Active 3rd Gen Idol’s Money Concerns Expose Top Agency’s Alleged Neglect
While it is easy to assume that popular celebrities do not face financial hardships, this is not always the case. Recently, GOT7‘s Yugyeom surprised fans with his admission of facing financial worries, leading to criticism of his past agency.
GOT7 debuted in 2014, and are one of the many third-generation groups credited with helping to spread K-Pop around the globe. The group were the first K-Pop group to win several distinctions and went on many record-breaking tours around the world.
The group are also known for remaining a group despite leaving JYP Entertainment in 2021 while juggling their solo activities.
Recently, Yugyeom completed the US leg of his Trusty world tour and, while in America, sat down for an interview at the University Of Southern California as part of Billboard‘s artist spotlight series.
At the end of the interview, Yugyeom was asked if he wanted to offer any advice to the students at the school, to which he answered that they should give their all into things they do to avoid having regrets.
He then talks about his own life experiences, mentioning there was a time that he didn’t have any money though he is now his family’s breadwinner. He adds that during the time the COVID-19 restrictions were strongest, he did not have any work and that he was always looking at his bank account.
Yugyeom went on to say that because of this spare time he was able to do some activities that ultimately led to his joining AOMG.
While Yugyeom’s message is inspiring and makes sense, many fans were left questioning a specific part of his advice. With GOT7’s success and popularity, fans were confused over the idol’s worries about his finances.
But how is it possible?did j*pe scammed them?When pandemic hit they still had comeback & those comeback were one of their highest sales, j*pe also restocked their old albums & YG wrote/composed many famous G7's songs so he should get royalties since fans didn't stop streaming https://t.co/2jIT63mElg
— Mitsi❄🔗⁷ᶠᵒʳ⁷ (@Mitsi281) April 9, 2025
Wait …. I don't understand… was JYPE not paying him??? https://t.co/cTVb8l1pdR
— ☾ate ♡ (@Cateaclysmic) April 9, 2025
Wait a sec, but this was back in jyp? How didn’t he have any money? The group had 2 comebacks that year unless he wasn’t being paid https://t.co/oD9JoghzOl
— Lisa Dean (@LisaDea94902284) April 9, 2025
Many criticized JYP Entertainment for also not promoting GOT7 at that time, as other groups under the agency were active even under restrictions.
they locked him in the basement and made him do vlives every day 💔 https://t.co/W9WC9t1pQC
— 🌙 (@wangdelion) April 9, 2025
This made sense since he is the first one to be announced that he is moving to aomg. Jype omg u suck like real bad because why tf wouldn't you give your artist A JOB FOR A LIVING??😭 https://t.co/AIxb8VCuI7
— Kevina (@EASYEXPRESS0) April 9, 2025
No this is making me so sad 😭😭 jyp barely gave him any schedules outside of group activities and he was struggling but he always did a vlive throughout the entire pandemic which helped most of us to stay sane 😭😭😭😭😭 my baby 😭💔 https://t.co/E79AQssz8K
— tess 🧸❄️ (@wooyoberrry) April 9, 2025
