Group SEVENTEEN member Seungkwan said ahead of the finale of MBC The Wonder Coach, "I was happy and honored to be able to be with them as a manager."
Seungkwan said on the 21st through HYBE music group label PLEDIS Entertainment Co., "I am proud that the hard work of all the players who ran hard for 'The Wonder Coach' and the production staff seems to be being rewarded with a lot of love."
He also said, "Watching Coach Kim Yeon-kyung's detailed tactics and coaching through the broadcast, my respect for the coach grew stronger," adding, "If given the chance, I would like to meet the coach and the 'Pilsung Wonder Dogs' once again in season 2. I want to come back as an even more developed 'Bbu manager.'"
In The Wonder Coach, Seungkwan served as the manager of the 'Pilsung Wonder Dogs' and was a great source of energy. He shouted fighting the loudest throughout the games, and when players became discouraged he offered warm encouragement and empathy. Seungkwan split his busy schedule to attend not only games but also training, working to boost the team's morale. Viewers praised him, saying, "You can feel the sincerity," for quietly doing his part where it couldn't be seen.
Seungkwan, who is famously a volleyball enthusiast, also contributed to analyzing the opposing team's strength, showing the qualities of an 'all-round manager.' Ahead of the match against Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, he was able to point out the opposing team's strengths and weaknesses and players to watch like a one-point instructor. The variety-show chemistry with Coach Kim Yeon-kyung was also a highlight. Seungkwan's sense of gauging the coach's mood and adjusting his distance according to the flow of the game brought laughter to viewers.
The Wonder Coach, along with Seungkwan's performance, captured both buzz and ratings by evoking deep sympathy through its differentiated concept as Korea's first volleyball variety show, Coach Kim Yeon-kyung's sincere leadership, and the growth narrative of the 'Pilsung Wonder Dogs.' Episode 9, airing on the 23rd, reveals the result of the showdown between the unstoppable 'Pilsung Wonder Dogs' and last season's V-League champion, Heungkuk Pink Spiders.
Meanwhile, Seungkwan's group SEVENTEEN opens the 'SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN JAPAN' at Vantelin Dome Nagoya on the 27th and 29th–30th. The performances continue on Dec. 4 and 6–7 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Dec. 11–12 at Tokyo Dome, and Dec. 20 and 21 at Fukuoka PayPay Dome.
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