Come and get it, GOT7! 

The seven-member K-pop group is finally returning after over a year with their comeback single “NANANA,” off their upcoming self-titled EP set to premiere on May 23 at 6PM KST. The forthcoming release marks a new chapter for the group, which first debuted in 2014 under JYP Entertainment. 

The group formally announced their comeback earlier this month, unveiling a series of teasers, including a medley of their new EP—showcasing not only their creative growth as a group but also highlighting the individual member’s strengths, particularly in songwriting. The GOT7 EP boasts songwriting credits from the members themselves, particularly Yugyeom, JAY B (as Def.), and Jinyoung.

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Since their departure from the label in 2021, members JAY B, Mark Tuan, Jackson Wang, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam, and Yugyeom have been occupied with solo activities spanning across music, acting, fashion, and entrepreneurship, just to name a few. 

To prepare for the much-anticipated comeback, here’s a quick guide to what each member has been up to since their more than a year-long hiatus: 

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JAY B

Group leader JAY B has long been active in the group’s creative direction and sound as a producer under his moniker Def. Upon their hiatus, he immediately signed with H1GHR Music, founded by another former JYP Entertainment talent-turned-megastar Jay Park (who has since stepped down as CEO of the company).

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Coincidentally, the pair also share the same first name: Jaebeom. The pair have turned into frequent collaborators on projects like H1GHR Music’s remix for “LOTUS,” originally by Johor Bahru-based rap group FORCEPARKBOIS and a remix of “Hello” by Filipino singer-songwriter James Reid and Taiwanese-American singer and songwriter ØZI. 

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In 2021, JAY B debuted his first solo EPSOMO:FUME. He then followed up with another EP entitledLove, a side project under his producer name Def. In his solo music, the singer, producer, and songwriter refined his R&B-oriented sound. 

Mark Tuan

The group’s eldest member, Taiwanese-American Mark Tuan, returned to his hometown of Los Angeles after training and working as an idol for over a decade. After taking some much-deserved rest, the rapper and singer also tried his hand at solo music in 2021 with his singles “One in a Million” (featuring Sanjoy) and “Last Breath.”

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He also joined forces with South Korean singer BIBI on “Gonna Come Down” and was among the powerhouse artist lineup in the official soundtrackalbum for Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings. 

This year, he continues to release a handful of solo singles: “My Life,” “lonely,” and “save me”—revealing a more vulnerable side to the artist never seen before. Aside from music, he’s also been active on his official YouTube channel, modeling gigs, and has established a Chinese studio for his solo projects. 

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Jackson Wang

Hong Kong multihyphenate Jackson Wang has been extremely busy with activities across Asia. During GOT7’s break, Jackson Wang focused on his own company, Team Wang, which also manages his self-established Chinese hip hop supergroup PANTHEPACKcomposed of himself, The Rap Of China alumnus ICE, Chinese-American R&B singer Karencici, and Taiwanese rapper J.Sheon. 

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Last year, the group went on their first tour in China which spanned cities including Chengdu, Wuhan, and Hang Zhou. Wang has also been consistently collaborating with American label 88rising and made his Coachella debut early this year. Most recently, he made a cinematic video debut with his latest English track “Blow,” following the release of his first English mixtape LOST & FOUND. 

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Beyond music, Wang is also an accomplished entrepreneur, with Team Wang not only operating as a music label but also as a luxury streetwear label featuring his designs focusing on minimalism. He also remains active as a host, endorser, and entertainer in China, earning a top spot on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in Asia. He’s set to debut his album Magic Man soon. 

Jinyoung

While other members have been mostly involved in music, Jinyoung has been growing his impressive acting portfolio in multiple Korean television shows and movies. Since making his acting debut in 2015, he’s now starred in high-profile projects like 2021’s The Devil Judge and Yumi’s Cells. 

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The actor, singer, and songwriter is set to play the lead in a new drama adapted from the webtoon The Witch, alongside actress Noh Jung-ui. Additionally, he’s set to reprise his role in the second season of Yumi’s Cells, which is expected to premiere in June. Jinyoung also co-wrote a song with GOT7’s youngest member, Yugyeom, entitled “Don’t Care About Me.” 

Youngjae

Lead vocalist Youngjae premiered his first mini-album entitled COLORS, From Ars last year for his 26th birthday. Since then, he’s shared videos for tracks off the album including “Vibin” and “Walk With Me”—offering a more R&B and pop-influenced sound via Sublime, the same artist agency that manages soloists like Rain and Yerin. 

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The singer and songwriter also remain active on his official YouTube channel and as a DJ for MBC FM4U’s radio show “GOT7’s Youngjae’s Close Friend,” where his fellow members are set to guest two hours after the release of their EP on May 23. 

While his mini-album is his first official release as a solo artist, Youngjae has lent his talents for songs on official K-Drama soundtracks like “Fall In Love” with Choi Yung Joon which was also for a show his bandmate Jinyoung starred in back in 2020 entitled “When My Love Blooms.” 

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BamBam

Thai member BamBam is another businessman extraordinaire, balancing his endeavors between fashion and music as well. He debuted his first mini-album riBBon in 2021, which featured six tracks and was quickly followed by his second record B earlier this year. 

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B featured exciting collaborations with Pink Sweat$ and K-pop group Red Velvet’s Seulgi. As of 2018, the rapper and singer owned over 50 restaurants in his native country of Thailand. 

In 2021, he was selected by Vogue Thailand as one of 100 influencers in the Thai fashion industry. He was also selected by the renowned Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Thailand as a muse. 

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Yugyeom

Like the group’s leader, the youngest member Yugyeom signed to another label founded by Jay Park, AOMG. His first EP, Point of View: U, was named as one of HipHopDX Asia’s “20 Best Albums of 2021” list. His solo debut includes features from fellow South Korean artists DeVita, Loco, Gray, Jay Park, and Punchnello. 

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Most recently, the singer and songwriter premiered “Take You Down” featuring labelmate Coogie. Early this month, he also embarked on his first solo tour in Europe, which included stops in Berlin, Munich, Oberhausen, Paris, and London, while selling out tickets for Munich and Oberhausen. 

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Read more about the comeback and previous updates here.