Why is SEVENTEEN so popular?
It’s no coincidence that SEVENTEEN has become one of K-pop’s most prominent names; their eye-catching performances and group cohesion has made their rise to global stardom almost inevitable. So what exactly have SEVENTEEN done to become so popular?
Maestro Photo Sketch. Image Credit: Pledis Entertainment.
If you were to ask which K-pop groups were a dominant force in 2024, SEVENTEEN would undoubtedly be high up on that list. SEVENTEEN have had an incredibly successful year in music; winning several awards, beginning a world tour, lending vocals for the trailer of BBC’s natural world documentary ‘Asia,’ and most notably, becoming the first ever K-pop act to perform at Glastonbury. It seems as though this big year has signified their transition to mainstream pop culture from K-pop.
Who are SEVENTEEN?
Formed under Pledis Entertainment, SEVENTEEN is a boy group consisting of 13 members: S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The 8, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino.
Amongst the 13 members, each member is part of a specific team that categorises them as rappers, singers and vocalists respectively: the Hip-Hop Team, Vocal Team and Performance Team. Aside from the main group there are also two sub-units: BSS (consisting of DK, Seungkwan and Hoshi), and JXW (consisting of Jeonghan and Wonwoo). Each member has a role to play in the group that contributes to the full picture we see.
The group made their debut on May 26, 2015 with their EP ‘17 Carat,’ which saw almost instant success on the charts and amongst fans. Since then, they have consistently put out hits, with some of their notable releases being their debut song “Adore U,” “Very Nice,” “Don’t Wanna Cry,” “Clap,” “Left & Right,” and “HOT,” amongst others.
SEVENTEEN have seen consistent popularity both domestically and internationally, with more recent years showing their transition from K-pop spaces to mainstream pop. So, what makes SEVENTEEN stand out above the rest?
Self-Producing Idol Group
SEVENTEEN pride themselves in being one of the few ‘self-producing’ idol groups in K-pop. For most idol groups, music production, songwriting, choreography, and performance management are often done by specific professionals; idols mainly give vocals and perform. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing and is a practice not just in K-pop, but also in global pop culture.
The issue with this, however, is that it adds to the idea of the ‘manufactured’ image idol groups tend to carry. Self-producing in this context means that members of the group are involved in aspects of music production and performance management, which can create a sense of authenticity.
From debut, members of SEVENTEEN have had a hand in the creative process of all their music and performances—Woozi being the main songwriter and producer (with contributions from other members) and Hoshi being a co-choreographer. Members being a part of the production process gives them the creative freedom to experiment with different sounds, choreography styles, lyrical themes, and concepts which breaks away from the typical ‘manufactured’ image.
17 is Right Here Concept Image. Image Credit: Pledis Entertainment.
SEVENTEEN are known for their experimental and diverse music style in each of their releases which has also helped to establish their identity in K-pop. Having this distinct identity is what makes them recognisable from others in the industry.
Performance and Choreography
If there is one thing SEVENTEEN are easily recognised by, it’s their visually appealing performances and choreography.
Having 13 members in a group is particularly advantageous, as it gives choreographers more room to experiment with levels and formations to build an engaging performance with unique visuals. All 13 members are put to good use with clean transitions and impressive formations. Watching one performance from SEVENTEEN will make you realise how well synchronised they are as performers; at times it’s almost hypnotic. It’s clear that they fine tune even the smallest details that go a long way when you watch a performance in real time.
Their versatility is also something that can’t go unnoticed. Over the years, SEVENTEEN have experimented with several different concepts that are reflected in their performance and choreography. Choreography like “Very Nice” or “Left & Right” are upbeat, and easy for everyone to follow, but have also followed more mellow styles like “Don’t Wanna Cry” that uses elements of contemporary dance and flowing transitions to create an emotionally impactful narrative.
It’s without a doubt that when it comes to performance, SEVENTEEN will always deliver in ways that are fascinating for both K-pop fans and general audiences alike.
Global Appeal
Another key contributor to SEVENTEEN’s international success would be their efforts to reach international audiences. From debut, the diverse national identities of each member allowed for more representation in their group that could resonate with their audience. With members Vernon and Joshua being Korean-American and Jun and The 8 being Chinese, they have tapped into a market of international fans which, at the time of their debut, was not as heavily invested in as we see today.
This diversity has also allowed for linguistic representation alongside visual representation. SEVENTEEN have released music in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English. Having two English speaking members, two Chinese speaking members, as well as all members being fluent in Korean and able to perform in Japanese, meant that the group could break down any cultural and language barriers to expand their audience. This has played a very pivotal role in their rise to mainstream pop culture (amongst other aspects), especially as they are becoming more widely recognised amongst non K-pop listeners.
Being multilingual has not only helped to connect with international audiences, but has given SEVENTEEN more opportunities to collaborate with international artists on projects; for example, working with American music producer Marshmello to create “SOS,” or their most recent endeavor with BBC Studios Natural History Unit. Communication is the most important aspect of music, and through careful member selection pre-debut and multilingual releases, SEVENTEEN have managed on a bigger scale.
Whilst these three points at their core reflect the reasons SEVENTEEN have been able to grow at a rapid rate, there are so many more reasons why they have been, and still are, popular. What can be said for certain, is that their versatility as a group, willingness to take creative risks and flawless performance are at the core of the group's identity.
It goes without saying that SEVENTEEN have made their mark as one of K-pop’s most innovative and performance driven groups. Their dedication to their craft is evident in all aspects of their music and performance, from meticulously crafted lyrics to precise choreography that has captivated fans worldwide. From such a versatile, authentic and talented group, what is next to come will definitely be nothing short of extraordinary.
Edited by Maia Anselmo.
