doll and dancing on top of a little girl’s dresser. Even if you’re not stan, you’ll surely recognize it if you’ve been watching those iconic K-pop music video roundups on YouTube. It’s a feel-good track that’s sure to brighten up your day.
“Flight Log” album series and the “Fly Tour”
The first of the group’s “Flight Log” trilogy album series, “Flight Log: Departure” marked a sonic and visual change for the group. With it, Got7 became the first K-pop act to enter the Billboard Artist 100 since Psy. It showed a more emotional side to Got7 and gifted us with “Fly.” With the track, the boys entered the Billboard year-end World Albums Artists chart along with BTS in 2016. Only G-Dragon, Shinee, 2NE1 and EXO have achieved the feat before them.
The series’ appeal is how it’s largely a personal project for the group, boasting of songwriting credits from the members. “Flight Log: Turbulence,” the second in the series, contained the explosive lead track “Hard Carry.” Billboard called it the group’s most tumultuous album when it came out.
Got7 also went on the “Fly Tour,” their first world tour, in 2016. (Did you fly out to be part of the Asian leg of the tour? We’re highkey jealous) We saw the boys go wild and cry during their ending ments.
Series ender “Flight Log: Arrival” had the group looking more polished than before. With the track “Never Ever,” Got7 proved that it can evolve along with the K-pop sound that has gone into a more synth-y direction.
Yugyeom on “Hit The Stage”
As the group’s main dancer, we all know that Yugyeom has some impressive moves and he was able to showcase this when he joined the “Hit The Stage” dance contest. He danced on top of a poker table and had LED light shoes on to showcase his footwork. He didn’t come to play, and win he did.
“7 for 7”
Popular opinion: “7 for 7” is Got7’s sexiest album. When the “You Are” and “Teenager” music videos came out, my reaction was along the lines of “They were so insane for this.” JB being a composer for both the hit songs is a testament to how he’s one of the industry’s gems. Some of the album’s themes are youth and nostalgia. Listening to it is like going on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
For the sake of brevity, we won’t be able to write separate entries for the albums from “Eyes On You” to “Breath of Love: Last Piece.” However, know that we fully believe that hits like “Look,” “Lullaby,” “You Calling My Name” (with its gorgeous choreography) and “Last Piece” have all contributed to making Got7 one of the most formidable acts in K-pop.
JJ Project
When JJ Project had a comeback in 2017, it was a welcome surprise. The vocal duo’s “Verse 2” EP contained the mellow pop track “Tomorrow, Today” that had a delightfully picturesque video where JB and Jinyoung went on a countryside trip. It’s the type of music that’s fit to be on the soundtrack of a coming-of-age K-drama.
Jus2
In comparison, Jus2 creates the type of music that you play at house parties. The duo (JB and Yugyeom) pairs their alternative R&B sound with eye-catching (and at times trippy) visuals. The “Focus On You” music video plays with a/symmetry and makes for a really satisfying watch.
Team Wang
Jackson has achieved a lot with Team Wang. He has an ongoing deal with Fendi and has even performed on his own Jackson Wang x Fendi event. When he released his first solo single “Papillon,” it came as a bit of a shock. His sound has changed into something less rap-heavy which is very evident in the dance track “Pretty Please.” He has also worked with 88rising artists on songs like “Walking” with Joji.
Collab stages
A few years ago, award shows and year-enders were more gracious in providing us group collab stages. Got7 was among those with truly epic stages. The group performed “Moves Like Jagger” with Winner, Red Velvet and Lovelyz. It prepared a hip-hop dance stage with BTS and Vixx, and sang “Fantastic Baby” with Monsta X. And who can forget the multi-group performance of “Don’t Stop Me Now” where JB showed how much of a rockstar he is?
Variety shows, reality shows and guest appearances
As mentioned earlier, Got7 are master entertainers. They’re funny, clever and game for anything. It’s no wonder that the boys have had a ton of their own shows and have appeared on several others. From “Hard Carry” to “I GOT7,” the boys have played lots of games and accomplished lots of challenges for aghases. (It’s really heartbreaking to think that we might not get to have more of these.) They’ve also gone on shows like “Knowing Brothers,” “Weekly Idol” and “After School Club.” Thank you, generous kings.
BONUS: Jackson’s cameos in K-pop fanfic
Jackson has made a reputation as the funny guy who has a ton of friends in the industry. (We definitely miss seeing more of his bromance with same-age friend RM of BTS.) K-pop stans have been including him as a character for fanfiction in different fandoms because of this. It has become a bit of an inside joke that Jackson is always holding fictional parties in K-pop college AUs. We hope that he continues to make cameos as a party god.
Got7 has given us so much and we won’t forget the memories we made with them. We’re definitely forever aghases.
Photo screengrabbed from the “Just Right” music video
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