Has BTS finally met its match when it comes to K-pop dominance?
Seventeen, an all-male group that made its debut in 2015, is emerging as the biggest force in the world of Korean pop (or K-pop) — and starting to post sales figures that top that of BTS, the group that has become most synonymous with the slickly crafted genre known for its bouncy beats, colorful outfits and tight choreography.
Seventeen’s latest release, the mini-album “FML,” has sold more than 6 million copies to date, according to numerous reports. And that makes it the best-selling K-pop album of all time, beating out BTS’ “Map of the Soul: 7.” “FML” posted sales figures of 3 million on its first day alone.
Still, unlike BTS, Seventeen hasn’t quite broken through the American mainstream, though it’s beginning to build a presence in the U.S. But one thing that is probably boosting Seventeen’s profile is the fact that BTS is currently taking something of a break, as its members pursue individual projects. (That announcement resulted in the stock price of HYBE
352820,
BTS’ management company, to drop 28%.)
With that in mind, here are five things worth knowing about Seventeen, the fast-rising K-pop group.
What’s behind Seventeen’s name?
The name can be deceiving, since there are 13 members in Seventeen. But there’s a rationale to the moniker: Seventeen consists of three sub-units, as in hip-hop, vocals dance. So add up 13 and 3 (the sub-units) and 1 (the group overall) and you have…17.
What distinguishes Seventeen from other K-pop groups?
Lots of attention is paid to the fact that Seventeen is not just a pretty-faced boy band, but an ensemble that takes an active role in all aspects of its music-making. It “is rare for K-pop acts to be so heavily involved in the direction of every album and performance, especially from inception,” Time magazine noted of Seventeen. Woozi, who is part of Seventeen’s vocal unit, takes a big role in writing the songs, while other Seventeen members are involved in the production.
Another key differentiation is the sheer size of Seventeen — with those 13 members and three sub-units. By contrast, BTS has only seven members.
Who are Seventeen’s fans?
They’re known as Carats, a reference to the Seventeen song “Shining Diamond.” Diamonds are measured in terms of carats, after all.
Does Seventeen have a presence in the U.S.?
It’s certainly starting to make its mark in this country. “FML,” the group’s latest album, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 charts. Seventeen has also toured the U.S. on a few occasions, including as part of its “Be the Sun” world tour in 2022.
It’s also worth noting that two of Seventeen’s members are from the U.S. — Vernon is from New York and Joshua is from Los Angeles. There are also two Chinese-born members of the group.
And what about those light sticks?
K-pop fans show their support for their favorite groups by waving light sticks. In Seventeen’s case, the group has a light stick that’s referred to as a “carat bong.” Naturally, it shows off the group’s signature colors — shades known as rose quartz (a delicate pink) and serenity (a soft blue).
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