"If 'Blue' can give a small comfort to those who had a tiring or difficult day, I hope it helps."
SEVENTEEN's 'Meboz' Dokyeom and Seungkwan soothe cold winter nights with warm, empathetic music. Through their mini album 1 'Sowaygok', released today (12th) at 6 p.m., the two expressed the theme of 'ordinary love' through emotional storytelling to create an album anyone can relate to.
The title track 'Blue' is a song that expresses 'love with different strides' through Dokyeom and Seungkwan's poignant harmony. In the music video teaser released the day before, actors Iyoo and Noh Sang Hyun appear and portray a couple slowly drifting apart. Iyoo's aching tears and Noh Sang Hyun's melancholy gaze sharply raised global music fans' expectations for the full video.
Dokyeom and Seungkwan delicately captured emotions piled up in everyday life and put them into six tracks. The two, who will show the essence of 'winter ballad,' shared candid Q&A through PLEDIS Entertainment Co.
Q. 'Sowaygok' release impressions.
Dokyeom: 'Sowaygok' is an album that focuses on vocals and allows us to show a new side of ourselves. We prepared for it that much, working hard. I'm excited and nervous to see how CARATs (fandom name) will listen to it.
Seungkwan: Each album feels new every time we release one. While working on 'Sowaygok,' I thought a lot on my own and had many conversations with Dokyeom hyung. Since this is an album prepared while thinking of the CARATs, I hope everyone likes it.
Q. the part you paid the most attention to while preparing the album.
Dokyeom: We put a lot of effort into recording 'Blue.' It took a long time. From the preparation stage we considered it deeply, and there were many points to pay attention to, such as emotional expression and harmonies, so the recording process was not easy. Because we worked on the song with a lot of affection, the sense of accomplishment when it was completed was even greater.
Q. if you had to pick listening points for 'Blue.'
Dokyeom: I think it's a song that suits winter and lets you hear our voices well. Other members also cheered that Seungkwan and I could do it well.
Seungkwan: It's a good song to listen to on the way home from work or while taking a walk alone. Somehow, for those who had a tiring or difficult day, I hope our song can give a small comfort.
Q. impressions of the 'Blue' music video.
Seungkwan: First, we sincerely thank the actors who appeared. The depth of their performances blended with our sensibilities to produce a good result. Since it was produced as a dramatized piece, if you follow the story of the work well, I think the emotion will hit you even more.
Q. introduce each other's solo songs that you participated in writing and composing.
Dokyeom: I worked on 'Rockstar (DK Solo)' inspired by the precious people around me. There are times when we take the people close to us for granted. But in ordinary life I suddenly realized how much strength I get from the people who stay by my side. Through the song I wanted to express my gratitude to those people. At the same time, I completed the song with the hope of sharing this warm feeling with those who, like me, receive encouragement and comfort from someone else.
Seungkwan: In life there are often moments we pass by without noticing hardship or specialness. But looking back, those times often become the most precious and consoling. I wanted to capture such moments in a song. I participated in creating 'Dream Serenade (SEUNGKWAN Solo)' hoping listeners would recall the warm moments in their own memories and feel even a little comfort.
Q. each other's strengths as vocalists.
Dokyeom: Seungkwan is a vocalist who gives strength to listeners. When I hear Seungkwan sing, my heart feels warm. You can feel a coziness that helps you get through a hard day. You can hear that Seungkwan's voice on 'Sowaygok' as well.
Seungkwan: Dokyeom hyung has a really wide range of emotions he can express through song. He can spread a happy virus with a bright voice, and when he sings calmly he gives comfort. So when you hear his songs you sometimes smile, and other times you fall into a wistful feeling. His diverse charms as a vocalist are his strength.
Q. for Dokyeom and Seungkwan, when does the feeling of love hit you most strongly?
Dokyeom: When I meet the CARATs on stage. The stage is where SEVENTEEN and the CARATs become one. It's a space where the CARATs' feelings for us and our love for the CARATs come together. On stage, when we share emotions with fans through song and performance, I feel love and happiness most strongly. Thank you always, CARATs!
Seungkwan: When I think about what 'love' is, CARATs are the first to come to mind. Wanting to give everything without sparing and supporting someone as you look at them — that's love. And when I'm with the members. All 13 of us gathered together to welcome the new year. Even members who were away adjusted their vacations to join. It was purely joyful and happy. I felt certain that 'from now on we will continue to be together thinking of each other.'
Q. a message to fans who waited for 'Sowaygok.'
Dokyeom: I worked on this album hoping it could be a reason someone could answer 'yes' to the question 'Were you happy today?' I hope our sincerity is conveyed well and that this music approaches as a warmth that melts the cold winter. We prepared hard to live up to CARATs' expectations, so please watch our upcoming activities!
Seungkwan: While preparing 'Sowaygok' I kept asking myself what love is. I worked hoping our concerns, sensibilities, and sincerity would reach the CARATs. I hope this album repays the love you give us. Thank you always.
[Photo] PLEDIS Entertainment Co.
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