We will continue to row together in the same boat going forward.
SEVENTEEN (S.COUPS, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, THE 8, Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino) once again turned the 'impossible' into a 'miracle.' Beyond merely stamping a contract, the large family of 13 choosing to be 'together' once more is being praised as setting an unprecedented milestone in K-pop history.
On the 4th and 5th, SEVENTEEN's world tour '[NEW_] ENCORE' culminated at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium. World 14 cities, 31 performances, cumulative audience of 900,000. Even by the numbers alone, the record is overwhelming, and the message SEVENTEEN delivered at the end of it was clear and resonated inside and outside the music industry.
They announced they had renewed their contracts with HYBE Music Group label PLEDIS Entertainment Co. In the K-pop scene, it is almost astonishing that a large group of 13 members is approaching a second contract renewal without a single departure. S.COUPS' confession that "the members had many deep conversations and decided to do it together" indicates the depth of trust they have built over the past 10 years.
Unlike ordinary groups that fail to pass the seven-year mark or scatter during contract renewals due to individual activities, SEVENTEEN rather deepened their roots as a "complete group." In particular, Jeonghan and Wonwoo, who are serving in the military, cheering for the members from the audience, seemed to show that the name SEVENTEEN is a shelter for them beyond just a job.
SEVENTEEN cited fandom 'CARAT' as the biggest driving force behind the contract renewal without hesitation. "When a flower falls, an even stronger life is born afterward. SEVENTEEN is no different," their words defined the period of military service and individual activities not simply as a time of waiting but as a preparation period for "new blooming." This is not mere lip service. For idols, fandom can be the reason for their existence. SEVENTEEN is regarded as a team that places particular importance on the "promises" made with fans. A music industry official said, "The belief that the 13 will not break binds CARAT, and that cohesion in turn increases SEVENTEEN's firepower — the smart members know this very well."
Also, SEVENTEEN has grown as a 'self-producing idol' since their trainee days, creating the team's identity themselves. Having spent a long time together, it is presumed that the synergy produced when all 13 work together and the sense of stability felt within it outweighed individual members' ambitions. In the same context, one of the major causes of conflict during contract renewals is the gap between the 'music they want to make' and 'what the company commands.' The initiative that 'self-producing' provides would have been a major advantage for the members.
Even in the heavy rain that poured near the end of the performance, scenes of them passionately singing 'God of Music' and 'Headliner' and connecting with fans showed what SEVENTEEN is aiming for. The members who did not lose their smiles despite being soaked and the fans who protected them suggest that this contract renewal is not a mere extension but a declaration of being 'partners' who will continue to be by each other's side.
The lineup of activities to follow the contract renewal announcement is also drawing attention. Beginning with DK x Seungkwan's 'DxS [soyakok] ON STAGE' on the 17th–19th, S.COUPS x Mingyu's 'CxM [DOUBLE UP] LIVE PARTY' will be held in Kaohsiung on the 24th–26th. While maximizing the capabilities of individuals and units, this is ultimately interpreted as a strategic move to expand the team's reach.
Above all, what fans are eagerly anticipating is the '2026 SVT 10TH FAN MEETING SEVENTEEN in CARAT LAND' to be held at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on June 20–21. Returning to Incheon once more at the threshold of their 10th anniversary, their steps seem to express the will to share the most meaningful moments with CARAT.
[Photo] PLEDIS Entertainment Co. (HYBE) provided.
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