GOT7 singer BamBam has confessed that he wishes to be “properly recognised” in Korea, and has chosen to focus on his Korean solo activities moving forward.

In a new interview with Allure Korea, the singer reflected on the difference in reception in both Korea and his home country of Thailand, saying, “I can walk around [in Korea] with ease.” He then added, “I can’t do anything in Thailand. Not even go outside the hotel.”

When asked if he thought he wasn’t successful in Korea, he responded by saying he “knows” that. Having kickstarted his career as an artist as a member of a K-pop group, it seemed to the soloist that his work as a singer has yet to be acknowledged in Korea. “Overseas promotions are important, but I want to be properly recognised [in Korea],” expressed BamBam, who then told Allure that he would be focusing on solo activities within Korea.

When he turns 28 in 2025, BamBam would then have officially spent equal amounts of his life in both Thailand and Korea. However, the singer shared that he was more acclimated to the latter, rather than his home country of Thailand. He said: ” You know the stuff that are essential to living such as directions and delivery apps? When I go to Thailand, I’m not so sure. The roads are different and I forget how to get on the subway,” in a translation by Soompi. 

BamBam is expected to make his solo comeback on June 15, as confirmed by his agency Abyss Company earlier this week. The project would mark his first solo release since he and his fellow GOT7 member departed from their longtime agency JYP Entertainment in January. Speaking to The Korea Herald recently, the Thai-born K-pop singer said that he would like to “show different sides of [himself]” through his own music.