SEVENTEEN is everywhere you look — on stages, on screens, on TV. With the advantage of a large group, their units and solo activities, as well as group promotions, are thriving, so even their "military hiatus" hasn't slowed them down.
The biggest topic in SEVENTEEN's activities is their world tour. SEVENTEEN opened the curtain on SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on the 13th and 14th.
Tickets sold out during pre-sale alone, and about 54,000 spectators filled the seats over the two days. Living up to their pledge to "continue to grow," they proved their reputation as performance masters with solo stages for every member and a fresh set list.
The shows continue in major cities around the world. SEVENTEEN will perform at Hong Kong's largest venue, Kai Tak Stadium, on the 27th and 28th. Locally, large-scale fan experience events commemorating the concert will be held. A huge drone show at Wanchai Beach Park, the first by a K-pop artist, along with a variety of programs, will take place at several Hong Kong landmarks. SEVENTEEN will then continue the tour in five North American cities in October and at four dome venues in Japan from November to December.
A new unit is also set to launch. Hip-hop team members S.Coups and Mingyu will form a team and release the mini album HYPE VIBES on the 29th. The new record is filled with the two's tastes and sensibilities. It is the result of their participation in writing and composing every track themselves.
The previously released track sampler included a song that interpolates Roy Orbison's hit Oh, Pretty Woman, sparking curiosity. S.Coups and Mingyu said they captured the diverse "now" moments of everyday life and expressed them through music and video.
S.Coups and Mingyu have revealed a broad musical spectrum through various unit songs such as Leaders and Wonwoo X Mingyu, in addition to group albums. SEVENTEEN's fifth full-length album, released in May, included solo tracks Jungle (S.COUPS Solo) and Shake It Off (MINGYU Solo), showing the polish of an 11-year artist.
Their buzz was all but guaranteed. A challenge video released earlier on social media as a spoiler has already surpassed 20 million views. They've even been dubbed "SEVENTEEN hot guys."
On screen, Chinese member Jun is active. He will present the film PoPungchuyeong, in which he stars, today (19th) in the Busan International Film Festival's "Open Cinema" section. Jun plays Hu Feng, a key member of a criminal organization.
The previously released trailer featured a scene in which he faces off with legendary action star Jackie Chan, raising expectations. The film opens officially on the 20th, and Jun will meet audiences by attending stage greetings and a special GV at major Seoul theaters on that day and the next. Tickets sold out immediately after booking opened.
Variety show genius Seungkwan will return to living rooms with MBC's Shinin director Kim Yeon-kyung, which airs every Sunday at 9:10 p.m. starting on the 28th. He will transform into the team manager of the newly formed volleyball team Filled-with-victory Wonderdogs, made up of underdog players, and is expected to be active off the court.
Known as a hardcore volleyball fan, many are eager to see what chemistry he will show with Filled-with-victory Wonderdogs. Through MBC, Seungkwan said he is grateful and honored to participate in the program as a volleyball fan and as a fan of player Kim Yeon-kyung.
In this way, SEVENTEEN is active as individuals, units, and as a group with no weak link. Starting with member Jeonghan in September last year, then Wonwoo in April, and Woozi and Hoshi on the 15th and 16th serving their defense duties, SEVENTEEN's "military hiatus" shows no signs of stopping. SEVENTEEN is thriving now.
[Photos] OSEN DB, Pledis Entertainment, tvN, stills from the film PoPungchuyeong
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