circleThis year’s Glastonbury Festival performer list includes big names such as Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Shania Twain, but one of the biggest acts to hit the festival’s main Pyramid Stage may be less well known in the UK.
But the 13-member boy band Seventeen made more music last year than any other pop artist in the world except Taylor Swift.
Unlike many other K-pop groups, SEVENTEEN writes much of their own music, making them unique both as a full ensemble and as a group. Three subunits: Hip Hop, Vocals, Performance. In concerts and on albums, they mix full group performances with small group songs.
“We plan to put on a great show that’s true to Seventeen’s style,” hip-hop unit Wonwoo said ahead of Glastonbury Festival.
Woozi leads the vocal unit and serves as SEVENTEEN’s main songwriter. He works closely with the group’s main producer, Bumzu, who is also known as one of the giants of K-Pop.
The band has enjoyed steady success over the years. Their first EP, 17 Carat, was released in 2015. Sales volume It sold 1,600 copies in its first week. Fast forward to 2023, and their mini album FML is Over 4.55 million copies It became the best-selling K-pop album in its first week of release.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which combines streaming, downloads and physical sales, has set the FML as The world’s best selling album Last year, Seventeen was voted number one in the world. second best selling artist In 2023, she will be surpassed only by Taylor Swift.
SEVENTEEN is managed by Pledis Entertainment, a subsidiary of Hybe Corporation, the leading entertainment company behind global sensation BTS.
Their work spans a wide range of genres, from hip hop, EDM, love ballads, to pop anthems. Their discography begins with the bubblegum pop of their debut single in 2015. I adore youFrom the darker, more mature sound of the 2019 song that captured the pure love confession of a teenage boy; fear And last year’s high-energy single wonderful.
This combination of versatility, musical talent and perfectly coordinated performances has earned them a devoted fanbase around the world who are affectionately nicknamed “Carats.”
Fans celebrated the band’s invitation to Glastonbury: “To think that K-pop can now be a part of an event like this… it’s a new feeling for me,” one Carat said.
“This is a huge thing worth celebrating,” said another comment in the online forum. “Just look at the lineup: Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, Seventeen. Incredible.”
The band’s rise reflects the growing influence of K-pop in the global music industry. The genre’s appeal is often said to lie in its catchy melodies, intricate choreography and vibrant visual aesthetics, all of which transcend language and cultural barriers.
Groups like BTS have achieved global superstardom, and Blackpink made history last year as the first K-pop group to headline a major British festival at BST Hyde Park, but it was once a small-time group called Seventeen. The first K-pop group Playing at Glastonbury.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2022, producer Bumzu cited global fame as his ambition for the group, and SEVENTEEN’s Glastonbury appearance will undoubtedly be a turning point in that journey.
Even for audiences accustomed to Western bands, the group’s showmanship and infectious energy will come as a surprise – expect a masterclass in modern pop performance, one that may sound as familiar to you as the other main bands.
