GOT7 leader Jay B (Lim Jae-beom 임재범) recently opened up about his past experiences as an artist under JYP Entertainment. He not only expressed pride in the group's accomplishments but also acknowledged that the public seems largely unaware of the substantial revenue they generated for the company. Despite having left JYP Entertainment to take charge of his solo music career, his close relationship with the agency's founder and producer, Park Jin-young (박진영), remains strong, with the two still meeting privately, drawing renewed attention to their mentor-mentee bond.
In an interview on October 27, Jay B discussed GOT7's past contributions to JYP Entertainment's revenue. "It feels like we worked our way up from the basement to the third floor, and we actually generated a lot of revenue," he stated. "It's just a shame that this isn't widely known." His remarks not only affirmed the group's past achievements but also highlighted GOT7's significant role in the company's growth.
GOT7 debuted in 2014 as a boy group under JYP Entertainment and remained active with the company for many years. After their exclusive contracts expired in 2021, the members gradually began their individual careers. Following his departure, Jay B became more actively involved in shaping his musical direction. Currently based at his agency 528Hz, he personally participates in planning everything from solo album concepts and music production to stage design, aiming to create works that align with his artistic vision.
Discussing the differences after leaving a major agency, Jay B noted that large companies have ample resources for larger-scale projects and robust risk management capabilities. However, he added, artists' autonomy in creative work and scheduling can be limited. He explained, "Big companies can collaborate on very large projects and manage risks well. But, relatively speaking, autonomy and independence are lower."
Regarding his experience with independent development, Jay B admitted that while it offers more autonomy, it also means bearing all responsibilities. He said, "Working alone, you certainly have a lot of autonomy and independence, but I believe you also have to take full responsibility for everything. This is the biggest difference I've felt, and it's truly significant." His words highlight the practical challenges artists face when pursuing creative freedom after leaving major agencies.
Interestingly, despite Jay B's departure from JYP Entertainment, his relationship with Park Jin-young has not soured. He revealed that before the release of his latest single, he met Park Jin-young for a meal, where they discussed their recent lives and music.
Jay B also shared that he was initially nervous and hesitant to play his new song for Park Jin-young, even worrying about being scolded and almost abandoning the idea. Ultimately, he mustered the courage to play the track, and to his surprise, Park Jin-young loved it, which came as a great relief.
Jay B further disclosed that while Park Jin-young had complimented his songs in the past, this was the first time he proactively asked, "Do you have a choreography video?" After watching the choreography video, Park Jin-young expressed his appreciation even more clearly. Jay B chuckled, saying he immediately felt it was very much in line with "Jin-young hyung's" usual style.
From his past activities under JYP Entertainment to now independently steering his musical direction, Jay B not only takes pride in GOT7's achievements but is also steadily forging his own creative path. Even though they are no longer affiliated with the same company, his ability to freely exchange music and share works with Park Jin-young highlights their enduring friendship, which continues to garner significant attention.
