The behind-the-scenes story of how the group SEVENTEEN (S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, THE 8, Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino) selected the title track for their fifth full-length album was revealed for the first time.
SEVENTEEN on the 21st released the third episode of the documentary series "SEVENTEEN: OUR CHAPTER" on Disney+. The broadcast that day clearly documented the deep deliberation surrounding the full-length album 5, "HAPPY BURSTDAY," and its title track, drawing attention.
Members who had earmarked "HBD" as the title track for the fifth full-length album and continued album work fell into a dilemma one day. Woozi's "THUNDER" emerged as a new candidate for the title track. Woozi said, "It's autobiographical and unadorned, a story that becomes convincing the moment SEVENTEEN sings it. I'm confident musically," but he did not make a unilateral decision. Instead he said, "The kids need to be able to sing it enthusiastically for the synergy with the music to be maximized," and actively listened to the members' voices.
Members' opinions also tilted toward "THUNDER." Jun said, "I was a bit surprised when I first heard this song because it was different from the songs Woozi had worked on before," adding, "After hearing how he worked on this song, I became even more certain." Seungkwan also said, "I thought it was a song that could show a sleeker SEVENTEEN. It's literally a 'New Challenger,'" showing his affection for "THUNDER."
In fact, "THUNDER" topped major music charts immediately after its release and swept eight trophies on music shows. Its popularity overseas was also strong. The song landed on major global charts, including Billboard's "Global 200" and "Global (excluding U.S.)", which rank popular songs across more than 200 countries and regions, as well as the U.K. Official Charts' "single downloads" and "single sales" and Billboard Japan's "Hot 100."
The work on the album tracks was as intense as that on the title track. Under the theme of "stories about me," the members completed solo songs on the fifth full-length album that contain each person's reflections, concerns and goals. In particular, Woozi's words, "I don't want to become obsolete. Even after 10 years, I wanted to show that we're still a group people look forward to next. It's a starting point toward becoming a team whose 20th anniversary is anticipated," raised expectations for the new chapter SEVENTEEN will face.
At the end of the video, SEVENTEEN's definition of CARAT, the fandom name, left a lasting impression. When asked "What is a CARAT?", the members answered with responses such as "companions walking toward the same place" (S.Coups), "best friends who have grown together" (Joshua), "saviors" (Seungkwan), and "our everything" (Vernon), delivering a deep resonance. The eagerly awaited final episode of "SEVENTEEN: OUR CHAPTER" will be released on Nov. 28.
SEVENTEEN is meeting fans around the world not only through the documentary but also through their world tour. They will hold "SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] IN JAPAN" starting at Vantelin Dome Nagoya on the 27th and 29th–30th, and at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Dec. 4 and 6–7, at Tokyo Dome on Dec. 11–12, and at Fukuoka PayPay Dome on Dec. 20 and 21.
[Photo] HYBE, provided by Walt Disney Company Korea.
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