Seventeen's Sound Is Evolving — But They Haven't Changed

Contrary to the name of their most recent single, Seventeen aren't afraid. Unless there's a bug in their vicinity — then maybe some members are a little afraid. (Sorry, DK.) Although for the Korean boy categorize, there's nothing inherently scary about maturing their music, trial and error with new sounds, or exploring darker themes. It's the organic progression of things for an audience of 13 young twentysomethings, most of whom debuted as buoyant teenagers four years prior. Males eventually become males, and "Fear" is the potent manifestation of such growing pains.


The song is striking for its subtleties. The hook hits hard, nevertheless the hollow whispers and soft falsettos from vocalists Jeonghan and Joshua are what make it compelling. It's the realization that true power doesn't come from heavy drops and bright, effusive melodies nevertheless from these quieter moments. Their third studio album, An Ode, is a reflection of this. Standout songs like "Lie Again" and "Second Life" (from the group's vocal unit) are soft and delicate, nevertheless no much less dynamic. It's a prismatic sound confidently crafted by member Woozi, the group's main producer, as well as his friend and frequent collaborator Bumzu. And it's a sound that will evolve and mature with future releases, as Seventeen continue to expand behind the limits of what people think they're capable of.


MTV News caught up with the members of Seventeen — S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon, Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, Seungkwan, Hoshi, Jun, The8, and Dino — amidst the Japan leg of their Ode To You world tour to talk about this developments of their sound, their personalized fears, their preference tracks on the album, and the simple joys that make them happy.


MTV News: Your single "Fear" really signifies Seventeen's growth, musically and creatively. It's perhaps your most intense concept. How does "Fear" match where Seventeen are at right now as a group?


S.Coups: Out of the several emotions we possess as a crowd, we wanted to express our inner fear through this new track. We’re very thankful for the positive responses, as we know it’s quite different from what we typically release. We attempted to express the current Seventeen, and the several emotions we have felt, or are feeling, through this album.


MTV News: The lyrics of the song liken fear and self-doubt to "poison." Did you doubt yourself at all while in the making of this album? What did you do to quell that anxiety or doubt?


Woozi: I don’t think we really felt doubtful about this album. Our music is maturing with us, and there’s routinely a reason and intention beyond a track, so we were quite confident in a way. We did feel a little bit pressured, although, as quite some time has passed since our debut and expectations are growing as well as our responsibilities. It’s tough to conquer the fear of not being able to make top quality music, however since our fans are constantly supporting us and giving us energy, we increase more strength.


MTV News: What is something you're afraid of, personally?


DK: I’m sort of afraid of bugs with plenty of legs.


Mingyu: I’m also afraid of bugs, although my biggest fear isn't being able to carry out anything anymore.


MTV News: "Fear" is a heavy song, emotionally, however it's sonically quite soft. Jeonghan, your voice suits the song really well because of this. What was it like recording it?


Jeonghan: Since “Fear” is quite different from what we typically do, there were a lot of characteristic I had to imagine. I tried a lot of different things to express the emotion of fear and enhance the complete track’s vibe. Woozi and Bumzu were directing the recording, so they gave me fantastic feedback while in the process.


MTV News: The music video is gorgeous as well. Joshua, there’s a scene where you’re covered in glitter? What was it like filming that?


Joshua: That was actually a very complicated scene to do. The reason is because that scene had to be properly shot in one cut. Immediately following the music video visual team put a bunch of glitter on my head I flicked my head back as shown in the music video. Thankfully, it came out great.


MTV News: Do you have a preference highlight from the music video shoot?


Wonwoo: Starting from the starting of the music video, we portrayed our inner fears. I think the most memorable segment of the music video has to be the opening part where we all drink poison together.


MTV News: As an efficiency, "Fear" is quite breathtaking. How would you describe the choreography for this one? Would you mention it's your most sensual performance?


Hoshi: Thank you for the compliment! Alternatively opposed attempting to show off our sensual side, we wanted to create ensure the choreography completely expressed our inner fears and darkness so we wanted to create it strong. I guess a lot of people felt a sense of restrained sexiness because of the intensity of the performance.


Dino: The choreography for "Fear" is quite fresh. We attempted to make use of the lyrics and beat in a complex manner. To increase the excellent class of the efficiency, we all focused on our facial expressions as well.


MTV News: What were you most excited to showcase in this latest album, An Ode?


Woozi: We expressed our inner fears this time, and also a lot of people spoken about how we changed. However in the event you picture it, our inner fears are also piece of Seventeen, so it could be good if people can visualize this as an expansion of our genre as an alternative. We plan to continue attempt to show newer sides of ourselves, so listeners can continue to look forward to our music.


MTV News: I really love "Lie Again." It's another really soft song that speaks to some very deep and painful emotions. Vernon, there's a line in this song that mimics your part in "Don't Wanna Cry." What was it like revisiting that?


Vernon: Any time we were working on the 2nd verse, Bumzu and Woozi wanted to begin out my part with the word "사랑해" ("I love you"). That’s how my part begins in “Don’t Wanna Cry” as well, so I freestyled it to the part we were working on as a joke. We were actually stunned by how well it fit. I love how it certainly creates an immediate link to the two songs. I feel that those sort of correlations contribute to a solid and attractive storyline.


MTV News: The message of "Let Me Hear You Mention is really sweet. I'd like to know: What brings you comfort soon after a tough day?


Seungkwan: I think find comfort any time As soon as I take a walk right after sunset while listening to music.


MTV News: Vernon, you helped compose "Second Life" for the vocal unit. What was that experience like?


Vernon: I didn’t do much really. I was just happy Bumzu and Woozi wanted me to participate. I do more lyric writing and that’s what I typically work on with them, so composing only was a fresh experience. [I] certainly hope to do more.


MTV News: Do you ever think about what could be doing in the event you had a second life? If there was a chance to do something other than what you're doing now?


Hoshi: I'd like to be like the wind, having no emotions or any sort of greed, and travel around the world.


Dino: If I were place on Earth again, I want to be a bird, so I can freely fly the sky.


The8: I want to be myself again, if I were to be place on Earth again.


MTV News: "Network Love" is a fun unit song! As a unit, how would you describe your dynamic?


Jun: I think the unit is diverse in various ways. As for a new unit, every member has their own individual charm, so even if we do a random raffle, I think any blend that comes out will be fresh and fun.


The8: “Network Love” expresses how although we are all separated, we are all connected and can interact together. I’m not sure if I can mention it’s our dynamic, yet I hope people can receive positive energy from this unit. Personally, I want to make design a new unit with Vernon.


MTV News: "Back It Up" is already a fan-favorite track. What was the inspiration beyond the song? Personally, I love the reference to Salvador Dalí and surrealist expression.


Mingyu: The beat itself is energetic so we really admired it and we’re glad that our fans are also adoring it. I think we put a lot of thought into how we would express the phrase "back it up."


Vernon: Thanks for recognizing that line. I just kept thinking of the general mood of the song. I attempt to go with the flow, and random words and phrases come to me. It may would be its relevance to the subject, or because I like its nuance, or simply because it rhymes. It’s fun trying different things.


MTV News: "Snap Shoot" is also a song that speaks to the simple joys of being with someone you love. What's an eas pleasure that makes you happy?


DK: Staying in bed watching a movie?


Joshua: an eas pleasure that makes me happy is probably drinking a glass of wine while taking a bath immediately after a hard day of work.


Seungkwan: Having a hearty breakfast vitamins and also a Iced Americano before going to work!


MTV News: The last time we spoke you mentioned that all the members have been hitting the gymnasium pretty hard because "HIT" was so physically demanding. Is that still the case?


Joshua: Yes, certainly. Most of our members who have began working out since "Hit" still regularly go to the gymnasium. Going to the fitness center right now has become more of a habit for us.