BamBam opens up about how he considered giving up + retiring after leaving JYPE

AKP STAFF

On this week's installment of Big Bang member Daesung's YouTube series 'ZIP Daesung', GOT7 member/solo artist BamBam appeared as a guest, in light of the recent release of his 3rd mini album 'BAMESIS'.

On this day, BamBam opened up about what it felt like to leave his debut agency, JYP Entertainment, and starting over again as a solo artist.

He said, "I was actually thinking of retiring after leaving JYPE. I promoted diligently in Korea for 7 years, yet failed to become acknowledged by the public. So I was thinking at the time, I'll just retire and go back home to live with my mom."

The idol then shared, "But then, I kept getting a contract offer from ABYSS. Most of the other companies that were contacting me at the time were interested in me promoting in Southeast Asia, but ABYSS asked me, 'You debuted in Korea. Don't you want to be acknowledged as an artist in Korea?'. That's when I thought, 'I'll give it one last shot'."

BamBam continued, "And then, soon after that, I was offered a position as a panelist on 'EXchange season 2'. That program changed my life. It's a good thing I didn't retire."

Thinking back on the fame he gained through his funny and relatable comments on 'EXchange 2', BamBam remarked, "I had kind of given up on myself during that time, so I just said whatever came to mind. I didn't realize that people would relate to me like that. I think it's really true that you need to think less and just live your life. Trying to calculate too much in your head won't do any good."

Meanwhile, additionally on this episode, BamBam caused laughter by revealing that his first chance encounter with G-Dragon also occurred around the time he was filming 'EXchange 2'. Upon seeing BamBam, G-Dragon asked, "So what happened on 'EXchange 2'?", to which BamBam replied, "Hyung, I can't tell you that, I'm sorry, but the contract doesn't allow spoliers."