It’s currently winter in South Korea. And in a month where the biting and blistering cold of the season looms, comes seven stars—better known as GOT7—in their latest comeback titled Winter Heptagon. Coined after a real winter constellation and adapted for the septet, this album comes three years since their last back in 2022, a feat that went against the grain as far as industry standards in the K-pop stratosphere go.
Since their collective departure from JYP Entertainment, the seven members, Jay B, Mark, Jackson, Jinyoung, Youngjae, BamBam and Yugyeom, have each been divided in their own agencies and flourishing within their respective solo careers—whilst remaining as a self-owned and self-produced entity with legal ownership of their name GOT7. After recent news emerged of the group reclaiming their older social handles (previously owned by JYP), it’s safe to say the boys are sticking around for a long time—much to the delight of their passionate fandom, IGOT7. Rather than fulfilling a clause on a contract, every time the members decide to work around their solo schedules and congregate as one, it feels more of a testament of their brotherhood and a time where they reunite as family.
In the nine-track album, one can easily glean the tenacity and specific charms of the seven members. Literally, as each track has been composed by every member. Versatility has always been a strength of GOT7 and it shows in their title track, ‘Python’, written by BamBam. Led by a fierce hip-hop groove and a slick melody that screams angst, yearning and nostalgia, the music video is a visual splendour of the boys breaking through their present success to time-travel back to the good ol’ days where they simply were just kids goofing around (do we dare say an easter egg to reference the famed fan song ‘Playground’ in their debut album?). As an 11 year-old group that’s been, in recent years, working disparately on their solo careers, their teamwork and music chemistry remain impeccable, whilst each member reveals a grown, better version of themselves—thanks to what they each have achieved in their individual discographies.
Here are ten thoughts I had whilst listening to GOT7’s Winter Heptagon.
- You can’t listen to ‘Python’, without being distracted by its music video. And rightfully so, because those are seven visuals. But beyond that, the references are rampant; specific scenes taking us back to GOT7’s previous MVs like ‘You Calling My Name’, ‘Never Ever’ and ‘Hard Carry’. I love that even in 2025 as K-pop veterans, past their ties with JYP Entertainment, the group is able to pay homage to the hits that have made them who they are today.
- Bright GOT7 in hits like ‘Nanana’ and ‘Lullaby’ is cute and fun. Great. But dark GOT7? Sweet as sin. The excellence in ‘Python’ is that the song builds and builds: Jinyoung catching us off guard with that punchy pre-chorus, Mark and Jackson spitting bars before the maknaes, BamBam, Yugyeom and Youngjae ride the pinnacle of every chorus. “I know I’m an icon” has never rung truer in GOT7’s case.
- ‘Smooth’ cruises in like a groovy soundtrack you have enroute on a road trip, and it has Jackson’s signature stamped all over it. Whilst deceivingly simple, the falsettos in the verses and the undeniable rasp of Jackson’s in his vocal delivery are what makes this track live up to its name.
- Like its creator Youngjae, ‘Our Youth’ is bursting at the seams with hopeful possibilities and motivational speak that urges the members to keep going whilst sticking together. It’s clear what his intention was whilst making this track—it’s an uplifting message for his members. If there’s any doubt, Mark’s rap that affirms: “Come and get it” and “7 for 7” will prove this much. Then there’s the satisfying parts of the two main vocalists Youngjae and Jay B harmonising in this one.
- A familiar hook. The running trance-like beat. ‘Remember’ is reminiscent of what Yugyeom has built in his solo work so far, entrenched in the hip-hop and R&B record label that is AOMG. And to no one’s surprise, the distinctive voice of each member falls nicely into it.
- It’s the R&B serenade that one particular member is known for. Leader Jay B flexes the romantic in him in ‘Darling’; but instead of dialling up the sensual as he so typically does in his own albums, the song leans sweeter as an innocent love song as he is heard softly crooning “please baby” throughout the song. Like many of the tracks in the album, it is the pre-chorus sung by Youngjae that leaves quite the imprint as a earworm.
- As if ‘Python’ wasn’t enough of a banger from BamBam (whose name aptly translates to ‘snake’ in Korean), he delivers another soothing hit ‘Tidal Wave’ accompanied with a low-fi beat. Yet again, GOT7’s harmonisations are a blessing in this one—best to enjoy with headphones on.
- If there was a bop that sounds like it belongs on American radio, it would be ‘Out The Door’. Under the influence of Mark, no doubt, the result veers pop-punk, which is probably the first time for GOT7. And by the sounds of Jay B, Youngjae and Jackson, something we definitely have been sorely missing out on.
- The opening guitar melody will tell you this much: we’ve arrived to the emotional part of the album. Of course, headed up by Jinyoung, ‘Her’ softly chimes of regret and love lost. It’s a tortured song to cry to right up to the point where Jackson belts out powerfully, as the track deftly hits its crescendo—accompaniments transitioning the song seamlessly from heartbreak to acceptance and a silver lining.
- Alas, the end. This fan song does hurt a little more than its predecessors like ‘Encore’ and ‘Thank You’. Maybe partly from ‘Yours Truly,”s heartbreaking lyrics to how tenderly each member tends to their own part, or how fans of GOT7 know it will be a long time before another group comeback rolls around. No matter the years that await us, the truth in this song says more than anything: “If you always wait for me in that same spot/Even if it takes a long time to be by your side/I will definitely come back someday, I promise.”
