GOT7 is one of the most popular K-pop boy groups, known for their catchy music, impressive dance moves, and charming personalities. While many fans love and support them, there are still some fascinating facts about the group that even dedicated followers might not know. Let’s dive into 10 interesting facts about GOT7 that will surprise and delight you!
1. A Group with Global Roots
GOT7 is truly a global group, with members coming from different parts of the world. While some members are Korean, others bring international flavor to the team:
- Mark was born in Los Angeles, California, to Taiwanese parents.
- Jackson is from Hong Kong.
- BamBam hails from Thailand.
This diverse mix of backgrounds adds to the group’s worldwide appeal and helps them connect with fans from various cultures.
2. The Story Behind Their Name
The name “GOT7” has an interesting origin. Initially, the group was going to be called “GET7,” but it was changed because it didn’t sound quite right. The name “GOT7” actually has a connection to another famous K-pop group called g.o.d.
Park Jin-young, the founder of JYP Entertainment, was originally supposed to debut with g.o.d as a six-member group. At that time, they used the working name “Got6.” When creating GOT7, they kept a similar name but added the lucky number seven to represent the seven members coming together.
3. Martial Arts and Dance
When GOT7 first prepared to debut in 2014, they were described as a hip-hop group that would include martial arts tricking in their performances. Martial arts tricking is a cool mix of martial arts moves and acrobatics.
All the members trained in tricking before their debut, but because of injuries, they had to change their concept a bit. In their early days, mainly Mark and Jackson did the tricking moves in performances. Over time, the group focused less on tricking and more on their impressive dance skills, but they still incorporate some exciting moves in their shows.
4. BamBam: The Restaurant Owner
BamBam isn’t just a talented singer and dancer; he’s also a successful businessman! In 2018, he revealed on a TV show that he and his mother own a chain of Korean restaurants in Thailand. At that time, they had about 50 locations.
Today, it’s believed that BamBam might own as many as 80 restaurants. He also has his own café called B’Chill in Bangkok. It’s amazing to see how BamBam has expanded his interests beyond music and into the business world.
5. Mark’s Unexpected Irish Connection
Mark’s background is already quite international, with his Taiwanese heritage and American upbringing. But here’s a surprising fact: Mark has some Irish ancestry too!
During a live broadcast, Mark shared that his mother told him about having Irish ancestors from many generations ago. This might explain why he sometimes has a slight reddish tint to his hair. It’s a fun and unexpected part of Mark’s diverse background.
6. Jay B’s Memory Loss Experience
Jay B, the group’s leader, once had a scary experience when he was in high school. While practicing b-boying (a type of street dance), he accidentally landed on his head instead of his hand during a move.
This accident caused him to pass out for 10 minutes. When he woke up, he couldn’t remember how he got hurt. Even more worrying, he couldn’t remember the PIN to enter his house or recognize his friends at school.
Thankfully, his memory started coming back after a while. Jay B later said that if he ever lost all his memories of GOT7 except one, he’d want to keep the memories of their early trainee days together.
7. The Fandom Name Origin
GOT7’s official fandom name is iGOT7, but fans are more commonly known as “Ahgase.” This nickname has a cute story behind it.
Mark came up with the idea for Ahgase. In Korean, iGOT7 is pronounced “ah-ee gaht se-beun.” Mark shortened it to Ahgase for simplicity. Interestingly, “ahgase” also means “baby bird” in Korean. Fans loved this cute connection, and the nickname quickly became popular.
8. Almost a Different Member
It’s hard to imagine GOT7 with different members, but the group’s lineup wasn’t always set in stone. Before debuting with MONSTA X, Shownu was actually a trainee at JYP Entertainment and was originally planned to debut with Jinyoung and Jay B.
When Shownu left the company, Jinyoung admitted that he cried. While fans love GOT7 as they are, it’s interesting to think about how the group might have been different with Shownu as a member.
9. Their Impact on Social Media
GOT7 has had a significant influence on social media platforms. They inspired two popular features on Twitter:
- The green heart emoji: Fans started using the green heart to show support for GOT7, as green is their official color.
- The “7” hashtag emoji: When users type #GOT7, a special “7” emoji appears, which was created because of the group’s popularity on the platform.
These features show how GOT7’s influence extends beyond music and into the digital world we use every day.
10. Animal Lovers in the Group
Many GOT7 members are big animal lovers, especially when it comes to cats and dogs. Here are some fun pet facts about the members:
- Jay B is a cat dad to five adopted cats: Nora, Kunta, Odd, Baireu, and Cake.
- BamBam also loves cats and has four of his own: Pudding, Latte, Cupcake, and King.
- Youngjae has a cute little dog named Coco, who has become quite famous among fans.
The members often share photos and stories about their pets, showing their softer sides and bringing joy to animal-loving fans.