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elle japan (2025)

elle japan (2025)

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dicon (2025)

One regular day
MINGYU shook his dishevelled hair as he got out of the car, checking his appearance through the car window. Then, he quickly turned around at the reflection of the staff from the window. “Oh! It’s been awhile,” he said with a grin, and entered the shooting site after a pleasant start. The room was cozy, with bright sunlight streaming in through the windows. Bear plushies placed atop the white bed, and traces of gaming all night scattered across the floor.MINGYU wore jeans and a shirt. As the shoot started, he nonchalantly sat on the bed. Freely moving around and creating a relaxed atmosphere. Then suddenly, upon seeing a white cotton ball running in, he burst into a smile. The white cotton ball ran towards MINGYU with all the strength in its short legs. [The puppy] jumped up and down between MINGYU’s legs, as if it were asking to be hugged.“What are you, a doll?” MINGYU fell in love with the puppy from the moment he saw it. He hugged the puppy whose tail wiggled frantically. He kissed, pet, and held it tightly in his embrace - wriggling with the puppy for quite a while. He worked hard kneeling on the ground in order to win the puppy’s favor. However, the puppy’s attention… MINGYU expressed that it was a shame, “[The puppy] only looked at the treats, not me.”The room echoed full of laughs. That was a regular day for him.The border between light and dark
This time, MINGYU took out the calm face hidden behind his innocent one. The space where the darkness fell was serene. A faint light streamed through the window.WONWOO and MINGYU sat across from each other at a long table. The flickering candlelight illuminated the two of them. They looked into each other’s eyes. Everytime the candlelight flickered, the facial expressions of the two became distinct, and would become faint again. In the silence, only their gazes met. The two lifted their glasses and took a sip– eyes still focused on each other. Then, a quiet smile spread across MINGYU’s lips. In the midst of the flickering light, the silhouettes of the two crossed the boundary between darkness and light.During the break, MINGYU changed the vibe [of the shoot] with his face full of playfulness. Despite joking around with the staff without hesitation, he was serious only when discussing the shoot with the director. Due to a staff’s mistake, a reshoot of the Polaroid had to be done. As MINGYU watched what was happening, he said, “I knew it. We can just take another one, right?” and smiled. Up until the reshoot, everything went smoothly. It was said that the motherly smiles from the production team never left their lips.Housemates
MINGYU and WONWOO are housemates. The time that the two people spent at home was captured. The late night, mischievous and cheerful moments.After raiding the fridge for a late night snack, they began to play a competitive game. Whilst swaying to the rhythm of his favorite songs, he shares what happened throughout his day with WONWOO on the sofa. [A moment] livelier than any other. It felt like capturing the daily life of the two more than a shoot. Rather than being conscious of the camera, WONWOO and MINGYU both enjoyed the moment. It was the most fulfilling concept, as MINGYU also said “It came out well.”When the toy car was taken out as a prop [on set], the tension between the two quickly arose. Each enthusiastically chose which car they each wished to ride. MINGYU loaded his big body into the small car, continuously in awe. “It’s really cute. This actually moves? It’s so fascinating - such a tiny car and yet it still moves even if I ride it,” MINGYU said, laughing like a child. Upon seeing the tangerines, he attempted juggling them. His eyes twinkled with a sudden proposal, “I’ll head home if I successfully [juggle the tangerine] five times.” (It was said that he brought the tangerines up to the waiting room to practice juggling.) His child-like mischievous attitude lasted all throughout the shoot. He carried the popcorn bucket prop and ate some, saying “Ah~ This is a problem. I’m supposed to be on a diet but I can’t stop [eating].”WONWOO laughed upon seeing that, as if he were used to it. The two people captured each other directly with their cameras. I wonder what they actually look like at home? MINGYU expressed that it was a shame, “Hyung and I are the type to often spend our own time separately. We have a lot less time to spend at home due to our schedules.” Even then, he feels at ease because they’re together. MINGYU said, “Not being alone in itself is reassuring. I feel a lot of stability whenever I’m with hyung.”A night of fantasy
MINGYU’s night had come. A fire ablaze outside. MINGYU showed his toughness with his leather jacket. When he asked, “I don’t look like a gangster, right?” everyone burst into laughter with his unpredictable [question]. A natural evening shoot. Thanks to that, the shoot started again cheerfully. MINGYU’s expressions had changed, showing a sharper face than before. His visuals were cold, but the set was hot. On this day, MINGYU brightened up [the atmosphere of] the shoot with his cheerful energy. He approached all the staff first with his cheekiness. Because of his tall height, he was considerate of everyone with his manner legs from start to finish.MINGYU is different on and off stage. (On stage) He’s endlessly cold, while (when he gets off stage) he’s absolutely hot. That kind of extreme side of MINGYU is what [we] wanted to show in DICON– MINGYU’s polar beauty. MINGYU expressed, “I think I change a lot depending on whether I’m on or off [stage]. When I’m working, I get immersed in music and performing. When I’m not, I surprisingly become comfortable and show a lot of aegyo.” In reality, he was full of aegyo from start to finish [of the shoot]. After the shoot finished, he hugged the staff and greeted them saying, “see you next time!” When MINGYU was told that he worked hard, he replied, “I’m not tired. The fans will like it, right?” Today’s shoot was a gift for the fans. He said, “My biggest driving force is CARATs. My job is working to show [myself], and if there’s no one there to look, then I’d have no driving force.”“If fans like us then that’s all that matters. Rather than explaining it in words, I want to repay them directly with results. Since the DICON shoot is also something only for CARATs.”John Mayer’s “Stop This Train” was played on set. The acoustic guitar performance created a calm vibe. The source of the sound was from the back pocket of MINGYU’s jeans. MINGYU focused on his work while listening to his favorite music. Come to think of it, the song resembled MINGYU. It feels like it represents the story he’s walked through in SEVENTEEN. This song sings about the process of accepting the speed and changes of time that goes by and finding his own life. The 10 years that MINGYU has accumulated have passed by.“Looking back, I think I’ve overcome the time well until now. That’s why I’ve been feeling mixed emotions.” In no time, MINGYU has become a singer in his 10th year. He said, “So much has changed to the point that [it feels like] nothing has changed. The 10 years of time has made him stronger and sturdier.After all, I’m me
MINGYU caught everyone’s attention with his superior appearance. Being 178cm tall, he overwhelmed the attention of the people around him with his extraordinary proportions. The moment he enters, even the air in the space changes. However, people who meet MINGYU fall for his aegyo first before his appearance. [Others] have said that he is full of consideration and humor. The words “the same” and “unchanging” are added as bonuses. The staff especially enjoyed being on set with MINGYU. A staff member of SEVENTEEN shared, “MINGYU has always been bright and cheerful. He’s a friend who brightens up the surroundings with his positive mindset.”MINGYU has now learned to focus ‘more’ on himself. For instance, the scene at the beginning of his debut was a battlefield. He was restless and anxious. It seemed like he was fighting(?) against everyone else, not himself. MINGYU said, “I still monitor myself on stage even now. Sometimes, I rewatched our past stages as well. How should I say this? I was really eager to show [myself] off,” and laughed. Back then, you just had to do that. Maybe he didn’t know if that was the right thing to do. He just had to, as he had [tried] to stand out amongst 13 members. At the same time, he had to prove his skills.“Some people will notice [me] if I did well on my own. Right now, I think I’m definitely relaxed. When it comes to music, I’ve been constantly thinking about the charm of my voice and my image.”You just simply have to draw the time
The single album in K-pop with the highest sales
The first in K-pop to accumulate over 5 million copies for its initial sales
The highest ranked among foreign artists on the Oricon Chart
Ranked in Billboard 200’s top 10 for 6 consecutive timesThese are the records that have engraved SEVENTEEN’s name in the world.
Those numerous records have proved MINGYU’s time.
What’s more meaningful with their unique achievements
Is the approximately 3600 days spent with CARAT.MINGYU emphasized, “I just want to show a better side of myself to CARATs in the future. I want to show it consistently.” To MINGYU, the most important thing is now. Rather than dwelling on the glories of the past or only dreaming of a bright future, he wants to focus on the present. He said, “When 2025 came, I felt strange. There were definitely tough days [that I had gone through], and looking back, I overcame it well and thought that I enjoyed [those days].“I don’t want to define where I am right now. I’m just focusing on the present and cherishing every moment. I’m trying to enjoy life.”Music is our breath
MINGYU has been a singer for 10 years now. As a singer, and a human, he has grown that much. He disclosed, “So many things have changed since then. To the point that there’s nothing that hasn’t changed.”He said, “The biggest change is coming to think about the future a bit more realistically. I’ve come to dream (about the future) more systematically than before.” Though everything has changed, one thing remained unchanging– his continuous love for music. He’s still the happiest when he’s on stage.MINGYU said, “I want to keep growing and improving.” As a hiphop team rapper, he boosted the energy of SEVENTEEN. He also opened up new possibilities by playing an active part as a vocalist. In particular, his mellow voice peaked through ‘Bittersweet’ which he sang with WONWOO, and his cover ‘Glimpse of Us’.MINGYU is still refining and polishing. He doesn’t slack off in finding a better tone [for his voice]. SEVENTEEN’s passionate icon– he pours out that energy on stage.“The source of all these efforts is CARAT. They’re the biggest driving force for me. It’s my job to show [myself]. If there’s no one watching, what’s the point? Another thing is…”The reason why he can keep running lies in the future. “I think I can work hard because I have a future I dream of. It’s because I need passion to run towards the future I dream of.”Just like our beginning
The flame of passion hasn’t gone out. No, As the days go by, the fire gets stronger. MINGYU emphasized, “As a team, and personally, we have to keep on growing and working steadily.”“I want to immerse myself more in music and on stage. While doing individual and team activities as SEVENTEEN, I will show you the side of me who’s constantly growing.”He expressed his gratitude towards his members and CARATs who have walked with him until now. He emphasized, “The meaning that CARATs give me can’t be defined in a few words.”“So rather than explaining in words, I want to repay you personally with the results. Because [this] DICON shoot is for CARATs only. You’ll like it, right?”He also dreams of a new dream. A dream to be with SEVENTEEN on their 20th anniversary. “We’ll still be SEVENTEEN even in 10 years. That’s my biggest goal.”During this day, MINGYU tipped us off saying that he was going to have dinner with his parents after the shoot. As he talked about his parents, he nagged affectionately as if his mother was right in front of him. He was just like any other ordinary son. An artist who is sincere about everything– so we can’t help but love every moment of his, from MINGYU’s shining appearance on stage to his sincere young appearance from behind off stage.

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dicon (2025)

WHITE MIDNIGHT
The time when light and darkness coexist, a paradoxical yet captivating moment. When opposite elements meet, their synergy becomes maximized. That’s WONWOO and MINGYU. Despite having different personalities and tendencies, they form a unique harmony. The lives of [these] two people have a double the charm as well.In reality, even at the shooting site, the two changed their faces and attitudes following the concept. In the morning, they disarmed [the staff] with their harmless smiles, and at night, they overtook the space with their sharp faces that had never been seen before.Two people who are different, but can communicate better than anyone else– which is just natural, given that they spent 10 years of their lives together. Beyond sharing a space, they’re now emotionally connected. Both each other’s solace, this is the story of the two people.

On and off
Two tall people entered the room with wide smiles. The wide space [of the set] was full. The morning sunlight shone through the windows, and teddy bears were scattered on the bed. Above the bed were two puppies wriggling, and WONWOO and MINGYU couldn't get themselves together after seeing them. They held the fluttering cotton balls (t/n: puppies) in their arms and kissed them.MINGYU smiled brightly like the sunlight. WONWOO, seeing that, let out an innocent smile. It was a moment of [their] everyday life. The two took [photos/videos] of each other with their cameras. Their sexy moments were also captured. In a dark space, they appeared wearing black suits. They sat across each other between a long table. WONWOO said, “This is quite romantic though? It's nice because [it’s a vibe] we haven’t tried before.”It was hard to hold back their laughter as they looked into each other’s eyes, but at some point, they became serious as if they made a promise. Even in silence, WONWOO and MINGYU took a sip with their glasses, looking at each other with gazes that seemed like they knew everything.Their eyes still on each other, deep at dawn, capturing the silhouettes of two people. It was the moment when the unexpected combination DICON had been waiting for was completed– one youth film was made, another noir. WONWOO said, “This is a unit combination that we’re showing on DICON for the first time. I think that [CARATs] will really like our roommate chemistry a lot.”MINGYU, on the other hand, compared himself and WONWOO to a dog and cat. Both have different personalities and preferences. WONWOO is laid-back and calm, whereas MINGYU is active and outgoing. But the two of them, although different, were similar [to each other].Home sweet home
The two of them are housemates. They expressed the delightful moments they [share] at home in the middle of the night. They encapsulated their daily life in detail – looking for a late night snack in the fridge, and competing through games until the night completely passes. Also chattering on, sharing stories [with each other] about what happened throughout their day whilst on the sofa.When the toy car was taken out as a prop [on set], the tension between the two quickly arose. They were busy choosing what car they each wished to ride, cramming big bodies into a small car and liking it as if they were children. MINGYU said, “The small cars are so cute,” and “Actually, it’s fascinating that it still moves even though I’m riding it. It must be a really nice toy for small kids.”At some point, they became more lively. WONWOO and MINGYU enjoyed the moment as it was, without any awareness of the camera. A concept the members liked the most. It makes you wonder what they really look like at home. WONWOO revealed, “Honestly, we’re both so busy that the house is a space we only sleep in or rest at while gaming.” MINGYU expressed that it was a shame, “Hyung and I are the type to spend our time separately often. We have a lot less time to spend at home due to our schedules.” They feel happy to share their trivial everyday life together, even if it isn’t special.If it’s a night where they head back [together] after a schedule, they share their day with one another while sitting at the dining table and eating chicken. WONWOO shared, “When we have our own schedules, we don’t really see each other at home. However, if it’s a day where we do see each other, we eat a lot of delicious food together. We often eat stuff like chicken or tteokbokki,” he laughed.They feel at ease because they’re together – to be able to comfort each other. MINGYU said, “Not being alone in itself is reassuring. I feel a lot of stability whenever I’m with hyung.”Bittersweet
WONWOO and MINGYU are SEVENTEEN’s hiphop unit rappers. They capture the center of a song with their powerful deep voices. Their rapping overflows with charisma, of course, but they also have unexpectedly emotional and delicate voices. While they boast that they have a wide spectrum now, they felt impatient during the beginning of their debut. They had to show off their own skills among 13 members, so there was also pressure.MINGYU said, “Seeing my past self, I realized I was quite in a rush to show off [my charms]. But looking back, If I do something well on my own, someone will probably notice. Now, I’m free-spirited on stage. I think I’ve definitely gotten more relaxed. As for the music part, personally, I regularly think about the charm or image of my voice.”WONWOO explained, “I especially want to deliver a song’s message well. Since WOOZI and BUMZU hyung write [majority of] our songs, I try to properly understand the point that they want and sing [in that way].” WONWOO and MINGYU have good chemistry onstage.Among SEVENTEEN’s songs, their pair parts stand out particularly. When MINGYU yells out “Count to four and go,” WONWOO responds back with “One, two, three, four.” (t/n: left and right) In particular, ‘Bittersweet’, which the two of them sing together, has left a lingering impression for a long time. A song sung about the sweetness of love and the bitterness of friendship, which bursts with chemistry between the two. Will we be able to see a ‘Bittersweet 2’ as well? The two people’s vocals, performance, rap, everything – keeping all possibilities open and honing their abilities.The power of CARAT
WONWOO and MINGYU have fiercely gone through 10 years – from debut until now, without leaving out CARATS through every moment. They survived 10 years through CARATs’ love, which is what will get them through 10 years again. For them, CARATs are the reason they move onstage and the purpose as to why they wish to sing.WONWOO confessed, “I think CARATs are my only driving force now.” He can’t forget CARATs’ eyes, adding, “The absolute, pure affection in the eyes and voices of CARATS give me the most strength. As those moments pile up, I feel even more grateful towards them. Rather than [having] another goal, I end up thinking about what kind of appearance I can show CARATs, and how much they would like it if I showed them that side of me.”MINGYU expressed his affection, “Of course, my biggest driving force is CARATs. As it’s said, my job right now is working to show [myself], and if there’s no one there to look, then I’d have no driving force.”WONWOO’s eyes shined brightly. “It’s really nice whenever I meet CARATs, and I feel an infinite gratitude in my heart. I’m certain that CARATs are my people,” he emphasized. MINGYU said, “I can’t define what kind of existence CARATs are to me in a few words. Rather than explaining, I want to repay them directly with results. Just like how DICON is also something only for CARATs.”“Thank you so much for always cheering us on. I want to send my endless support to CARATs as well. I’ll cheer CARATs on that your lives go more smoothly and everything works out well.” (WONWOO)Next SEVENTEEN
What’s as precious as CARATs is the team. The single album in K-pop with the highest sales, the first in K-pop to accumulate over 5 million copies for its initial sales, the highest ranked among foreign artists on the Oricon Chart, ranked in Billboard 200’s top 10 for 6 consecutive times… These are records that were accumulated [by the team] step by step over the past 10 years. Numerous panoramas graze by.MINGYU said as he thought of the first day of 2025, “Now that it’s all passed, it feels strange because I enjoyed this time well and overcame it.” WONWOO explained, “More than achieving [those things], it makes us realize just how big the support CARATs give us. It’s more meaningful because it feels like we’re being rewarded thanks to the support that CARATs give.”Within that time, they’ve grown in various parts as one person and as an artist. MINGYU said, “Very many things have changed, and the biggest change is that I’ve become more realistic and systematic to dream about the future. The dream I dream of again, is SEVENTEEN. Even after 10 years, I still dream of the picture of us all together. It’s an even more precious dream because it’s a given.”WONWOO expressed, “As we were on our recent tour, the memory that remains most vivid is the time we spent together with the members. As the days go by, the time we spend together becomes more precious. When I eat with the members occasionally on tour, or the times we go to hang out in our daily lives feels really precious.”MINGYU said, “I don’t want to define where I stand at the moment but we’re just focusing on the present while considering every single moment to be precious.” They plan to go on again for another 10 years. MINGYU wishes, “That’s a given as a team, but I also want to steadily work on myself personally as well. I want to show CARATs an even better side [of myself].”WONWOO promises to master four languages - setting his goal, “I want to master Japanese first this year. There’s not enough time but, after I learn in my spare time, I want to go and learn other languages too.”The real
As said by someone working with SEVENTEEN, WONWOO and MINGYU are the members who have greater love for SEVENTEEN than anybody else. Suddenly, [the staff] was reminded of the time they went to Budapest, Hungary in 2023 to shoot [the God of Music music video]. With his camera, WONWOO carefully captured the gazes and facial expressions of the members on the Liberty Bridge above the Danube River. He expressed that the camera captures what he loves the most. WONWOO explained, “When I look through the viewfinder, I try to capture the moments that make me feel really happy or the moments I find beautiful.” The WONWOO who smiled brightly seeing the members through his viewfinder, was one that they remembered for a long time. Whilst next to him was MINGYU, who they remembered taking care of the [music video] extras, talking affectionately.After this DICON shoot finished, WONWOO looked around to express his thankfulness to the staff. He even went up to the coffee truck owner and bowed to them. MINGYU hugged the staff and greeted them asking, “When will we meet again? Let’s see each other soon.”We’ve seen various sides to the two of them in a long amount of time, but what keeps them in our hearts for a long time are those kinds of moments, WONWOO and MINGYU are the same as ever, back then and now. Their charms onstage and offstage may be different, but their true appearance is the same whenever and wherever. I think this is truly the unexpected charm of the two. Onstage they leave a lasting impression, and in their everyday lives, they’re always such warmhearted people. Calm but firm, flexible but doesn’t lose genuinity. That is what keeps them continuously admired [by people].

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dicon (2025)

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bazaar men (2025)

Still Burning
To MINGYU, dreams grow alongside your own growth each day; rather than placing importance on a brilliant yesterday, he values the unknown tomorrow more. because such, he continues to work hard to be forward-driven, burning his endless passion in anticipation of a more vivid future.

In November of 2024, at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (shortened as MAMA), boy group SEVENTEEN received 5 awards, including Artist of the Year, Best Male Group, and Album of the Year. Amidst tens of thousands of fans’ cheering, the camera pans across the members as they receive their awards, and you see MINGYU on stage holding back tears, with a mix of emotions across his face.Turning back time to May 26th of 2015, the boy group SEVENTEEN, made up of 13 boys has made their official debut. At that time MINGYU had just turned 18. Facing an uncertain future, MINGYU did not hold many anxieties, as he was only focused on the stage and what was ahead of him with anticipation for the endless hard work [required] to ultimately become an artist in the spotlight.Born in 1997, MINGYU has always been a lively and purehearted boy. He loves sports, including soccer—and for the things he loves, he pours out endless passion into it, without reserve. Speaking on his childhood life, MINGYU even shares a memory with his father in the sauna, and his short descriptions demonstrate his wonderful and pure childhood experiences, and further illustrates his growth at the time.Looking back upon their debut date now, this 18 year old boy, whose face still showed childlike features, condensed the passionate feelings of his debut into just a few lines of text, writing: “Today, I have made my debut under the name SEVENTEEN. In these past 4 years, I have practically given up on everything that people my age take for granted, and have lived and eaten alongside my members as we’ve lived our fatiguing but joyful days… From today on, I will begin activities under the name SEVENTEEN, let us work hard with a brand new mental attitude…”The almost 10 years of time after debut have passed in a flash, but each second and minute have been precious memories. The deep feelings the members have for each other, the steadfast support of the fans, and the sweat from nights they stayed up practicing—it all has taken the form to be recorded in each song, each stage, and each award. Piece by piece, it has formed the SEVENTEEN of today, as well as the MINGYU of this moment.On that unforgettable night in 2024 (at MAMA), MINGYU is seated beneath the stage in the guest section, without nervousness about the award recipient list that had yet to be announced, but rather focused more on how to better appear in his next performance. MINGYU reminisces that the day before (the award ceremony), “my mind had still been focused on our performance, I had just wanted to perform sooner. At the time, I had a faint feeling that perhaps there would be vaguely something good that would happen for us, but we didn’t think we would receive 2 daesangs.”When they received the awards, the MINGYU captured in the camera lens was overflowing with emotions. Influenced by the emotions of his members, who he spends time with day in and day out, he couldn’t resist tearing up, and his eyes shone with unspilled tears. He said he remembered the first moment he stood on a stage, “because the members and I have been together for so long, so I am very aware of what meaning these tears contain.”No other person [besides MINGYU/SEVENTEEN themselves] would know how difficult their path has been, and many of these true feelings have been internalized and kept in MINGYU’s heart. But rather than the joy and excitement of receiving the awards, MINGYU still thinks that it is not the time to feel satisfaction. “Rather than basking in that happiness, I [think moreso] that there is still lots to do, so I have to prepare for tomorrow.”2024 is a packed and busy year for SEVENTEEN. Besides their world tour that has brought them to various portions of the world, they have also gone to England’s Glastonbury festival, Germany’s Berlin Lollapalooza, and other well-known worldwide music festivals. These deep impressions formed in foreign countries through music not only include MINGYU and the SEVENTEEN members’ precious times spent on stage, but also include those unforgettable moments spent on the road. MINGYU remembers that their trip to Glastonbury had not been smooth; due to a delayed flight, they had to change their plans—taking a train on the second day (after their plane was meant to depart), and in the middle they had to switch to a 3-4 hour bus ride. The road was long, and filled with ups and downs. MINGYU and members spent it chatting, and listening to music, “there was a feeling of a group vacation, like we had become a band that would appear in movies. That picture of us at the time is an important memory to me, an unforgettable one till this day.”This year, SEVENTEEN will hit their 10 year anniversary since debut. We commonly consider a number like “10” to be a nodal point, and use it to look back upon the unforgettable moments in past times. [The 10 year mark] seems to be a shining turning point in the vast river of time, that makes us remember the times we spent working hard, as well as the marks we have left behind, and it also becomes an origin point for us to constantly gather up our energy to bring more hope and anticipation for the future.In MINGYU’s heart, in the past 10 years, “the most representative moment for SEVENTEEN” was when they released their 10th mini album FML. Released in April 2023, the mini album became the highest-selling album in all of K-pop history, and also won them their first Album of the Year Daesang at the 2024 Golden Disc Awards. Yet behind these glories, what cannot be ignored is the 13 members’ long periods of reflection and hard work. “We really prepared for a long time for that album, I still remember the moment it was first released,” MINGYU reminisces. And yet, when asked what the “most representative moment for MINGYU” is, MINGYU humbly replied, “as for myself, I will continue slowly discovering it.”Though he says that, ever since debut, MINGYU has maintained a constant forward-driving passion. Whenever he finishes work, he feels that he is able to continue to grow. Outside of his work on stage, MINGYU is still full of energy, and from that sense of novelty he is able to [gain] a more matured sense of experience, and more freely express himself and enjoy each challenge. Though “it may be true that right now is the peak moment for SEVENTEEN and MINGYU,” he still wants to “continue to grow, continue to run ahead.” This sort of “realistic ambition” at the same time makes MINGYU’s “dreams become bigger”, and his goals become even greater.In a previous live broadcast with fans, MINGYU discussed the double meaning of the word “burn out” with fans. As the [components] of the word suggest, it both represents a “burning” as well as a “fatigued” state. In the eyes of the many, MINGYU seems to always be full of energy, very rarely ever fully spent. But this is not because he has never had moments of fatigue, but because he has learned to gain energy from his busy work and life.To this, MINGYU expresses that “On the flip side, I am always looking for things to do. [When] I have so many things to do, I will be busy to the point that I have no time to think about anything else, which will also make me feel fulfilled.”As an artist, MINGYU’s self-regulation has become a habit. He maintains [a habit of] working out for at least 1 hour each day to show the fans and the camera the best version of himself. To others, this may seem like something difficult to maintain amidst a busy schedule, but MINGYU says “If you have the determination to do so, you absolutely can squeeze out 1 hour in each day. It’s most important to establish a habit. No matter if I have or don’t have work that day, I will still work out and replenish myself.”In saying that, MINGYU believes, as long as he has the determination, then he will continue burning down this road.

After the 2024 MAMAs, we saw that the members got together and even video-called Jeonghan and Jun. Was there anything on this date that left a strong impression on you?
I once again felt the preciousness of the 13 of us. Though it wasn’t a long dinner like we would have done before, but we chatted and enjoyed that feeling of accomplishment together. But rather than [saying we were] basking in that happiness, I [think moreso we knew] that there is still lots to do, so I/we have to prepare for tomorrow.You guys are welcoming your 10th debut anniversary soon. What thought is on your mind [regarding that]?
The SEVENTEEN right now has already become a very impressive group, far surpassing my expectations. And so, I think in the future I should be more brave. I believe that in the future I will definitely grow to become an even better version of myself.Now that your group has received more and more acclaim, including yourself, you have worked with more brands—what do you think challenges you about this work?
When I work with international brands, there’s a sense of novelty in the experience, and I’ve [gained] a new understanding towards communication and understanding each other. I think I’ve found ways to more freely express myself and enjoy the process.Today’s shooting theme was related to “childhood”. Regarding your own childhood, do you have any experiences that left a strong impression on you?
This reminds me of when I went to a sauna with my dad. Whenever my dad would go into a sauna, he would look very tired, and his face would immediately turn red, so I had always thought a sauna was not a good thing—I thought it was dangerous. Because I was scared, I never even was able to stay inside one by myself. I also remember that after coming out from the sauna, my dad and I would eat udon at a small stall nearby.These 2 years, MINGYU has received a lot of love from Chinese fans, how does it feel to once again appear on the cover of a Chinese magazine as an individual (rather than a group)?
I really miss you all, and always miss you all. It feels very novel to be able to appear on the cover of a fashion magazine again. I hope you can always look forward to and support [me] in the future as well.This year, we’ve seen you have continuously been collaborating with multiple fashion brands. Please talk about your thoughts on fashion, what fashion item have you been liking recently?
I’ve always thought that there are no weird clothes, and also firmly believe that “clothes shape your attitude". Sometimes, I’ve seen myself change my walk and my actions because of the clothes I wear, which I find funny and new. As for a fashion item I’m enjoying recently, I think it would be glasses?You have shot many different styles of fashion magazines since your debut, if we had another collaboration and we invited you to be the editor, what sort of theme or style of fashion film would you like to shoot?
I’d want to try shooting with very dark, thick smoky makeup. I’d also want to try filming in the wild, at the sea, or at a vacational area.Were there any moments you found interesting during today’s shooting? Which outfit/styling did you enjoy the most from this shooting?
There was an outfit that looked like it would be hard to pull off—it was one that looked like it had a curtain on it. Though it looked like it would be hard to pull off, when we shot it brought out a sense of atmosphere very well. I was very satisfied with the outcome, and I am looking forward to the videos.Last time you were in Beijing for a fansign, you ate lots of local delicacies. What did you most enjoy amongst them? If you get the opportunity in the future, what other foods would you like to try in China?
Peking duck. Though it wasn’t my first time having it, it was one of the best Peking ducks I’ve had before. I’ve always really loved Chinese food, so it’d be nice if I were able to eat lots of Chinese foods while being there myself! The end of December will be my first time in Shanghai, I’m really looking forward to it!

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bazaar men (2025)

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rolling stone (2025)

Memories of Music
Talking about the source of beauty and powerMINGYU, an expressive individual who spread his wings from Asia across the world. In this exclusive interview he told us – in a relaxed manner and with an abundance of facial expressions – about the path he followed as a SEVENTEEN member, the course of his own growth, and more – at times casually, at times while thinking deeply.A 13-member group SEVENTEEN, who made their debut in 2015 with [their] 1st mini album '17 CARAT’. The members themselves are responsible for music production and choreography, and while they are divided into three teams – VOCAL, HIPHOP, and PERFORMANCE – all 13 members have an extensive range of skills and are known as a professional group that can embrace a variety of roles. SEVENTEEN’s music is undeniably diverse. They continue to bring forth a new charm every time they release music and expand their fandom around the world. In 2024, they became the first K-POP artists to perform on the main stage at Glastonbury Festival, and also headlined the main stage at Lollapalooza BERLIN, it is still fresh in memory how they showed off the limitless nature of SEVENTEEN’s entertainment.Part of the HIPHOP TEAM, MINGYU not only increases the group’s striking power with his appealing rap that highlights his husky voice, but also keeps improving his vocal skills year by year and time and again captivates [the audience] with his singing. Moreover, MINGYU, the tallest member, matches the heights of other members, while making maximum use of his long limbs when he performs the supple, yet powerful choreography, further reinforcing SEVENTEEN’s creed-based weapon – perfectly coordinated synchronized dancing.Apart from his performance, where he demonstrates his true strength as an all-rounder, because of his natural amiability, positivity, and attention to details he displays his power as an indispensable balancer in the large group of moodmakers and mediators. We saw into the heart of MINGYU, who radiates the energy of the sun and continues to exhibit his healthy beauty.

Strong Points of SEVENTEENIn October of 2024 you released your 12th mini album ‘SPILL THE FEELS’. What message does this album convey?
SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini album ‘SPILL THE FEELS’ is an album that carries the message of confiding in others, sharing your feelings, and striving to rise up against your worries. It tells the story of SEVENTEEN, who try to move towards a bright future – anyone can relate to this theme. This is an album that we made while thinking about wanting to become an artist that can empower listeners through music, so I hope you like it.What does it mean to you, as an artist, to take part in the production of the album?
I think what it means to be an artist is to be able to put your own thoughts and ideas into your own music. I'm very thankful for being able to gather opinions of different people, and convey our message, music, and the feeling of that music exactly the way we imagine it, and, moving forward, I think I want to further expand the extent of my involvement little by little.Once again, please tell us the three strengths of the group SEVENTEEN, in your opinion.
Firstly, the member’s opinions are reflected fully when we create the albums and the music. Then, all 13 of us love our group and are able to grow as one. I'm really thankful for that. And, we can offer very good energy to CARATs. Without knowing why, we are always trying to make an impact on CARATs, and I think it’s nice if it ends up being a positive one.As major live performances, such as the ‘SEVENTEEN TOUR 'FOLLOW' AGAIN’ stop at Nissan Stadium in Japan and your set at the ‘Lollapalooza’ music festival held in Germany, keep accumulating was there a change in the way you feel about performing live?
Firstly, there isn’t a concert about which I can say, “That’s big”. Because for us, every moment of all our performances is greatly important. SInce our concert venues keep getting bigger and the number of fans that come to see us also rises, we want to give them even more energy, and, when we stand on stage, we also end up getting energy from CARATs. But, instead of giving in to that, when we’re on tour, in order to give each and every person who comes to see us live the same energy, we make an effort to show stages in the same condition, with the same power and of the same quality. And if there was a change it’s that I’ve become more focused on managing my health to achieve just that.What is a live performance to you?
No matter what occupation, you don’t just do one job – there are a lot of things that you need to work hard on. I also have lots of things, but live performances are the biggest reason why I am able to love this profession, to be content, and to think that I want to do it for a long time; I believe this is the ‘happiness’ of my job.What was the moment in your career so far, when you felt like ‘this is the turning point’?
I think having a shooting with Calvin Klein was a big turning point for me. It's true! I had a lot of nice experiences while doing activities with SEVENTEEN for 10 years, but it was my first global shoot as an individual activity, and it was a very strange feeling to be uploaded onto Calvin Klein’s Instagram. After doing my best working with Calvin Klein I thought, ‘I've grown, huh. I have to work harder from now on.’When did you really feel that you’ve grown?
At the first Calvin Klein campaign shooting, despite it being my individual shoot, there were almost as much staff involved as during SEVENTEEN’s ones, staff members came from overseas as well, it was utterly, truly an incredible moment. Even though it was an event in Paris, I was very surprised when Calvin Klein’s CEO and foreign staff members knew me, and it was so amazing that the many fans that were [standing] in front of the store were cheering when they saw me. During this whole thing I felt my growth and thought about wanting to progress even more.Please tell us about your impressions of today’s shooting.
I think that Calvin Klein is a dynamic brand full of energy, so I'm always nervous and focused when shooting [with them], but I think I had especially great chemistry with the photographer today.If you were to express the charm of Calvin Klein in a few words?
Probably ‘refreshing energy’. I really like Calvin Klein’s jeans. I also think my chemistry with the Calvin Klein crew is really great. And, regarding the pictures we shot, it seems like fans and readers think that they suit me, so I'm also enjoying it while taking pride in myself.Who is a fashion icon for you?
Fashion icon? It's really hard to choose one person when it comes to fashion. I'm trying my best to see everyone working in the fashion industry. I feel like I get influenced little by little, like when I see some pieces of art.Is there a person or a thing that you usually refer to for [style] coordination?
I mainly look at foreign models’ Instagrams. There are people that pop up in my head, but I can't remember [their] names. Be it actors or models, I refer to people that have an interest in fashion. And then, I feel like I am a little influenced by the SEVENTEEN members, as well. Because there are 13 people with totally different personal styles. But only a little (in Japanese).THE PRESENCE OF ‘MUSIC’ ALL AROUND USAs a part of SEVENTEEN’s HIPHOP TEAM you are known as an all-rounder with high abilities not only in rap, but also in dancing and singing. Who do you consider yourself as an artist?
I think that I need to be an all-rounder. SEVENTEEN has units, and I belong to the HIPHOP TEAM, but I don't think SEVENTEEN can be complete if I'm just good at rapping. Especially these days, I think you need to be able to do everything in order to survive and stand out in the K-POP world. I’m still lacking in some areas, but I’d rather not miss out on any of them – dancing, singing, rapping. I also want to be better at photoshoots than the models [themselves], I want to do better in interviews, too. That's why I'm always working hard.Is there an area where you’d like to improve right now?
There are a lot of members, so I think the most important thing is to become more dependable for everyone and try to level myself up without getting lost among the 13 people. I think that the pressure I feel and the efforts I, myself, have to make when I'm on stage alone and together with 13 other people are completely different. I started thinking like this: if up until now I’ve grown as SEVENTEEN, with the help of 12 members, now I want to become an artist that on their own can move people and give them good music to listen to. Recently, I have been working hard on doing things on my own.Do you want to contribute to SEVENTEEN by growing as a solo artist?
I feel like the pressure a solo artist experiences is almost as strong as my desire to be good at my role [in the group]. On the other hand, I'd also like for [people] to listen to my own music through a solo project one day.It has been more than 10 years since you became a trainee, how has your perception of music changed?
When I first joined the agency as a trainee I didn't have a lot of interest in music and was a little scared of singing. But now, oddly enough, I have become a person that needs music all the time, so I started to enjoy singing. I think this is the biggest change.Please tell us about your favourite way of listening to music.
I like listening to music that suits the situation. Even I think it’s weird, but I like listening to quiet jazz or acoustic music when I'm working out at the gym. Then, for example, when I'm driving I like listening to country music – I have my own music genres that I imagine for each situation.If anything, is it that you like listening to music that makes you calm?
Usually I like listening to music that has a chill and relaxed vibe. But if the weather is nice I also want to listen to refreshing songs – what music I might listen to changes depending on the weather, the feeling of that day, and the friends I’m with. When I eat Japanese food, even if I’m in Korea, I may play something like 80s city pop.If there is a favourite artist or a song that you’ve been listening to recently, please share with us.
Recently, I have been listening to Nujabes, and also when I'm playing tennis I have been listening to the ‘Challengers’ soundtrack. Doing this makes me feel satisfied.During the SEVENTEEN member-only monthly meetings, creative topics like music production are probably brought up. If there was something particularly memorable during a creative discussion at one of the regular meetings, please share with us.
We talk a lot so, of course, the subject of creation comes up, but rather than talking about lyrics or composing we discuss what SEVENTEEN should do next. 10 years have passed, we released a new album, but what music should we do to be understood by the public, what suits us best right now? Would it be cool to release a manly sexy track? Would it be cool if we sang a bright song? We often analyze SEVENTEEN like that and talk about what we want to do in a broader sense.Is everyone serious when talking about things like this?
No, it’s casual (laughs). We try to say whatever comes to mind freely, like, “I want to do hip-hop”, “We had an intense choreography for our last album, so how about this time we all just stand and sing a ballad?” “Huh? But even so we still have to dance.” It's fun to discuss things like this. Eventually someone always says, “Let's not dance for this comeback, how about we just sing?” but in the past 10 years we haven’t actually done this.Do you think this bright atmosphere influences the SEVENTEEN members’ live performances as well?
I believe it has a strong impact. I think if all 13 people were quiet by nature our performances would be boring and it would be hard to perform well on stage. When I dance during a live show I also look at the 12 members around me and receive strength. When our eyes meet during a performance it makes it more fun and I think that [things like this] might be our chemistry.You are known for your positive personality, but is there anything you do to maintain your positivity?
It’s not that I go about my life thinking, “I have to live positively”, I believe it’s just something innate to me. Even when something bad happens, there’s definitely a solution, and I always think, “It will probably work out, it’s better to do something than to just be feeling down and waiting around.” Of course, sometimes I don’t feel well emotionally and there are times when I'm going through a slump but I think I’m the kind of person to just get over it right away.Does hearing fan stories of how SEVENTEEN’s music gives them strength or has helped them overcome something make you happy?
That's right. I feel the best when I'm told stories about them managing to heal their souls or be able to smile even though the times are tough, gaining positive energy through us – my heart becomes warm. We always love our fans, but when we are in front of CARATs, when we are able to look into their eyes, to hear their cheers – these are the happiest moments, and we receive energy [from them] in the same way.Do you also get strength from listening to and singing your own music?
For me, SEVENTEEN’s music is like a nice ‘memory’. For example, when I’m down and listening to our song called ‘Circles’ I feel like I am able to heal, and while there are some songs like that, generally, the energy and messages that we try to convey through our music are not something I personally feel impacted by. Rather than that, the memories of the time we were promoting that song, when we stood on stage, are certainly what healed us.Please send a message to CARATs.
We worked hard to be able to meet CARATs in Japan, too, and I'm really thankful for the nice memories [I made] there. We've recently performed in Japan, and [everyone] always watches over us with pretty gazes. I could feel everyone’s emotions, so I was touched. In the future, I'd like to meet you all more and give back to you with good music and albums. I'd also be happy if we were able to have a lot of concerts.

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rolling stone (2025)

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esquire korea (2024)

Something I felt while watching the recent YouTube variety shows you appeared on was that MINGYU is quite a fun person.
I want to be [a person who’s] fun. I want to be fun but I can’t really say that I’m a fun person coming from my own mouth.How do the people around you describe/see you?
Me? Well, won’t it be to the extent of [describing me as] ‘a bright person’?A bright person. Someone who’s good with words and is sensible.
[I’m a person who’s] good with words, eloquent, sensible, witty, but also has humility to not say those with my own mouth…I see that you’re that kind of person.
If you perhaps felt that way, I would be grateful if you could write it that way in the article. It would also be nice if you would say, “[MINGYU] did not say that with his own mouth.”(Laughs) But I actually did feel that way. You may not seem the style to [make people] laugh out loud with an extraordinary joke, but you’re rather a really good person who knows the right timing to save the conversation and has good sensibility. However, when all the SEVENTEEN members are present, you barely speak.
Ah, really? (Thinks for a moment) I didn’t mean to but now that I think about it, it seems like it. I think it’s just a natural habit. Actually, it doesn’t just apply to me but just how much are all [the members] holding back with what they want to say? There are 13 people but if everyone rushes in [to speak] and dives into it, it’s going to be chaotic. Not just me, but I think that everyone naturally came to have that attitude of, “I have something to say, I’m confident that I could be funny, but since you’ve already done it, let’s move on.”Among [the members], MINGYU especially likes to be funny but I don’t think you’re someone who necessarily likes people to focus on you and do something.
You’re right. I’m usually the type of person who talks a lot. When I appear on a variety show with two or three people, I tend to speak more freely, and I’m very excited for the interview right now as well. Really honest stories are coming out, too (laughs).It’s one thing to like talking and it’s another thing to have the desire for variety shows or hosting them. What side does MINGYU [prefer]?
The former. I like to talk and have fun, but I don’t want the general public focusing on me as the main point. Anyhow, there’s a fundamental part of my job. Though it’s good to keep that in mind and show a variety of additional sides [of me], I don’t think it’s like I’m totally going to go on a completely different path.It feels like the SEVENTEEN members are restricting themself from doing individual activities. Maybe it’s because it’s tough to coordinate the team’s schedule when each [individual member] schedule starts to unfold like that.
You’re right on point. The SUPER JUNIOR hyungs have adored us since we were young. Since we’re a group with many members, there must’ve been a part which reminded them of the past and had an attachment to it. But the hyungs have always said that we shouldn’t split up and make sure that we’re doing our group activities [together] for a long time. “That’ll be good for you guys, and it’s what the fans want the most.” I did think that it was true even then, but I think I can especially feel it more desperately these days. Anyway, SEVENTEEN is the coolest when we’re [together as] a team, and fans like it the most when we’re a team. We think that [it’s best] to keep as many points for our team as much as possible until we can.If there weren't any restrictions, what is something that MINGYU wants to do the most?
I have a lot of things that I want to do. I also want to make a travel vlog YouTube [channel]. Not like I'm talking to anyone or anything but just simply showing my travels naturally.I really enjoyed watching MINGYU’s LA travel vlog.
Ah really? Thank you. Actually the members were saying it was boring though.Wasn’t it a video that nicely captured all kinds of romances within traveling? Wearing a cap on a nice day while riding a bike through Beverly Hills, going to shops here and there, buying things like Nike shoes or an Adidas jersey, going to Santa Monica and watching the sunset while also drinking beer.
Right. I really did all of the romances of LA that I could then.It was perfect from your tire going flat to you waiting for its repair at a neighborhood bike shop.
Right. I really liked that bike. Though I couldn’t bring it back to Korea with me so I just gave it to a kid at a neighborhood park before I left.You just gave it? Without knowing who the kid was?
(Laughs) I didn’t know them at all. I just said “Do you wanna have this?” and that was all. It may be a choice that one might not understand but, turning those kinds of inefficient and illogical decisions into happiness is my life goal. Even now, the moments when I rode that bike and gave it to the young kid remain as a good memory to me.Do you like traveling?
I do. It’s my dream to travel across the world. When I was young, I even had the dreams to someday get the certifications to drive a yacht, drive a yacht myself all the way to Europe, and travel around there by plane. That dream still remains with me now. Not only a dream, but a goal I wish to actualize someday.It’s like a hazy appearance of yourself in the far future that comes to mind once in a while.
Right. Honestly, I live while thinking of the far future (laughs). Which is why there are many instances that the members scold me. Since they all talk about what they’ll be doing next year and the year after while I talk about 20 years and 30 years later on my own.Of course you’d get scolded if you keep talking on your own about life [after] retiring, riding a yacht heading to the Carribean. (laughs)
No. It’s the opposite of that. I’m thinking about promoting even after my 50s. “Of course we’ll still be SEVENTEEN even after 10 years, so why worry about 1-2 years from now?” then the members are flustered.Ah, hold on. So the older MINGYU in the far future who travels the world is still a SEVENTEEN member.
That’s correct. Going here and there around the world during breaks. Renting a large camping car to move around if we do a US tour. Or riding a yacht to move around if we do a world tour… It’s nonsense right? (laughs)Besides the fact that it makes sense, I was a bit surprised. I naturally thought that you were talking about retirement, but even in such a vague dream, you naturally draw SEVENTEEN [in the picture].
Shouldn’t I protect SEVENTEEN? Some may say that it’s a dream, but in a way, it’s a big goal for me. People need a goal to get moving. That’s why I keep on trying to put myself in the future as far as possible.I heard that you have another schedule after this interview.
Yes, I have practice. There isn't much left before our comeback. (The interview was done before SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini album was released.)You started shooting for the magazine from early in the morning and [now] it’s almost dusk, while you also start practice in the evening. No way you’re working out after that as well?
Thankfully I worked out this morning. Before coming on set.Wow, but how are you still so bright? I don’t see any signs of you being tired at all.
Magazine shoots are the most enjoyable type of work for me. That’s probably why. Especially since it’s my first time seeing all the Dior outfits on set today, I had a lot of fun throughout the shoot.So you feel more fun than pressure at a magazine shoot.
There were times I felt more pressured, too. Since in the past, I was very scared of the photographer and staff, and felt uncomfortable for nothing. It isn’t that I went through anything bad in particular, but I strangely felt these compulsive [thoughts] to myself like “It’ll become difficult for me to work in this industry If there’s anything [I did] that strayed from their ideas.” (laughs) I think it was most important [for me] to become comfortable in that regard. Now, the most fun part is coming up and expressing a specific image while following the directions given by the head. If they try to get the best angle and tell me to stand still, I suddenly think “Ah, standing straight with this kind of outfit on has a reporter type of feel,” and try to reposition. If they tell me to sit on a chair and give off a languid feel, then I think of the image of curtains fluttering in an old Parisian building. I’m the type to have a lot of imaginations on my own throughout a magazine shoot like that.I actually felt kind of touched after seeing MINGYU at today’s set. He first approached staff that he didn't know well and joked around like, “Don’t my fingers look so stubby in this shot?” I thought that he was such a friendly and natural person.
Is that so? (laughs) I do quite like that kind of atmosphere. While working together overseas, even if you don’t know each other, you can ask questions or have conversations light-heartedly like “Hi?” “Where are you from?” “What kind of work do you do?” But I think those kinds of things don’t naturally happen in our set. Someone has to make that effort. I’m the type that seeks to put in even a bit of effort for that comfort.I still remember, our team’s junior interviewed SEVENTEEN’s HIP-HOP unit before and said, “They’re such fun, honest, and good people,” and kept praising you guys. They don’t usually say such things.
Wow, that's a relief. That feels assuring.Don’t you hear these kinds of things often? No matter where you appear, SEVENTEEN members’ honesty and teamwork is bound to be brought up once.
That’s right. Regardless, I think we’re the type to receive love wherever we go. Yet, there’s this as well. It’s been ages now since we’ve started promoting [as a group], and the members have each gained their own know-hows from their experiences, standards, and fatigues. We can do this, but there’s no need to do it… I think when we unknowingly develop a line [that’s not to be crossed] within ourselves, it may come across as slightly cold to someone else. Thankfully, until now, everyone has only told me that I’m kind and friendly.The world has become such [a place] where the smallest mistake can spark a bigger fire than you think. That's why I find it fascinating seeing SEVENTEEN's honesty and openness. Is it because of your years of experience that you can show a good balance between having a job that is being reinterpreted by all kinds of people and your desire of being honest?
That’s actually a part that's really tough. I don't think I'll ever gain a long experience in that area in my life (laughs). Instead, how do I say it… shall I say I’ve gained instinct? While we’re having fun talking, it comes to me as a hunch like, “Oh, this isn’t something I can dare talk about.” Like instinct. Of course, it’d be good to be honest. But by any chance it would negatively affect someone a bit, or if it’s a topic that may bring clashing opinions, we think that it’d be right not to talk about it. Actually, there’s barely anything we tell each other to be careful of now. In some ways, we’ve come to respect each others’ choices because everyone has their own instincts and is careful of what they have to be careful of.I was fascinated with how 13 different guys can get along so well, but when I think about it again, I thought that [the members] who are like sons who grew up in homes with large families naturally developed a sense of community and a well-rounded attitude by themselves.
Right. There have been a lot [of instances like that]. Honestly, we fight often compared to how people see us from the outside (laughs). It can't be helped since there will always be a difference in opinions. If we wondered, “Why is he like that?” when we fought when we were young, we just accept it now thinking, “that could happen.” I say this all the time, “it's not that they're wrong, it’s just different [thinking].” I think that proposition really took up the middle of my own way of thinking.Shall we lightly talk about your new album? Your new song ‘LOVE, MONEY, FAME’ is powerful just by the title.
That's what we talked about when we first started discussing this album. “Let's be hip, let's be a bit cool.” And if you dig deeper, that's actually what the song is trying to say in itself. Whether it’s money or fame, there are a lot of things that people want to get, but in the end, what we need the most is love.It’s a story of honesty and true values.
The name of our 12th mini album is ‘SPILL THE FEELS’. It's an album that contains a message of “I hope we can freely express our inner emotions.” Being truthful to your emotions is different from always being positive, right? You can get angry, you can talk about what's sad or upsetting you, and you have to know how to sufficiently enjoy things when you’re happy. Our title track is a song that contains the feeling of love. If you get to hear the title for the first time, you may think, “What is this? Is this a hip-hop style song that shows off the things you've accumulated?” But if you listen to the song, there’s a different message. Personally, I think it's sort of SEVENTEEN's charm to keep that ‘line’.What's fun [about your title track] is that it's 'LMF' when you shorten it.
Right, right! It's the opposite of our 10th mini album's title track 'FML'.Ah, was it intentional?
I thought it was intentional too, really. But it actually just happened to be like that by accident. I was also surprised so I thought to myself, "Later on when I get interviewed, I gotta say it was intentional." (laughs) If we talked about ‘this damn world’ in FML before, what we want to talk about for LMF this time is that in this damn world, there is love, money and fame, but love is the most important amongst all. There is an interpretation that can be reversed like this.But when MINGYU sat down for the interview in the end, you couldn’t even make up a story even for a bit but you chose to tell all your thoughts like, “it's actually not the truth but I'm gonna say that that's what I thought in the interview.”
Well… I thought it would be alright to say [my thoughts like] that. Since I have to do the interview with a clear conscience (laughs).

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esquire korea (2024)

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anan (2024)

This year SEVENTEEN held a stadium tour, going around 4 extra-large stadiums in Japan and South Korea. For them, who dreamed of standing on Tokyo Dome’s stage in Japan, a stadium was a dream that exceeded their dreams. MINGYU says the emotions of that moment are seared into his skin as a tingling sensation that he can feel even now.
That was truly an incredible feeling. I became overwhelmed with emotion [from excitement]. I felt like all the hard work we have put in up until now was being rewarded, I also felt like wanting to cry, despite being happy… It was raining during our performance at Yanmar Stadium Nagai, but CARATs still filled up the venue and just seeing their smiles made my heart warm.[SEVENTEEN’s] first visit to Japan began with performances in Grand Cube Osaka and Nakano Sunplaza in 2016, and after overcoming the window period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they finally arrived at the Tokyo Dome to perform in 2022. They expressed that every time they made one of their dreams come true, they felt like they managed to grow personally [as well].
Every time we toured in Japan, the venues got bigger but the stadium was a totally different scale – it once again gave me the motivation to work even harder from now on. But, honestly speaking, there’s no actual feeling of my dreams being accomplished. Because before I could get lost in that feeling, I already started running towards my next dream (laughs). And because there’s a lot we have to do to [achieve them] it seems like we are always on our way towards our dreams. We still have a long way to go.For MINGYU, who says [things like] that, a dream is “something that you keep chasing after.”
I think I can say that I have now fulfilled most of my childhood dreams, and I think that’s an amazing thing. But for me, a dream is more so something that you keep chasing after rather than something you make come true. There will be more things I want to achieve going forward. Maybe as I started to actually realize that I could make my dreams come true, I have gained [more] confidence. Right now, I have a lot of dreams and they keep getting bigger and bigger.The flawless performance they showed at their stadium concerts is SEVENTEEN’s true worth. What makes the performance possible is the strength of the bond between the 13 members.
For me, SEVENTEEN can be summed up in one word – “reliable”. The relationship between the members is good, too. We’ve been together for more than 10 years already and we continue to run as SEVENTEEN who don’t leave [even] one person behind. That is a testimony of our bond. In that [kind of] group, my role is being the tall kid? (laughs) SEVENTEEN is divided into three: VOCAL TEAM, HIPHOP TEAM, and PERFORMANCE TEAM, but, because the members can do anything regardless of the team and everyone is good-looking, there aren’t particularly such things as [saying] “I can do this!”… Moreover, all 13 of us continue to put effort into becoming an even better artist than we are now. That’s why [we] don’t miss our dance and vocal practices even now. Since as long as you keep practicing, there’s no chance you’ll become worse than you are now.When inquired about the secret of being able to maintain high motivation for such a long time…
I always say this, but that’s because we have people that are watching after us. No matter how hard I practice singing, if there are no people to listen [to me], it’s no fun. Even if I perform with utmost effort, if there is no one to watch me, I think there is no reason for me to stand on stage. The reason for this is our fans. Precisely because people who love and support us exist, we can continue doing our activities happily.With next year marking the 10th anniversary of their debut, MINGYU has many dreams.
Lately, I’ve been immersed in music production, and it’s fun [to see] my computer’s hard drive getting filled up with my own songs little by little. How many songs have I written up until now? It’s a secret (laughs). I don’t know when they will be released to the world, and they might not be released at all, but the creative process of making songs with my voice is enthralling in and of itself. Just like appearing on the solo cover of ANAN this time, I would be happy if there were more opportunities for people to learn about me as an individual, and I would like to do everything I can as an entertainer, not limiting myself to just singing and performing. Just like filming music videos overseas before, if I were to shoot something in Japan I’d like to include [scenes of] Tokyo’s night view. Personally, I want to go to Sapporo… Among the places that get a lot of snow in Japan, I’ve only been to Akita, so I’d like to go skiing in Sapporo and try its famous beer (laughs).It seems like [MINGYU] often goes to izakayas¹ in Japan, and his favorite dish is yakitori².
I like chicken and scallion skewers, skirt steak, grilled hearts on skewers, and asparagus. During my visit to Japan this time, I took my parents to an izakaya. But they said to me, “You shouldn’t drink a lot, you shouldn’t eat late at night” (laughs). No matter how old I am, my parents tell me such things a lot.

¹izakaya – japanese bar that also serves various dishes and snacks
²yakitori – chicken pieces (or sometimes beef or pork offal) grilled on a skewer

Sleeping Q&AWhat are the things you do for your own health?
I exercise in the morning. 2 hours before going out, I get up and start my day by working out. It's good for your health if you exercise in the morning because it keeps your blood flowing all throughout the day. I also like taking cold baths after sweating at the sauna.What do you do to sleep well?
I try to exhaust myself out as much as I can. I can get myself some good sleep by talking a lot during the day (laughs), exercising, and sweating.What are you insistent about when sleeping?
That I use many pillows! I like sleeping with my pillows here and there on my body, and I also like hugging them. I like thick blankets, too.Do you have any sleeping habits?
I heard from the members that I sometimes snore when I'm really tired. But rather than that, I don’t think I snore often. I have no idea about any of my sleeping habits since I can't see them myself (laughs).What was the most memorable dream you had?
Recently, I had a dream where I went back to middle school with the members. On top of that, my current memories, money, and things I bought were still there (laughs). I attended classes with the members who became middle school students and played soccer together, it was fun.Are you the type to dream often?
I dream quite well and even after I open my eyes, I remember the details clearly. I always seem to have different dreams, that's why it's fun because it feels like I'm watching a movie.

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anan (2024)

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wonderland (2024)

SEVENTEEN, since first releasing in 2015, has always had a fierce independent streak– from crafting your own music to choreographing your moves. When you look at your upcoming 12th mini album, what’s the most rebellious or unexpected thing you’ve done with it?
Working on an album is always a challenge. With all the members and countless staff putting their heads together, each with their own creative ideas, it can be tough to settle on a single direction. But this collaboration makes the process all the more fun and enjoyable. When the music or album we put out is loved by someone, it adds even more meaning to the effort.After selling out 23 shows last year, how do you top that kind of success? What’s the secret ingredient that makes this tour stand out?
We simply want to keep going. My goal is not to ‘sell out a show,’ but to make people who have attended our show want to come back and see more.The world knows you as SEVENTEEN, but when the cameras are off and the lights go down, what’s the one side of yourselves you wish fans could see more of?
I want to share whichever side they want to see, and sometimes I just want to show myself not as a celebrity, but as a person: Kim Mingyu.We know you’re all about precision and performance, but what’s the messiest, most chaotic moment you’ve had in the studio or during rehearsals that somehow turned out to be brilliant?
We go through that pattern all the time. During rehearsals, we wrestle with different opinions to find a middle ground, but since we’ve been working together for so long, we’ve learned to stick to our own set of standards. I think we’re pretty much on the same page about what’s ‘cool’, at least when it comes to our work as SEVENTEEN.Your discography has evolved so much over the years. If you could only perform one song from your entire career for the rest of your life, which one would it be, and why does it still resonate with you?
Lately, our song ‘Headliner’ has been on my mind a lot, maybe because of the Glastonbury Festival we recently performed at. But I’m pretty emotional and tend to change my mind often, so my answer might be different next time you ask me.As your global influence continues to grow, how do you see SEVENTEEN’s role in shaping the future of K-Pop and global Pop culture? What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
First of all, I think it’s now clear that SEVENTEEN is making some sort of impact somewhere (laughs). I hope that this impact spreads positive energy that makes people smile. I hope that we will all be able to look at the future with a more forward-looking mindset and see the world with a broader perspective, focusing on coming together rather than just looking out for themselves. We're always striving to do so ourselves, as SEVENTEEN.It’s safe to say you’ve won a lot of fans here in the UK. When can we next expect you on our home turf?
I’m always eagerly waiting for that chance to come over, and I know a lot of CARATs are too. I’ve dreamed of touring Europe since I was a kid, so I think it’s time to make it happen (laughs).

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wonderland (2024)

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perfect (2024)

“I really wanted to go to Fashion Weeks from when I was very little, in the days when it wasn’t really common for musical artists to be at fashion shows.”Towards the end of our conversation, the adorable K-pop idol Mingyu mentions a forthcoming trip to London. Mingyu’s full name is Kim Mingyu. He was born in Anyang, the 20th largest city in South Korea. For the last nine years, he has been one crucial cornerstone of the exciting, multi-platform, 13-strong Korean boy band phenomenon, Seventeen. This will be his first trip to Britain, a symbolic journey out of his artist’s heartland into new pastures.For brevity’s sake, all members of Seventeen (also: S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, THE8, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino) are known by curtailed versions of their full names. Like a video game or plotlines on an extravagant HBO series, Seventeen is divided into three identifiable subunits. Theirs constitute Singing, Performance, and Rapping. Mingyu is part of the rap troupe.Mingyu’s year-zero pop awakening was Justin Bieber’s evergreen teen classic, ‘Baby’, a song specifically titled to unleash maximum worldwide appeal. Like many Seventeen songs, it features a breakout middle-eight rap, Ludacris at his performative cutesiest. When he mentions ‘Baby’, Mingyu briefly breaks into singing its chorus, providing a short private audience his fans would simply die for and boldly bridging the geographical culture gap, East to West. He is charm itself.One week ago, Mingyu finished the official global promotions for Seventeen's first greatest hits album, 17 is Right Here, is a useful interloper’s guide to how K-pop became the most effective pop machine on the planet during their lifespan, a noisy youthful clapback to Western pop entering its dotage. On 20 November 2025, it will be 70 years since Elvis scored his first hit single, ‘That’s Alright’.All the Seventeen fan favorites are included on 17 is Right Here, full of lyrics nakedly, if chastely, aping some of the bodily urges of their fanbase. Last year, Seventeen sold 11 million copies of their EP FML and fourth full album, Face The Sun, comfortably breaking sales records at home. The latter’s signature song, ‘Hot’, is a propulsive play on Snoop Dogg’s ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’, sung in Korean and English and fizzing like a Catherine wheel. The engine room works of K-pop magic have a knack for sometimes sounding like an *Nsync record beamed in backwards from another planet.While the Western hit factory lopes towards its eight decade, K-pop is still full of enough unbridled hormonal energy to make Mingyu an elder statesman of the genre at 27. It’s fresh enough to confide Radio One playlisters. K-pop is a cacophonous musical Esperanto parents don’t understand, enveloping its exclusively young audience off to a private world, while incubating their passage to maturity, a secret only they share. Seventeen might be displacement fantasy boyfriends for their fans, but they work as surrogate big brothers, too, wrapping an arm around innocence. They disrupted the conveyor-belt nature of their industry by helping to write and produce their own material, of which all 13 members are justifiably proud. To find an analogous British counterpart, you have to travel back through half of Western pop’s history. They are the East 17 to BTS’ Take That. Or Blazing Squad without the petty crime inferences.K-pop folklore set up a mathematical riddle for the band at their outset. Thirteen members + three subunits + one whole = Seventeen. Tada! Seventeen is a special pop number anyway, the last blast year before adulthood, the final fling before responsibility kicks in.Today, Mingyu has a cold, apologizing profusely when he arrives on Zoom for being 20 minutes late. He has just seen his doctor but remains blessed with manners only a besotted mother can teach. He is polite to a fault, sporting a Dior logo sweatshirt, frequently running his hand through his hair, a customary Seventeen curtains cut he shares with at least another 12 boys in the band. Mingyu’s star sign is Aries. Fun Smash Hits! Mingyu fact: their vaguely narcotic-sounding mascot, Kim Bong-Bong, was based on a drawing by him.Mingyu is insanely pretty. ‘So, will I see you in London then?’ he asks, after speaking for all of 45 minutes. This assumed camaraderie is part of the K-pop pull. Once you’re in the gang – Seventeen fans, after a brief televised poll, christened themselves Carats – you’re not going anywhere. ‘It’s my first time.’ Mingyu possesses something of an altar boy’s helpful compliance; he instantly invokes paternal instincts. ‘Are you coming to Glastonbury?’ he asks, before chastising himself for letting out one of his forthcoming trade secrets. In June 2024, Seventeen made music history by becoming the festival’s first K-pop booking. ‘That’s a secret,’ he reiterates, putting his forefinger to his lips. I promise not to tell anyone, lost fleetingly in a new nugget of K-pop mythology, an engaging fantasy world to hover around. ‘I am sorry’, he says, breaking into delicate English. ‘But I am so proud of that.’Kim Mingyu was scouted on the streets of Anyang by a talent spotter for the Korean entertainment corporation, at 15. ‘I wasn’t that thoroughly prepared for auditions,’ he says. ‘I think our CEO just liked the way I looked.’ Mingyu had long harbored ambitions of becoming a pop star, without quite figuring out how. ‘When I was little, growing up I learned music off the Billboard chart. I kept a close eye on what songs were on there. And I watched a lot of the subtitled versions of foreign artists’ music videos. That was my dream, to become an artist, like maybe Bruno Mars or Justin Bieber.’Hip-hop was not his thing. ‘As a matter of fact, even though I do rap nowadays, I wasn’t that into rap back then. It’s just that I wanted to become somebody receiving all those cheers and screams from the crowd.’ Sequestered to Seoul for auditions, he became a part of a TV launchpad for a new K-pop boy band. ‘Before I became a trainee, I was just a plain old dark-skinned boy who loved soccer.’ Seventeen Project: Debut Big Plan aired on the Korean channel MBC Music to frenzied audience approval. ‘Back then, a lot of people wanted to become idols and there were a bunch of trainees at the company. I knew that a slot in the group wasn’t guaranteed for me. So I just tried to power through, hang in there.’One of his fellow trainees showed Mingyu the Eminem movie 8 Mile. His tastes began to swerve and mature. ‘There was this website which posted translated versions of hip-hop artists’ music videos. And I learned rapping and lyric writing off that website. I tried writing those lyrics myself, those rhymes. I found it really exciting. That was my start.'He isn’t quite sure why he was picked for the band (‘I tried really hard!’) and frequently, disarmingly, doubts his talents. ‘I still don’t think I’m good at rapping. I could work better, always.’ He reckons the best part of being part of the rap subunit of Seventeen is getting to write his own lyrics. ‘Back then it was unusual [for K-pop], but now a lot of artists do it. We were nicknamed “the self-produced idols” when we debuted.’Seventeen launched in 2015, hitting a decibel-rating public nerve with the kids of Korea. Their first stage appearance was a magical transformative rite of passage for the entertainer. ‘It was so nice,’ he says. ‘So comfortable. So many people on stage, but for hip-hop just four.’Seventeen began choreographing themselves, another K-pop anomaly. ‘It was so easy to get the formations right and I got to be more on camera.’ They represented a loosening of some strict parameters, 13 liquid bodies in perfect harmony. On 25 May 2020, with Seventeen’s sales peaking, Pledis was acquired by Hybe, the Korean entertainment colossus which has most successfully transported the K-pop magic to the West, responsible for the careers of BTS, Blackpink, and NewJeans.Mingyu says the dynamic for 13 teenage boys on stage was not competitive. His main goal was to learn to shed any natural performance anxiety in front of his bandmates. ‘Actually, it can be a little embarrassing to have my members seeing me enjoying the moment in front of the camera.’ For their management team, this complicated mix of bravado, humility, and self-consciousness played out like performance gold dust. Seventeen presented quite literal songs of innocence and experience.Where K-pop careers begin, others blow. ‘We live in a day and age where you can only succeed when you have the whole package,’ he notes. During the nine years of Seventeen, Mingyu has extended his remit into acting and modeling. ‘When we first debuted, the focus was on rapping and hip-hop. But these days in the musical scene, just because you’re great at one thing doesn’t make you a great artist. You have to be great at a wide range of things. Music, dancing, singing. You have to be personally charming, also a fashion icon etc, so I think I came to view things in a different light.’Fashion is a natural home for the heartthrob. His hero is a fellow Kim Jones. ‘I really wanted to go to Fashion Weeks from when I was very little, from the days when it wasn’t really common for artists to be at fashion shows.’ His first fashion show was walking for the Korean brand Big Park during autumn/winter 2017’s Seoul Fashion Week. ‘I was so young back then and fewer people knew Seventeen,’ he says. ‘I didn’t have that much confidence. But If I were given another chance now, I think I’d be able to enjoy the experience more.’ At this stage, a runway return feels more inevitability than possibility. This spring, he visited Paris for the first time for womenswear (‘I was a little bit nervous, trying to keep it cool’).Mingyu’s favorite film is A Star Is Born, ‘First off, because Bradley Cooper is on tour in this film, we saw ourselves,’ he says. ‘And although this would never happen to us, I thought it was very romantic that he ran into a woman who he falls in love with during the tour. And I know it was portrayed in kind of a dramatic way, but the hardships we go through were also embodied in that film. To me, it was something more than a romance film, it was an artist’s film.’In the event, the Seventeen Glastonbury performance slays. Their immaculate performance chops, honed over nine years professional service, played to a murky mid-afternoon crowd of affluent British festival-goers who have to relearn their unblighted sense of pop naivety, is daring, slick and sweet. By the last song, ‘Very Nice’ – effectively ‘Uptown Funk’ amped up on several grams of premium-grade whizz – the audience is putty. This feels like the beginning of something massive.‘K-pop in itself is a very big part of Korean culture,’ says Mingyu, the nicest man in pop. ‘Recently, I have had a chance to meet a lot of non-Korean Carats, and they told me that they started to learn Korean because of Seventeen. This really brought home to me the fact that we have a lot of influence in this scene.’He sounds genuinely surprised. I will only extend. ‘I’m just grateful that K-pop is receiving so much love and support across the world. And I just hope that this will not be a temporary thing, that it will last a very long time, as something meaningful.’

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perfect magazine (2024)

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vogue (2024)

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men noblesse (2024)

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men noblesse (2024)

It’s been a while since I searched SEVENTEEN MINGYU on the internet. For the past month, there were a lot of various news topics such as concerts, festivals, fan meetings, overseas schedules, brand events, etc.
I’m always busy these days, too (laughs). We’re having our fanmeeting in July, and we’re also having some overseas schedules like the Glastonbury Festival and Lollapalooza Berlin because it’s festival season. Besides those, there are also many other things that we are preparing!Recently, you also attended the ‘Octo Watch Pop-In’ opening event as Bulgari’s local ambassador. During that day, what was the watch that caught your eye?
Without even thinking about it, it’s the Octo Finissimo line. I like it because it fits well on my wrist and it’s also lightweight. A charming point of the Octo Finissimo collection is that the term ‘the world’s thinnest watch’ is attached to it. I think that being the ‘first’ and the ‘best’ is amazing in any field. It basically means it’s a combination of effort and tenacity. Actually, even if you put those things aside, [the watch is] cool to start with (laughs).It’s a choice that shows your active personality in the daily.
Correct. I like sports so much and since I have a job that requires my body to move a lot, I prefer my watches to be sporty or lightweight and comfortable.I agree. You have a personality that isn’t able to sit still, right? Do you also spend time just dazing/staring into stillness?
I think that doesn’t happen very often [to me]. Except when I’m inside a car moving from one place to another or when I’m waiting during a schedule. If I have some of my own time, I try to move as much as I can. I don’t want to waste my time.After about a year or so, we met again with Men Noblesse. We [the staff] also talk about that moment sometimes among ourselves. How MINGYU was wonderful as a model, but how MINGYU’s passion and bright energy was very likable. For nearly 10 years, it’s not easy to work at the same consistent energy, but are you as passionate as ever?
I think that I am passionate as ever(laughs).That’s something that I want to learn [from you]. Where does that power/enthusiasm come from?
I think that my future is the driving force itself. The future that I dream of is still huge, and there are still a lot of things that I have to work hard on. That’s why I have to keep on filling up the fuel, but fortunately, when I think about the future, I gain strength.I thought you would answer CARATS or the members.
Just like my family, that is a given.They say that singers recharge their energy on stage. Last May, SEVENTEEN entered Japan’s largest concert venue, the Nissan Stadium. I believe that you guys received amazing energy back then. I’d like to hear what you felt.
Before I even got on stage, I was feeling really nervous/excited. But as I went up on stage that moment, I was so overwhelmed by the scale [of the venue] that my hands were just shaking. It’s not like I haven’t done just one or two concerts. I still had so much fun after we performed ‘Super’, which was the first performance [of the concert] (laughs).Did you imagine [performing] on a stage of this scale when you were a trainee?
I didn’t even dream of it. I only thought of having to endure [being a trainee] during that time. I could have never imagined performing in a place with over 72000 people only there to see SEVENTEEN (laughs).At the place you are at right now, I’m curious as to what kind of future you are imagining.
There are many fun things in the world. I think that a lot of the restraints around being a K-POP artist have been broken down. I don’t think that you are just limited to being a performer or a musician. But rather it’s a place where you can try to do many things. [I’ve] also been given opportunities I had never imagined. You also have to be a jack-of-all-trades who does well in all facets. So right now, I think I am running towards ‘an unimaginable dream’.I suddenly thought ‘what are SEVENTEEN’s strengths’ out of curiosity. Seeing Bulgari’s Octo Watch, I wondered if they could make a watch even thinner than that, but they break the record each time amongst ultra thin [watches]. It’s made possible with persistence. Is there anything that you ceaselessly want to excel at too?
Wouldn’t it be dancing and singing? Considering both those things made me who I am today. Rather than being satisfied with my skills, I endlessly strive to excel and wish to become better.Not just as a SEVENTEEN member, but your own career seems to be growing right on track.
Thank you for thinking that way (laughs).What kind of time are you standing on right now?
I think I’m running through my most precious youth. I hope that when I look back at this time in the distant future, I will think of it as the most passionate [time of my life]. I hope that this time continues on for a long time too.Anyone would always wish to be in their youth, but there aren’t a lot of people who make it. As you get older, you have to keep working hard in order to achieve something. What kind of efforts do you make in order to have an endless youth?
I make the most out of my own personal time. I consistently ask myself, “what should I do at that time in order to make myself happy?” Then after that, I think, “what is happiness?” (laughs)As much as the pressure has built up, SEVENTEEN has many hit songs. Can you pick one song that became a motivation in your own life?
The feelings that arise per song differs. As I’m doing the interview now, I thought of “Don’t Wanna Cry” from our 4th EP. At the time, we went to LA to film the music video and experienced many new things. I realized that there are still a lot of worlds that I don’t know of as one single person and as a musician. Let’s say it’s the song that became a turning point in my life.Next year will be 10 years since your debut. Is there anything you have planned to do?
Probably spend time with our members. I plan on doing that! Not get carried away by the ‘10 years’. I hope all the members gather and look over the time that’s passed and share stories of this and that.Within the past 10 years, what are the things you have gained and let go of?
I think I have gained the ability to understand the ‘differences’ that come with each person. I think that each person has their ‘differences’ and there is no person that is ‘wrong’. This is how I communicate with others.As your schedule is packed all summer, I’m sure you can’t even dream of something like a summer vacation. Regardless, if you were to imagine, where do you want to go?
I want to walk around the cities in Europe. There should be a pretty ocean [nearby], too (laughs). Recently, I went to LA alone, and the time I spent alone was quite alright. The conversations I had in an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar people were also nice. I have liked people ever since I was young, and I was the type to always choose to spend time with someone rather than be alone. However, through that trip, I realized the importance of alone time. There are things I learned too within that time. I want to have that kind of experience again once more. If time only permitted. (laughs)

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esquire hong kong (2024)

In front of the camera, MINGYU performs confidently; during [our] interview, he responds sincerely and earnestly. He, who is so at ease and relaxed, is full of the charms [characteristic] of the new generation of artists.As brilliant as diamonds
At times, as I see people around me idolize the various members of SEVENTEEN and hear them share stories of Carats, the infectiousness of SEVENTEEN becomes apparent. Little did I think that when we first entered the filming set for our first-ever collaboration with MINGYU, that we–as people who in the [entertainment] industry who often encounter different idols–would also marvel at MINGYU who was in front of us. He was overwhelmingly handsome, had an excellent physique, and was also extremely professional.We couldn’t help but ask how he felt about their concert in Macau that they held not too long ago, and he replied laughingly, “This is our second time going to Macau, and the first and second times have all left wonderful memories behind for me. The audience’s reactions at the concert were amazing, and the food also suited my tastes. Everything was so perfect, from the hotel, to the concert venue, the restaurants, the sights/scenic attraction spots, etc.”With SEVENTEEN’s recent Macau concert, I realized I actually knew quite a few CARATs, and truly felt the might of the CARATs around me’s love for the different members of SEVENTEEN.Growth and experience
Because of the discovery of a talent scouter, MINGYU became a Pledis trainee. He underwent a 4 year trainee period, and took in a large amount of dance and stage experience, until arriving at 2015 where he debuted as a SEVENTEEN member and became a part of the hip-hop team. Before we knew it, SEVENTEEN had already been active for 9 years. We talked with him about this 9 year experience. He said, “I felt like these 9 years really went by so fast. In particular, after renewing our contracts, it felt as though there was a big change. After that point, it feels like time has moved even faster. Although there were many unforgettable moments, recently in an award show when we won a daesang, was really precious and joyful.”In 2024, SEVENTEEN’s schedule seems quite tight– from March to May, they will perform in three venues for their tour ‘FOLLOW AGAIN’, when asking him what other plans he has for this year, he said, “Firstly, we are preparing for an album. I am also, at the same time, focusing on my personal goals. I hope that in the future, I have the opportunity to do even more different things, that’s why I consider right now to be a time to keep improving.”An experience done together
Recently, when looking at the variety shows airing, I came across NANA TOUR with SEVENTEEN. I could watch 12 members of the group spend a happy 7 days in Italy on holiday– the members had really interesting interactions, and the show was genuine yet entertaining. When asking MINGYU what is the secret to getting along and communicating so well with the members, he immediately responded with, “Actually, there isn’t a particular secret/know-how,” he laughed and said, “To me, everyone is family! Recently, we were able to go on vacation with the members through NANA TOUR, but unfortunately S.COUPS could not join, so I hope that there will be another chance for all of us to go on vacation together. I think it will be really interesting, because all the members may want to go to different places.”When talking about vacation and holidays, he said, “I want to travel to many different places, even if it is for a short time it would still be nice. I like to experience new places and also being far from my comfort zone.” When asking him what travel plans he has for the year, he said, “Because Korea is in winter right now, I want to go somewhere warm with the ocean/beach.”Constant improvement
We are all very curious, what is MINGYU’s regular work schedule as a k-pop boy group member, and how does he endure a schedule so busy he barely has time to take a breath. Surprisingly, he laughed and responded with an unexpected answer, “The days I don't have a schedule may be even more busy! Just from lessons, exercise, managing myself, grabbing a cup of coffee… a day just passes like that.”Since everyday is so busy, [we asked him] what he does to relieve the stress that his work brings. His simple immediate answer was, “The fans probably already know the answer to this, I relieve stress through exercise (laughs).” Apart from performances and the other different things he has to do on a daily basis, he still has time to exercise, which does not even encompass the group’s dance practice. He said earnestly, “Compared to other special training, I invest the most time in dance practice, [but] I don’t think dancing can be a substitute for exercise. The more I exercise, the more I feel the need to work harder in dance practice. In order to make dancing on stage feel more effortless, or simply just because we want to dance even better, we all place a lot of importance in dance practice.”

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esquire hong kong (2024)

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arena homme+ (2024)

How should I say this, MINGYU is…
Personally, he is a cool, young man with the most down-to-earth personality I have seen. The dictionary meaning of ‘청년’ (young man) is, “a person who’s in the prime of physical or mental growth or maturity.” MINGYU is exactly that himself. We had the shoot a few days before the Lunar New Year, and for some reason, it felt like a holiday where all of our distant relatives had gathered as we exchanged words of blessing and greetings with each other for the new year. The very giddy atmosphere at the shooting site was a refreshing sight to see. MINGYU played a big role– he treated all the staff with such a gentle attitude as if he was like a baby brother who grew up well after such a long time. And also in the midst of that, he captured all the details directed during the shoot without missing them out. In his serious eyes that focused on tiny suggestions/ideas, I could feel how much he was doing his best at the moment. The close-up shots being captured on the monitor real-time were also very much admirable/impressive. His bright and upright personality was all revealed on his face. He was a young man with such clear eyes. The healthy and bright image of MINGYU was exactly in line with the dispositions of Bulgari B.zero1, which celebrated their 25th anniversary. One ring meeting a complex layering fit one another as if they have found their perfect match. Plus Arena. Truly a perfect combination. (Choi Taekyung)

There are occasionally some people who don’t eat the day before a photoshoot. What about MINGYU?
I also don’t usually eat at a late time before the day of my shoot, but I ended up] eating yesterday (laughs).What kind of menu did you have?
Since I thought that I should at least have something healthy, I ate sliced raw yellowtail. I went to the gym and did some lower body exercises just so I can reduce my puffiness this morning even for just a bit.They say that there is a high attendance rate [for gym goers] at the gym during the beginning of the year. You’re usually known for diligently working out, so how’s your attendance rate these days?
I have a high attendance rate [at the gym]. I consistently [work out] around 6 times a week. Not because it’s the beginning of the year, but I’ve been consistently going to the gym for 3-4 years now.Your attendance rate is amazing. This may seem as an impolite question but around how much weight can you lift for the big 3 (bench press, squat, and deadlift)?
I haven’t measured [the weight] exactly but wouldn’t it be around 300kg? Actually, I have to work out [different areas of my body] evenly but I end up focusing on my favorite exercises instead.I checked your Instagram and your 3 recent posts are all photos from Italy. Among the photos you have taken in Italy, is there a photo that you look back to the most often?
Whenever we go on tour or vacation outside of the country, I really take a lot of photos. Before sleeping during that day [of taking photos] I choose photos that I’m satisfied with and add it to my favorites [album]. And whenever I think about it, I only gather [and post] photos that I added to my favorites.What’s your own standard of adding [photos] to your favorites?
My face? (Laughs) I’m sure that everybody might also feel the same, but of course I like photos where my face comes out well. Or if I like the composition or color of the photo, I’m the type to add it to my favorites.You usually hang out with the members when going overseas. Is there a member who you trust and ask for when taking your photo?
I don’t know what the members will think if they get to read this interview, but there’s no member whom I trust [to take my photos]. (Laughs) So first, I just ask them to take a lot of photos. They can just take the photo so just keep on pressing the shutter button. Among all the photos taken, I could just edit one of them and edit it on my own.[On the other hand,] are the members satisfied with the photos that you have taken for them?
I, myself, think that I’m great at taking photos. I think they’re all satisfied. So it’s always a bummer when I always ask, “can’t you take my photo like how I take yours?”Idols travel all over the world, but I think that it would be tough [to describe it as] ‘a travel-like trip’ [and not something related to work/business]. In that regard, I’m curious how your Italy trip during ‘NANA TOUR’ this time was.
The viewers who have watched NANA TOUR could think, 'since there are cameras around, [the scenes] might have had some directing involved,' but that totally didn't happen at all. It really felt like I was on a [proper] vacation. I also watched NANA TOUR and I felt a bit embarrassed. I thought, 'did I show too much of my natural self?' I think that's how comfortable I was going on the trip.While you were on a 7-day and 6-night trip in Italy, what was the most memorable city/neighborhood for you?
Porto Venere, which was the last place we’ve gone to during the trip, was the most memorable. It’s a small seaside town located in Western Italy. Usually, when you think of [the words] ‘Italy trip], the first thing you think about could be Milan, Rome, or Florence. This time around, we went to a smaller city. I liked everything–the cute feeling unique to a small town, the shops we saw in a small alley, and the sparkling beach.Do you normally like traveling too?
I say I do like it, but I don’t travel often. Though in one part of my mind, I always think, “I want to travel.”Then you did like it, right? I think stress management is part of your skills. Do you have your own know-how in terms of managing stress?I think that this is something that I chose right for myself. Even if I don’t necessarily do anything, I’m the type to forget about [my stress] as time passes by. Of course, there are times when I get stressed. But if I can relieve my stress through the actions that I can immediately do, I’m the type to do it right away. For example, [if I think that,] “This level of stress can be relieved if I exercise and sweat it out,” then I immediately go to the gym.What do you usually do when you’re resting?
I mostly exercise. Gym, soccer, golf, badminton, tennis, etc. I definitely like moving around and sweating.As you mentioned football, did you watch the Asian cup?
Aye, of course.In three days, there will be the [football] quarterfinals against Jordan based on today (Feb 4). Once this interview is released, the final results will be out already. If you were to predict the winner?
I believe [Korea] will win. In the finals, Hwang Heechan will score one goal, and Son Heungmin will score one goal. I’m not sure who the finals will be against or what the final score will be like. It could be 2:1 or 2:0 but I think we will win with 2 goals. (And three days later Korea lost in the quarterfinals.)Like our national football team, SEVENTEEN also gathers in a circle before going on stage and says ‘fighting!’ What do you talk about then?
Firstly, the person who yells out ‘fighting’ changes every time. There’s no set order or routine. On the day, the question ‘who’s doing it today?’ comes up and the member will yell it out. Here, each member’s [personal] tendencies come out. I usually scream. I’m also not sure what [else] we say, but when ‘fighting’ is yelled out with a loud voice, we get excited. From that atmosphere, the energy raises up and we go onstage.As you’ve worked [as an idol], you must have had a moment wherein you thought, ‘I did a good job choosing this job.’
When we go on tour, I have those kinds of thoughts a lot. I mentioned this earlier as well, but I really like traveling. Honestly, when going overseas, there are a lot of things to worry about. From checking in at the airport, accommodation, transportation, and food. When we go on tour, we’re able to go overseas in a good environment as there are many people who take care [of us]. I think I’m very thankful for this job.When you go on tour overseas, you might not feel, “ah, I’ve come to a different country,” as you mostly go back and forth from the hotel and the concert hall only.
That’s right. So I try to make as much time as I can to go around. If I give up a bit of sleep at night after dinner, or the morning of a concert day, then I’m able to freely use my time. As much as possible, I try to take in the country with my eyes by going on a walk nearby the hotel or looking around a night market. Equally, I also try to eat food [there as much as I can].You could also just want to stay at the hotel and comfortably lie down and rest, so that’s impressive.
There are members who don’t come out of the hotel at all after the concert. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad thing or they like it less. It just seems to be in my character to like looking and going around.As I was looking for resources/information [to research about you], there’s a story where it says that you sang the national anthem while wearing slippers during your first audition. Is this true?
[Until now,] the members still say something about that. That during that time, I wore slippers. (Laughs) I guess that my friends who were also trainees [at that time] first saw me. I remember it clearly– I wore the Vans that my mom bought for me that day. Actually, I went with a friend because I was shy during the auditions. That friend was wearing slippers. I think the members mixed it up in their heads. But the slippers thing was actually not real.Then [what about] the national anthem?
It’s true that I sang the national anthem.Which verse of the national anthem did you sing?
I sang the first verse. I went out of tune during the chorus so I sang only up until that part (laughs).ou can still become a judge at an audition in 10 years. If you were to meet someone who is the same as 15-year-old MINGYU, what would you tell them?
If they looked like me and their height was 186cm, then… I would cheer them on. (laughs) I think their skills can be sharpened. How amazing would it be if they had the courage to sing the national anthem? Because if I hadn’t sung the national anthem back then, I could’ve not become [part of] SEVENTEEN right now. I think your will is more important than your skills with everything you start for the first time.Do you remember what it felt like when you were going to your audition at the time?
Of course. Firstly, it was my first time going to Seoul. My home was in Gyeonggi-do, Anyang but I had to go all the way to Cheongdam station and look for the address of the company. It was very scary.Did you decide on [singing the] national anthem before going [to the auditions]?
From what I remember, I think the host said, “It’d be good if you prepared a song, but if you have none, then just come [to the audition] first.”. So I went ahead [without deciding]. They could’ve also wanted to have a light conversation face-to-face. As I went to where the audition was held, they said that I have to show them one song and one dance. (laughs)What did you dance?
I danced a clap I learned at church for a minute.So it was a dance routine rather than a dance.
It wasn’t even a dance routine, I was just [riding the] rhythm. (laughs)I heard that you have the fourth longest trainee period among the members of SEVENTEEN, I’m curious as to what kind of thoughts you had most during that time.
I was a trainee for slightly over 4 years. In the first 1-2 years, my thoughts of, “I have no clue what I’m doing right now,” grew bigger. As well as, “there are so many kids at my school who are good at singing and have special talents, so why am I the one who’s here?” From my 3rd year [of being a trainee], I got more ambitious. More than anything, the [first] 2 years I spent as a trainee were such a waste [as I had that mindset throughout it]. Though that time was a waste, I thought, “I’ll endure until the end.”It seems you didn’t have the uncertainties of ‘will I be able to debut?’ then.
I’m saying this now, but I’ve always thought, “I think I’ll be able to debut.” I don’t know why, but I’ve always had that confidence.SEVENTEEN releases more than 2 albums every year. What is your driving force for such productivity?
Other artists might be the same. I love it most when I’m standing on stage. For me to stand on stage, there must be a new album. Of course, it’s difficult when we’re working on a song and practicing. It’s difficult each time. However, once that difficult time finishes, the joy in standing on stage is much greater. Now that I’ve found the joy in showing CARATs a new side of myself, work has become more fun.I heard that you sleep a lot during the morning. Are there moments for you during the morning where, ‘I just really want to take a rest just for a day today’?
I was like that for today, too. (Laughs) An hour before I had to work out, my alarm went off and I woke up thinking, “should I just sleep more, what should I do?” During my trainee days, I slept so much that I got scolded many times, too. Looking back, I think that the hardest thing while doing this field of work is sleeping. But what can I do? I just have to do it.This is a different topic, and though there is someone among the members who is named DK, I heard that it was supposed to be MINGYU’s stage name.
It would’ve been around 6 months before our debut. There was a time when each member had to decide on their name [to be used] for promoting. That time, the company suggested the name DK to me. I also remember the meaning [of the name] – 도(道) meaning path and 겸(兼) meaning concurrent/simultaneous. DK’s real name is Seokmin, and during that time… was Seokmin’s stage name ‘8light’? (Laughs) That [stage name] went away, with DK going to Seokmin and I promoted using my real name instead.At that time, did you have a stage name that you had in mind for yourself?
I didn’t at all. I wanted to use my real name. These days, there are moments when I think, “what would it have been if I used a stage name?” once in a while. Since I’m doing activities as part of the hiphop unit, I think I would’ve had a little bit of freedom incorporating that [stage] name in the lyrics or when we’re promoting if I had a [stage] name that fits the genre.As the years go by, the proportion of vocals in a song has gotten greater as much as rap [verses]. Was there a special reason?
I’ve thought of wanting to broaden the music spectrum that I’ve been doing. Since I’m part of the hiphop unit, it’s a given that I should do well in rapping. But at some point, I wanted to do well in singing as well. I think that the core of K-pop is showing the best completeness [to the audience and fans] by mixing various elements and genres. With that, it’s important to be good at rapping, singing, and dancing.Was there ever a moment where you thought of broadening your music spectrum?
I think it was after we released our 9th mini album ‘Attacca’ in 2021. If by that time I wanted to focus on doing my part well, my desire of wanting to quickly show [to the audience] what I prepared as my confidence [in performing] on stage got bigger. I still remember ‘Rock With You’ in particular. I was recording it, and it was also my first time to hear that kind of voice of mine. I thought of wanting to let CARATs hear it as soon as possible, and they sympathized and praised me a lot for things that I felt were new to me when the album came out. I felt that kind of fun.As you prepare for your album, [you might have thoughts like,] “I hope I receive this kind of feedback,” and work on it. What kind of feedback do you like receiving the most?
Recently, I saw a certain video on YouTube and there was a comment that said, “The parts where MINGYU sings are all killing parts.” It made me feel great. 13 members sing one song with sharing [the lines accordingly], and I think that it’s a success when [people] remember me even for a short while.The topic of getting compliments/phrases came out, and your cooking skills got acknowledged by Mr. Baek Jongwon after cooking 20 servings of bibimguksu. What’s the food you’re most confident to cook these days?
I haven’t been cooking often recently. If I were to pick still, I have confidence in cooking pasta and steak (laughs).When eating out or ordering delivery, what kind of food is your favorite?
The food that I think I shouldn't eat the most– noodles. Naengmyeon, makguksu, jajangmyeon, jjampong, kalguksu… I really eat noodles well. Come to think of it, I ate pyeongyang cold noodles for dinner last night and lunch today (laughs).What will you be eating after getting off work today?
For dinner, I’ll be eating chicken breast.People tend to usually eat something delicious after [getting off work]. It seems like you're the opposite.
If I were to have a know-how to take care of my body, I would eat what I want to eat in the morning. In the evening, I try to eat something that's digestible and healthy. So before I sleep, I think of what I want to eat for breakfast the next morning.Last question. What kind of person would you like to be remembered 10 years from now?
I'll be 38 in 10 years. (Laughs) Personally, I hope that [people could] think of me like, “MINGYU got cooler,” “so manly.” Musically, I want my personal style to be established to some extent. It would be nice if a specific genre, music video, or performance comes to mind first when someone says ‘MINGYU’.

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arena homme+ (2024)

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cosmopolitan (2023)

You refreshingly cut your hair. Do you like it?
Yes, I like it. The people around me would say, “It’s best when [the length of] your hair is just right,” “Your long hair has this certain vibe to it, too,” “It looks refreshing, seeing [how you cut] your hair short,” and such, and [people have] different likes and dislikes, but people can’t do the same thing forever, right? I think that [having a] change is necessary whenever.How was today’s shoot with Bulgari?
I had the shoot with having the jewelry stand out more than me in mind. And there were also more unconventional outfits than I thought (laughs). It was a fun shoot.Of course, it was a shoot that showed much of your strong body!
I’m still not ready (laughs). I didn’t have any thoughts of wanting to already show [my body]. I just appealed my charm to an extent that I could show in a photoshoot. Please write down that I absolutely didn’t do it because of my desire of wanting more (laughs).Your body is great, but why though?
I want to gain more muscles and lose more fat. I keep on wanting more. Whenever I tell my members, “Since when did my body get this petite?” the kids would say, “Hyung, it didn’t. You absolutely didn’t. [Your body is] very huge.” (laughs). When it comes to my own satisfaction, I think it’s still not enough.Your fancam for ‘Super’ exceeded 1 million views. These are what the top comments said, “The blessings of [seeing Mingyu's] muscles are endless," "A muscular [man] who enters among a sea of male idols.”
Wow, I don’t think so though. (laughs) But it does make me proud, since not all can be that thin. Everyone has their own preferences, and I’m thankful to the people who like my style. Then, I can work out more, right? (laughs)I’m curious about your motivation for taking care of your body like this.
I want to be loved/liked well. If I receive love, then I try [my best to work harder]. (laughs)SEVENTEEN became the first Korean singers to surpass 5 million pre-order copies by surpassing more than 5.2 million with their 11th mini album ‘SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN’. How do you feel?
I can’t believe it. I thought, “How is this possible?” (laughs) It feels great, but it also makes me think about a lot of things. Though we get the feeling of happiness seeing the numbers, there’s also a sense of great pressure that it gives. [It gives me thoughts like,] ‘Until how far can we go, how much more can we grow.’Still, there’s a glimpse of your desire to go further from here.
We have to keep on going even more. We have to keep on going no matter what.In an interview before the release of your 10th mini album ‘FML’, you said you were going to properly show that SEVENTEEN is still actively promoting [in the industry]. That is what ended up happening, did you predict it?
The song was really good, and we did our best performance-wise so we had confidence. When watching the ‘God of Music’ music video, we also felt that this album was going to do very well. But I am, of course, thankful that it came true. We are in our 9th year, but each time, we feel surprised and thankful. There are also increasingly more people recognising me on the streets.As the first K-pop artists, you will be giving a speech at the UNESCO Youth Forum. What will you be talking about?
I have always wanted to do a speech at some point, but now that it’s happening, I feel very nervous. I feel like this is the most nervous I’ve been in my whole life. (laughs) Although I feel pressure, I also have a huge desire to do well. SEVENTEEN has been consistently donating to [organizations such as] The Good Neighbors, The Green Umbrella Children’s Fund, The UNESCO Korean Committee, and more, for the sake of vulnerable children and adolescents. I think I will speak about what kind of impact our activities [as idols] have on youth.This is something I felt from last time as well, when you and Joshua had a shoot, but you’re very friendly to the staff. You show no hesitation, and you’re warm and kind.
I’m today’s model– Mingyu of SEVENTEEN, I don’t think [of myself] as Mingyu, the main character. Every person in this shoot is doing their best in their respective positions. We work together to achieve one goal. After all, it’s nice to work enjoyably, and it’s a good thing if I am the person who is creating that kind of [enjoyable work] environment. Since I was younger, I think I’ve just grown accustomed to liking people. (laughs)It’s fascinating that I can't see a single wrinkle on you. You look bright and healthy.
I am healthy! Of course, I also go through difficulties and there are times where my self-esteem falls/waivers.When do you struggle?
I’m honestly not the best.Starting with your looks, you are the best.
Thank you. (laughs) There are so many talented people– our members and other artists. There are so many people that rap and sing better than I do. I once had worries like, “Of what use am I?” However, after three weeks, my feelings changed and I thought, “No, this isn’t bad and that isn’t bad either. Being good at both this and that could be even better!” The good thing about my personality is, I can brush aside my hardships very quickly. Even if it does take long, it’s never gone over a month. There was also a time that I thought, “No but, it was that hard and stressful so how did I forget about [my difficulties] so quickly?” (laughs) Even if I have any difficulties, I really like meeting with people and sharing enjoyable and fun stories that I quickly forget [my hardships].You’re humble, and you also have ambitions [to improve oneself].
Of course, I have to. When I contradict myself on what I say on the contrary of what I’m actually supposed to say, I get hit by reality. I want to uphold what I have said.What kind of person do the members of SEVENTEEN say you are?
A good hyung, a good dongsaeng, and a kind person. I think that’s right. I’ll continue to be like that. I don’t do bad things. (laughs).What kind of person do you see/think of yourself as?
Me? Hm… A person who likes receiving compliments.You seem like someone who does better when told, “[You’re] pretty, [you’re] pretty”.
That’s right, I like compliments. I’m not completely satisfied after being complimented, but when I hear a compliment, I feel very proud. Since I am like this, I am exactly fit for this job! There are times when it feels tough, but this amount [of praise] makes me feel very very happy.What kind of team is SEVENTEEN to MINGYU?
An unchanging team. I don’t feel like SEVENTEEN has changed from 10 years ago, or will change 10 years in the future. I want to be a team that is always shining on stage as 13 members. I hope that SEVENTEEN will always be SEVENTEEN.It will soon be December, how did you spend this year?
As I get older, it feels like each year slowly passes by faster. Last year, it was so hectic since we were on tour, and I said, “Why does time pass so quickly?” but it hasn’t been long since I said those words and now this year is ending. (laughs) I think, as a team, this was a very special year– SEVENTEEN was able to take another big leap through <FML> and <SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN> in 2023, so it will be a year that’s hard to forget.What will you do on the last day of the year?
I want to have a party with the members. [I want to] turn on some music, dance, play, and then sit and talk. At first, we will listen to hip hop and R&B, and then after our energy has risen, we will play our own songs. I want to listen to one of the B-sides on the recent album [titled] ‘Headliner’. While [listening to the song] with the meaning that we are each other’s headliner, we can compliment among the members and celebrate with each other.

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cosmopolitan (2023)

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rolling stone (2023)

How would you describe S.COUPS’ leadership?
MG The role of a leader is obviously so important, but I think as time goes on, I feel like now, he’s also just one of 13 - I want to lift the burden of being a leader off of his shoulders.You’ve spent so many years together and seen one another grow. In what ways do you think your personalities have changed over the years?
WW I think I’ve become brighter [smiles].
MG, SC, VN That’s right.
SC Wonwoo has become brighter. I think Mingyu has always been positive. Vernon seems like he’s a third party, thinking on his own….
MG He needs to be reprimanded.Within the Hip-Hop Unit, who has grown the most since your debut?
MG Grown? Wouldn’t it be Vernon? He’s become bigger compared to then [laughs.]
VN Oh… Physically! [Laughs]
MG I think mentally, we’re all similar.
SC Vernon does the most within the unit in terms of producing, too, so I think musically as well. There’s a lot I learn from Vernon when we’re working, producing things for our unit. He helps, and I go to him for advice, too. And when looking at results, the member who has improved the most is always Mingyu.
MG [Surprised.] Oh?
SC When writing lyrics, Wonwoo is the type to be really quick and good, so that’s just the norm now. But with Mingyu, he struggles when it comes to writing.
MG It’s so hard….
SC So I see him and worry - “Is it going to come out okay?” But then when I see the final product, Mingyu always surprises me. I think he’s grown the most.As the Hip-Hop Unit, where do you look for inspiration, whether it’s music or fashion?
MG Instagram for me. I think it’s the fastest way to see trends.Aside from hip-hop, what genres or styles of music do you like?
MG I like band music, and country as well.Is there an artist you like?
SC [Laughs.] He searches “band music” on YouTube and finds a good playlist.
MG When we were in Japan, I found Japanese bands that I like too.What do you think CARATs love most about SEVENTEEN?
MG That we’re handsome. I think it’s time for us to get recognized for our visuals!What’s your favorite thing to hear from fans?
MG He’s insane. [In English] “He’s crazy.” Like seeing us onstage and being like, “Wow, that was insane. Wow, they’re so cool.” for comments like that to come out naturally.Other than your members, is there anyone you go to for advice or support?
MG I think because the worries we have are not common for most people, we need to have these conversations with people who can relate and understand us. To others, they could seem like champagne problems.Do you spend a lot of time together when you’re on break as well?
SC I play sports with Mingyu.
MG Personally, I’d like to have a meal with Seungkwan… Don’t know why he’s so busy. He doesn’t contact me back. He always has plans already.
SC That’s how I feel about you! I want to eat and play with you, but you always have plans!
MG But I still answer your calls.
SC You don’t answer calls! [Laughs.]All right, last question. Is there anything new you want to learn this year?
MG English.
SC You are learning it.
MG Yes, but I want to try harder. As if my life is on the line.Your life?
MG I’m going to learn it!
SC I’m learning now, but near the end of the year, I want to compete in a jiu-jitsu tournament. I saw Tom Hardy compete and thought it was amazing.
MG Just don’t go out there and embarrass yourself.
SC That’s also an experience!
MG If you do that, I’ll go on Weverse and post the time and date for S.COUPS’ competition. We can make a good event out of it.

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l'officiel ph (2023)

MOOD MAKER
As a member of the hip-hop unit of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN, KIM MINGYU is an expert in grabbing people’s attention. But making a good impression for being easy on the eyes isn’t the only reason why people are drawn to him. Whether he’s changing light bulbs in the band’s dorm or springing on stage with boundless enthusiasm, MINGYU’s magnetism arises from radiating contagious energy that brightens the mood of everyone around him.

It’s common to rise and fall fast in entertainment. However, artists like MINGYU have acquired the right mindset to sustain their shine. Aptly named Min (precious gemstone) Gyu (star), which loosely translates to a precious gemstone that shines like a star, the 25-year-old K-pop artist is embraced by CARATs (SEVENTEEN’s fandom) worldwide for his sunny disposition. He’s always seen smiling or laughing which is a welcome contrast to his fiery presence on stage. As part of the group’s hip-hop unit, he spits fully loaded verses that hit hard even if you don’t speak his language. But as part of SEVENTEEN, the ‘band of brothers’ that consists of 13 members namely S.COUPS, JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, JUN, HOSHI, WONWOO, WOOZI, THE8, MINGYU, DK, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON, and DINO— he’s known as “Housewife MINGYU” and the “dorm-cleaning fairy” who cooks and cleans for the group.He looks after his team to the point that he also became the group's resident repairman in charge of fixing broken things and redesigning their unit's interiors. Naturally, one of the tracks he included in SEVENTEEN' Spotify playlist “MINGYU's Healing List" is Fix You by Coldplay. Indeed, he has a knack for fixing things.But these days, performing on stage and repairing household items aren't his only chief concerns. He's also busy expanding his musical range especially after releasing the downtempo track, Bittersweet, a collaboration with K-pop vocalist Lee Hi and fellow SEVENTEEN member, WONWOO, with whom he shares a close friendship. Watched by over 15 million people on YouTube, the music video is an open-ended tale about love, friendship, and everything in between. MINGYU's vocals add a layer of soulful cadence to the song's groovy ambiance and cinematics. It's an emotional hymn that reinforces MINGYU's talent to set the mood-in real life or otherwise.The future looks promising for MINGYU and as of 2021- together with SEVENTEEN-he has renewed his contract with Pledis Entertainment as a way to take part in strengthening the group's faith in maturing collectively toward adulthood. In this interview, MINGYU tells us what keeps him and SEVENTEEN shine as they continue to spread positivity.

How are you?
After the tour, I’ve been taking things slow, enjoying leisure time.How did you become a singer?
When I was a trainee, I happened to take a rap class, and I became interested in it from then on. Writing the lyrics was fun.What’s the most liberating thing about rapping?
In the case of our hip-hop unit, everyone starts together, and when the theme is decided, each starts to decide on their parts and try to make sure each part reflects the different personalities of the four members. There’s also a lot of editing and working in consultation with the members to improve the completeness of the song.As a member of SEVENTEEN, what’s the best thing about being part of a larger group?
I’m never bored. It’s fun when we’re following our schedule together, and I’m very reassured when I’m on stage.You describe yourself as someone who’s like the sky— bright and sunny. Can you share experiences when this trait became apparent?
I usually live with that kind of heart. Whatever you think, try to do that. It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific moment.What makes you optimistic these days?
Exercise. I’ve been relaxing for about a week after the tour, but the tour and schedule were hectic and not easy, so I think the best thing these days is to do what I want to do comfortably every day.How do you cope when you’re feeling down?
When I’m feeling down, I’ll have a glass of whiskey.You’re 25 years old and have achieved major success in the entertainment industry. Besides rapping, you also tried singing and acting. Are you willing to do more things besides music?
Since I’ve never formally challenged myself in acting, I would like to try acting If I get a chance later.When SEVENTEEN was just starting out, you said you would cry when watching old videos. Looking back, what was the most memorable moment in your career?
No matter how much I look back, I think today is the best and tomorrow will even be better.What’s the biggest thing you learned as a member of SEVENTEEN?
I learned that people cannot think the same way. I learned that it’s wiser to acknowledge the differences than to try to change each other.What’s the difference between MINGYU the individual and MINGYU the K-pop star?
K-pop star MINGYU might seem glamorous, always very busy living life fiercely. However, Kim MINGYU, just an individual, is a person who feels enough happiness from the little things in life.What do you think is your most attractive characteristic— physical and otherwise?
Eyes. My eyes change frequently. There are times when my double eyelids get darker and there are times when they become softer. And I think they give a different impression each time. I think my eyes looked different in today’s shoot as well.Describe your personal style. What items or pieces do you think best capture your sense of fashion?
These days, I like sporty clothes. In the past, I wore a lot of slacks and jeans to dress up, but now that I like sports, I like casual and sporty outfits.You are admired by many but who do you admire?
I like Coldplay’s music, and the person I admire is my father.You said in a previous interview that you wanted to “make every moment of your life more meaningful. Have you been able to do that recently?
I’ve been living with that kind of mindset lately. I live like that every moment. I try to feel and enjoy every moment to the fullest.Hip-hop is a style of music that often contains powerful lyrics. Are there any rap songs or lyrics that you live by?
I don’t have a specific song in mind. I think we feel too many things as we live to represent through a single song.How was shooting for L’Officiel Philippines this time?
I’m really looking forward to seeing the response from our fans in the Philippines. I personally really liked the colors of the photos, and the lighting shed light on the lines that form my facial features. The clothes fit perfectly, and it was so much fun overall. It’s always a pleasure.

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l'officiel ph (2023)

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cosmopolitan (2023)

Joshua and Mingyu, what kind of combination would you call the two of you?
MG The gathering of ENFJS. And it’s also a combination of angels (laughs).
JS Both of us hear that a lot (laughs).
MG When I’m with hyung, I feel at ease. [Joshua] gets along well with anyone, and he’s very considerate.I felt that both of you were quite sociable/friendly at the set today. You guys bring the staff that you work together with joy, and greet the staff whom you met for the first time with an eyesmile.
MG I can say with confidence that we take good care [of the staff] (laughs). When it gets too busy, there are instances where we aren't able to be aware and look out for them [to make their jobs easier], but we still do our best.
JS A common point that we both have is that we’re both very nosy (laughs).What else do Joshua and Mingyu have in common?
MG We also have another thing in common– both of us like to organize [things].
JS I like to collect perfumes, and I fix them prettily according to their bottle shape and scent.
MG For me, I organize my skincare products from smallest to biggest.Is there something that you envy about the other person?
MG His English skills. I’m so envious!
JS It’s a given since I was born and raised in America (laughs) Mingyu knows it as well. When I first came to Korea, I couldn’t speak Korean at all so I tried my very best [to learn it]. I learned [Korean] by practicing singing and as I familiarized myself with song lyrics, I learned by talking to the guys a lot… Mingyu really can't still [when it comes to others' struggles] so he took care of me a lot. Thanks to him, I adjusted [to speaking Korean] quickly. What I’m envious of Mingyu for is his personality. He’s really kind. He’s not foolishly kind, but rather he’s good-natured.Then what are you the most proud of about yourself?
JS The way I persevere through difficulty.
MG I’m good at withstanding things. No matter what, I’ll endure [it] well.Whenever you want to give up, what is something that’s supported you to make Mingyu be able to withstand it?
MG When I was a trainee, I thought of the past rather than the future. I found the time that I’ve worked hard in the past very wasteful. If you quit after a month passes by, it would be a waste of [the time you put in during] that one month, and if you quit after a year, then that one year becomes a waste. Before I knew it, 4 years had already passed by.Where does Joshua’s perseverance in going through that difficulty come out?
JS I hate losing to myself. Whenever I don’t feel satisfied with myself or when I think, “if I [push myself] a bit more, won’t I be able to do it?” I push myself until the end. Whether it be singing, dancing, or acting [we need for performances] on stage, I want to have that responsibility when it comes to work.What kind of people were the two of you when you were young?
JS I was a kid who liked people. I like talking with my friends. When I’m eating something delicious then I share it [with my friends] and eat, and if I hear a funny story, I’d definitely share it with everyone.
MG Oh, he’s very similar to me. [I’m a person] who definitely prefers to do things together [with others] rather than doing it alone! If the situation isn't one where I can do it with someone else, then even if it takes me making an effort to make that situation possible, I'd still want to do it together [with someone else]. If that person becomes happy because of me, then I also feel good as well.
JS You can’t see anyone being left out.
MG I really can’t. If 10 people are playing together and there are 2 people over there [being left out], I want to relieve that awkwardness no matter what and try to lead them.
JS I get what you mean.It seems like the two of you are the driving force for [SEVENTEEN] being able to promote for a long time as a multi-member group?
JS All the members are playing a huge role [in the group]!
MG But if it’s only just people who are nosy like us, then [the group will] get into huge trouble (laughs).You will soon reach your 8th debut anniversary. As a representative 3rd generation idol who has steadily taken step after step to further their career without even one person being left behind, how does it feel?
MG [Time has] really passed by in a flash.
JS Whenever we hear how long we’ve had experience/how long we’ve been active, we still get very surprised.
MG [Time has passed by] very quickly, but looking back at it we’ve done so many things and have many memories. It’s the pride of our members– that [our bond] has now become a relationship that can’t end (laughs). As long as we don’t remain in the past, I think it’s also important to cherish what has gone by.Is there a secret [to SEVENTEEN] having this kind of strong [bond]?
JS When you work hard together, you naturally get close with one another. We had such a hard time when we were trainees. We endured it together, and as we went through the process of debuting and growing together, our relationship [as a group] became something that has gotten very precious. And we’re all aware as well. It’s not because of any one of us that [we are] able to do well, but because we’re SEVENTEEN– it’s all thanks to the members that we’re able to do well like this. I want to protect that.
MG This is something that I’m being very honest about, but I thought that I would have a lot of friends and acquaintances at some point after debuting and being active as a singer? Of course I gained [friends/acquaintances], I did but… no matter what friends I make, there’s no one else who knows me as well as my members do, and there’s no other place as comfortable as when I’m together with them. Now, they know me better than my family does. Is there anyone who would refuse a bond like this? I’m just so grateful for it.When do you think is the moment of your greatest career-high?
JS It’d be this album. Please look forward to it a lot. I feel like [this album] is going to be really successful.
MG Whenever we release an album, there are members who always go, “oh, something is a little different this time?” (laughs) But anyway, since we’ve been doing that and steadily reached this far up, those words aren’t completely wrong, are they? I believe that this will be our career high.What part of your 10th mini album FML are you most proud of?
MG We want to thoroughly convey the stories of the various meanings contained within our unconventional title. And you can especially look forward to our song 'Super'. It is a song that we made that centers around a character who grows from overcoming adversity and doesn't fall [when faced by hardship].It sounds as if it’s a resolution to demonstrate that [SEVENTEEN] is a team that is still as cool and [burning passionately as] hot as you were before.
JS That’s exactly it!
MG That’s 100% right. We want to show the people who say “SEVENTEEN, they’ve been around for a long time, right,” that we are still very active (laughs).
JS We don’t even want to slow down or lose focus even for a single moment.What kind of thoughts do you have when you step onto the stage?
MG ‘I’m cool.’ ‘We are really cool’. Hang on, it’s starting to sound weird right (laughs). The gestures I naturally do then, the expressions, the acting [we do for] performances– if you tell me to do those now, I to~tally wouldn’t be able to do it (laughs). I think all of the members are thinking those sorts of thoughts on the stage. And that’s why we are able to appear to be so impressive.Are there some things you didn’t know when you were a rookie and know now?
MG Back then, I was very hasty. When I just debuted, one month of time was so precious to me, I felt that something terrible would happen if one year passed. [Back then, I felt that] even if I worked hard each day just to do what was right in front of me, time already would pass by very quickly. I lived in a state of unease from thoughts like, ‘What will next week hold? What will happen next month? My dream is over there, but I’m still over here.’ But now, I know how to handle [my work] with room for ease.
JS I shake off those apprehensions through practice. The things you feel anxious about are actually because you didn’t practice enough.
MG That’s how it is ultimately. You feel uncertain because of what you are feeling uneasy about right now (laughs).Do you still practice a lot like before?
MG Even nowadays, SEVENTEEN still practices a lot. If our practice starts at 9AM, there will be many of us who arrive by 8AM to monitor, and even when our practices end, there will be many of us who stay behind to practice. If you just go to the practice room and put on a song, before you even realize, the members will have gathered in groups to practice by themselves in front of the mirrors. The song this time has a really great performance, but is also a very difficult song, so we are all working extremely hard.If you were to say something to yourself when you had just debuted, what would you say?
MG Live like you are currently… That way, you can become me.
JS You’ll make it if you continue as you are. As it was because of the me of those times that I could become the me of today. And also, get yourself out of your thoughts!
MG I think the me of the past would look at the me of today and think that I’m a sunbae they would want to become though? (Laughs)What sort of person do you think is impressive?
JS A person who has ease in what they do. Someone who is easygoing– whether that be on stage, or in everyday life. Somebody who is able to be very considerate to others, but speaks their mind.
MG A person with humility. Even if you are somebody truly spectacular, if you put yourself down a lot, [others] may feel that [your ‘fake’ modesty] is even more exaggerated [than just bragging]. But on the other hand, if you brag to disproportionately great amounts compared to what you have achieved, you appear quite arrogant. So I think somebody who finds a midpoint between those two, whose actions match the level they are at (t/n: acting with self-awareness of their capabilities), is someone who is cool.By each of your own standards, do you think of the two of yourselves as impressive people?
MG We are people working hard to become impressive. If we put in a great effort into it, we’ll become impressive one day right? (Laughs)
JS We’re working hard towards it. I think we’re 50% there right now. But for now, I think the two of us are people who are able to celebrate the successes of others. We don’t feel jealousy [towards that], and we actually feel motivated to work harder [on ourselves].What do the two of you believe in?
MG I believe in my choices. That way, when something goes wrong, there is nothing to blame others for and I can take responsibility for myself. If I make a mistake, I can reflect on that mistake; if I am right then I will get praised for being right, and improve that way. If I [make decisions] being influenced by others, I think I could become a weak person.
JS I believe in karma. That my actions, whether they are positive or negative ones, will always be returned to me. I hope everybody is able to act with those thoughts.It rained today, and soon it will be the time when flowers bloom. Do you have a season and a time of the day that you like?
MG I think I like the time around 6AM during fall, where the dampness of dawn has the smell of fallen leaves mixed in. The smell I remember from when I would go to school. If you wake up and take a walk at that time of day, even if you do something [else] for quite awhile you’ll still find that it’s 1PM [by the time you’re finished]. In those moments, I feel like [I used my time to the] fullest.
JS I like winter. I enjoy the biting feeling your nose gets when it’s cold. And I really like the holiday vibe–lights on a Christmas tree, carols, the joyful atmosphere of everybody laughing together. Maybe because I was born in winter, I like that time of year more.What plans do you have for Mingyu’s birthday on April 6th?
MG I didn’t have any big expectations for my birthday this year, but I got a cake earlier and birthday wishes, so I’m already quite excited and now I’m looking forward to it? (laughs) We have to leave for work at 9AM tomorrow to film a group variety content. I’ve always had work on my birthday, since our debut even until now. I like getting birthday wishes as I work with my members and our staff more than I do resting [on my birthday].
JS [Our plans are] the members will sing a happy birthday song for him altogether! (laughs)

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cosmopolitan (2023)

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men noblesse (2023)

Despite the long shoot, you are still full of energy until the end.
I find magazine shoots fun and I think it gives me strength. (laughs)Are you usually the type to have lots of interest when it comes to fashion or styling?
Of course. During the pandemic, when I didn’t really have the occasion to leave the house except when I had schedules, I wore sportswear virtually every day. The same goes for today as well (laughs). I started to open my eyes to shopping again while we were doing our world tour recently (laughs).Is there something you pay particular attention to when you get dressed?
These days, I enjoy unexpected color combinations. Even though they were colors that I thought definitely wouldn't suit me, and though it may seem strange for others at first glance, I think it's fun when [the outfits] look unexpectedly good.During the shoot, the alarm you set for [you] to eat chicken breast went off. You said that you ate protein before you came to the set as well. Are you the type to be strict when it comes to self-management?
Strangely, there are times when my interest in other things fades, but it’s different when it comes to exercising. There was a certain period when I was really into cameras for a while because I liked taking photos, but there was also a time when I didn’t hold a camera at all. However, I have never slacked on exercising even once. That is very interesting to me as well.It’s amazing how you [exercise] consistently within your busy schedule.
“Invest even just an hour a day.” I think I heard this advice once [about] how to achieve my dream. It’s true. No matter how busy it gets, I try to exercise at least once a day. Sometimes, I feel like my [exercising] time is more precious because I am finding time to do it on my busy day.Are you usually the type to be active rather than lethargic?
I like people. Rather than being alone, I prefer being with someone else. I also want to eat something delicious with somebody.What’s something that you’re really interested in recently?
I want to have various experiences in the arts– visiting art exhibitions, watching fashion shows, and watching movies in my spare time. I don’t know why I like [those activities], but it makes my heart pound. Wouldn’t that be inspiration, or energy?Since your debut in 2015, you’ve consistently been active without any huge breaks. All 13 members are even participating in working on the album, and it’s surprising how you have been doing your activities without any disruptions. What do you think is the driving force behind SEVENTEEN’s steadiness and consistency?
Of course, it’s CARATs. To describe CARATs further, I want to express that they are the people who wait and look forward to SEVENTEEN. More than anything, I lived thinking it was worthwhile [to be in SEVENTEEN]. Other people would say it’s “amazing”, but we are just doing something we think is worthwhile for 9 years.Hearing it, it does seem to be like that. It seems like it must’ve been a prejudice against idols.
Honestly, it’s true that the job of being an artist has a lot of emotional fluctuations. But I truly enjoyed the past 9 years. I also think that it was possible to get to where we are because we have 13 members.SEVENTEEN is famous as “self-producing artists”. In comparison to when SEVENTEEN just debuted, are there any changes in the process of making an album?
Each member has a definite opinion, and each unit has many ideas, so the production process has gotten more complicated and difficult. I/We want to be bolder and have a desire to challenge myself/ourselves. Also, if in the past we were immersed in our albums, now we are noticing things about the entirety [of our music] such as outfits, the music video, album cover, and storylines.Isn’t it that as you have experience [in the industry] under your belt, your standards [for yourselves] increase as well?
I actually don’t really know. I think there is no correct answer to the work that we are doing. We are just doing it instinctively.You debuted in your 10s, and now you are in your mid-20s. This is a time when one’s preferences and values are solidified. What type of person do you want to become?
I want to become someone with a great capacity for understanding others, and someone who respects other people. I want to become someone who thinks like, ‘that could happen, it’s reasonable that this would happen.’ I also want to become someone who people are able to receive joyful energy from as they meet and leave me. Even if they are just someone who passes by me momentarily. But I still don’t really know how [to become that person].When you look back on your life, are there any moments that you didn’t understand back then, but now can comprehend?
In my 10s, I heard a lot of things from the people around me. Things such as, ‘you have to study, you have to be disciplined, do this, do that.’ I understand all of those now. Back then, the words I most wanted to hear were, “play to your heart’s content!” But when I look back at it now, I do have some regrets.But isn’t it true that you lived more fiercely/intensely than anybody else?
I actually think I could have worked even harder. Besides practicing singing and dancing, I could have learned another language or had more varied experiences, but I think I used tiredness as an excuse to avoid doing that.I assume that amongst the [SEVENTEEN] units, the one where you are able to do the most autobiographical storytelling is HHU. Out of the many tracks you have written raps for, which lyric would you say best reflects you as a person?
There’s nothing that comes to mind immediately…. Ah, I do have a favorite lyric. It’s a lyric from HHU’s mixtape, Un Haeng Il Chi. There’s a part that goes ‘From 30 to 100, 300, 800, and next up 3000, 7000, 13000 become attainable’. The numbers represent the audience capacity of our concerts. Our very first concert we held had an audience of 30. [Then] 100 people, [then] 300 people, and in the blink of an eye there were 13,000 people [in our audience]. I think it’s because it hasn’t been a long time since we wrapped up our [BE THE SUN] world tour that those lyrics are [especially] touching to me. We sang this song for the first time on the day we held a concert in front of 13,000 people.Out of the many activities that an artist does, wouldn’t the ‘flower’ be holding concerts? As you hold concerts for multiple months and across a dozen or so countries, there must be many unexpected moments. Were there any memorable moments amongst those?
Last year’s ‘BE THE SUN’ tour was our [first] tour in a long time after the pandemic, so we really had fun. We saw a lot of nice things and ate a lot of delicious foods. ‘BE THE SUN’ was a tour that was as fun as the title is unforgettable.Even now the last song [SEVENTEEN performs at concerts] is still ‘AJU NICE’.
(Laughs). Whenever we are making the setlist we always joke, ‘is it time to stop doing ‘AJU NICE’ yet?’ But on the other hand, we don’t have another [song] as high-spirited as AJU NICE’. We talk about it often, how we should make another song to replace it for [our concerts’] encore.It seems like your affection towards CARATs grows deeper as the time you spend with them grows longer.
They still remain as my driving force to keep promoting. If what I felt for them before was purely gratitude, now it’s become quite peculiar. [My feelings towards CARATs] is an emotion that I have never experienced before in my life. I think my relationship [with CARATs] has become one of giving love without expecting anything in return.

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men noblesse (2023)

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mindset (2023)

Episode 1: Untiring PassionIn this episode, I will talk about my dreams and passions. Would you like to know what my dreams are and what I am passionate about? After listening to this episode, I hope you will cultivate your own dreams and passions.To be honest, at first, I didn’t have a concrete dream of becoming a singer. When I was a trainee, I was very young, so I was just excited to experience new things. I thought it was just a learning period. I just endured everything without knowing what I was doing this for. The first time I dreamed of becoming a singer was when I had been a trainee for about 3 years.At that time, even though we were just trainees, there were fans who supported us. So we invited 30 fans and held a small concert. I heard fans cheering and saw support banners for the first time. As a result, I thought that being a singer could be fun. Ever since then, I started to say that my only dream was to become a singer.Of course, at times, I wanted to give up. But what made me persevere through those uncertain times was my pride. I thought, ‘I am not the only one who is having a hard time. Others are also having a hard time.’ That thought made me think I would be ashamed of myself if I gave up. I also didn’t want the time in which I endured to go to waste. I didn’t want to make the time in which I put in effort disappear. Despite that, there was still a moment when I wanted to give up when I felt like I wasn’t getting better at dancing or singing. I was very upset then. I think I just challenged myself because I simply thought I would get better if I worked hard consistently.Of course, I still go through hardships now, But, in the end, I think what makes me keep going without getting worn out is my pride. I want to be a better singer and do better. At the center of that is the influence I get from my members. They are also going through a hard time alongside me, and I believe we can overcome anything together. And, of course, I wouldn;t have been able to persevere without Carats. I feel the most joy when I hear fans cheer for me and through love.Sometimes, pride can lead you to mess things up or cause a problem. But I think what’s important is knowing when you should boost your ego and when you should swallow your pride. Sharp knives can be surgical equipment that can save people, but at the same time, they can hurt people. I think the same goes for emotions. Even the same emotion can be expressed in different ways depending on how you control it.My pride is the driving force that allows me to go on with my career. It’s true that I have a successful career as a singer, and I am very proud of that. People around me ask me how to be successful, and I tell them that consistency is the key to success. If someone asks me what effort I have to put in to be where I am now, to be honest, it’s difficult to say exactly how much effort I put in. Each person has different standards for effort, and it’s difficult to quantify it. Instead, I would like to say that I did everything I could with what was given to me and consistently persevered. When you do something steadily, there comes a moment when you realize that you are growing. For instance, sometimes, I don’t like my voice when recording a song or I feel like it is difficult to sing some specific parts. But as I do promotions, there comes a moment when I can easily sing the parts that I had difficulty with. At times like that, I think, ‘I can do it.’ As I consistently and repeatedly do something, I think I’ve grown without noticing. I’m sure that I can do anything as long as I put enough time and effort into something.When I first debuted, there were moments in which I had to hide my true feelings and emotions. But now, I can be more sincere and honest than before when communicating with fans. That’s why I am able to communicate with fans through Mindset. I think it's important to know when you grow and to be able to feel that you’re growing.Thankfully, as a singer, everytime I promote, I am able to see where I am through the reactions we get from the general public. If I want to know what I looked like when I debuted or what I did last month, all I need to do is look it up on the internet. Sometimes, I watch videos of myself from one year ago and think, “What was I thinking while dancing?’ or, ‘Why did I make that expression?’ I think I do that because I've changed a lot and I've grown since then. Comparing the past to the present, what’s changed is that I'm not afraid anymore. Before, I doubted myself and asked myself, “Can I really do that?” But at some point, I started to think, ‘I can do it.’ If I could say something to MINGYU of the past, I would say, “Instead of wasting your time doubting yourself and worrying, do something.”What I realized through my career as an idol, as a singer, sometimes, the result is more important than the process because not many people can see the process that singers go through before getting on stage. Of course, enough practice is needed for an awesome performance. However, you can’t create a perfect performance only with practice. This is because one’s condition, luck, and other things are factored in as well. Let’s say, I got on stage without practicing. But if people loved my performance, then I made a great performance without a process. On the other hand, let’s say I tripped on stage even though I practiced a lot. Then, people will remember that performance as the one in which I tripped. Don’t get me wrong, I don't mean to say that practicing isn't important. Do your best at practice, but when you perform on stage, you need to be more careful. Otherwise, the long hours you put into practicing will amount to nothing. So, as a singer, if someone asks me which one is more important, I would say that the result is more important. However, in my personal life, I think the process is more important because I feel joy in the process of reaching goals that are difficult to achieve. I think the process is, in and of itself, charming.Everything I went through to become a singer since I was 15 is meaningful enough to me. I gained a lot and learned a lot. Even when I feel like my body is about to break, I consider it as part of a process– the process to make my dreams a reality. If I think in that way, I can get the passion and the power to overcome hardships. I say to myself, ‘Yes, you can do it.’ ‘Even though you’re tired, you have to open your eyes and finish this right now.’ If I say that to myself, I can overcome fatigue.I think it’s important to be positive and believe in yourself. We have to keep growing. Find an emotion that can be your driving force and accept it enthusiastically. At times, you might not be sure you’re doing well or going the right way, but I want to tell you not to worry too much. One day, the effort you’ve put in will be revealed. Our passion and the effort we put in will be paid off. It might take time and the result might not be what you expected. But over time, those results will build up and be very meaningful to you to enrich your life. Please believe in yourself as much as I believe you. This is my Mindset.

Episode 2: Misunderstanding and AnxietyIn this episode, I will talk about the misconceptions that people have of me and about my worries. I will also let you know how I deal with those things. I hope my story will help you.Sometimes I feel uncomfortable when I receive excessive attention from people. As a singer, I’m so grateful for and cherish the love that I receive from my fans. However, if someone judges me just based on my appearance, it doesn’t feel good. Of course, because of my job, I receive a lot of attention and accept the fact that people can have misconceptions about me and misunderstand me. However, at times, it makes me exhausted.The way I cope is to not care about those things. That might mean simply just not seeing or listening to those things. But what I really mean is to not to be ashamed of myself or change the way I think and live because of other people’s assumptions about me. Don’t just ignore or pass over it. I think you have to face it head on and accept it. I may feel at peace the moment I ignore it, but it will come up again one day and will have an effect on me. I try not to care about what other people say. But when I have a hard time doing that, I talk to people who know me well, like my family or my members. Listening to what they have to say helps.Of course, people don’t just have negative misconceptions about me but also have positive misconceptions about me. For example, people say that I am the visual of the group, I am handsome, I am amazing, etc… When I hear these things, it makes me happy. However, I don’t think those things are true. My appearance is just one of the things that help me to express myself. I am happier when people say that I have a good voice, that I dance well, or that I rap well rather than when people say that I am handsome. Those things motivate me to become a better singer. They also make me have the desire to be better.As a member of SEVENTEEN, I hope that we’ll continue to go as high as we can. Back then, I wanted to keep the title which is ‘versatile, self-produced, or handsome MINGYU.’ But at some point, I became eager to keep breaking the records we set, rather than just focusing on those titles. Recently, we ranked 7th on the Billboard 200 chart. Someone might say, ‘You’ve done well enough. That’s enough.’ But I thought that we could do better. I want to go higher, and I think we can do so. Therefore, I find myself constantly checking the general public’s reaction when we release an album. Because that allows me to see how much love we’ve gotten. Back then, I was worried and sometimes thought, ‘What if we don’t get first place?’ ‘What will people think of us if we don’t win?’ Because SEVENTEEN continues to be successful, we don’t go slowly or stop even though we can rest momentarily, but because we don’t want to do those things, we continue to move forward.Thankfully, SEVENTEEN has never fallen down. We’ve constantly received love ever since we debuted. So, one day, our CEO told us to remember that we can fall at least once. He said, “Because you’ve only continued to go up higher, it’ll hurt more when you fall.” I understand what he said, but, at the same time, it scares me. As he said, if there’s a moment in which we can get hurt, it will hurt. But, I think I will be able to overcome it and get back up if I have Carats who love me and my members by my side. So, I’ll try to get plenty of rest and take time to look back on myself so that I can keep going without getting worn out. There’s a saying that goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ As long as I am with my members, nothing scares me.I do have my own anxieties though. I get anxious in my day-to-day life when I’m faced with a situation that I can’t control. For instance, much like a car accident, things that I can’t control can happen. It could be something that you can shake off, but to me, it’s different. Maybe I’m anxious because I love what I have achieved with SEVENTEEN and what I have right now. As a result, I try to be extra careful. I don’t want to lose what I have right now.Because I’ve been an idol for a long time, there are things that are naturally ingrained in me. As MINGYU of SEVENTEEN, there are things I shouldn’t say and shouldn’t do. I try to act responsibly because I could potentially hurt those who love me. I don’t think there is some amazing way to overcome anxiety. I just don’t think too much about something that has already happened. I try to think simply about it and try to focus on the present.Of course, it’s natural to become upset when something bad happens. Throughout my life, I’ll have to constantly deal with problems that I’ll have to overcome people’s misconceptions and misunderstanding about me, as well as the anxieties that reside in me. But if you think about it, nothing changes or gets solved if you react negatively to a difficult situation. If you can’t change the situation, you have to change your mindset so that you can accept the situation. Complaining won’t make the weather clear up. Instead of complaining, you can bring an umbrella with you when it rains or bring mittens with you when it snows. Just like that, you have to find what might help you. After time passes and the sky clears up, I hope you have a mindset that allows you to be grateful for the good weather. This is my Mindset.

Episode 3: Joy of ConcentrationIn this episode, I will tell you about the joy that focusing on something brings. If you’re curious about how I calm down by focusing on something other than work, please stay tuned until the end of the episode.My hobby is taking photos. I use a digital camera, and various film cameras. Usually, I take pictures to remember someplace new. People say that they take pictures to capture their memories. So, when I go on a world tour, one of the items I make sure to take with me is a camera. I want to remember the places I haven’t seen before as well as the places I haven’t been to for a long time. As time passes, I like that I feel that I can recall the feelings I felt and the memories of when I took the photos when I look at them.The first time I became interested in cameras was when I happened to see a film camera. At first, I bought it simply because the design was pretty and the feeling was good. However, when I took pictures with it, they came out really really well, and I liked that I was capturing memories. After that, I started bringing it with me all the time.What’s good about taking pictures is that I can pay attention to little things that I would have passed by without taking note of usually. When I am finding something to take a picture of, I naturally look around at my surroundings. Even when I go somewhere new, I don’t just look at the ground while walking. I look at the sky and see what the weather is like that day. I also observe the signs, stores, and people there. I also am glad that I can share photos that I took, while doing that with fans. I’m happy that I can share the things that I saw, felt, and experienced through photos with people who are curious about me.Something I want to do through photography is volunteer work. I really like giving love to people and taking care of others. While donating is also great, I want to give people happiness and hope through something that I’ve directly participated in.I would love to open a photography exhibit in the future. I want to donate the profit I earn through the exhibit. I think this would be a virtuous cycle.For example, I could volunteer at a dog shelter and hold an exhibition with the photos of the dogs I took there. I believe that I’m in a position where I can have a positive influence on people. And I think it would be good to use that influence for a meaningful cause. I would like to create precious values by doing volunteer work myself.Another one of my hobbies is drawing. I’ve had an interest in drawing since I was young. I’ve had an interest in drawing since I was young. A few years ago, I told a friend that I have an interest in drawing. And he sad, “Try it.” So, I just started to draw the very next day.I have quite an impatient personality, but drawing makes me calm. This is because I can’t draw more when I have to wait for the paint to dry. I think I’m able to organize my thoughts and realx a little then. It also makes me focus.If someone looks at my drawings and asks me what the meaning of them are, I can’t answer right away. I also don’t want to think about the meanings complicatedly. I like to express my emotions straightforwardly.Besides for drawing, there are a lot of things I want to do. I want to try video editing, but I think I’m in the preparatory stage because I think you need to go somewhere new to get inspiration.I also want to try new sports like tennis and badminton. The simplistic sweat that I shed while working out makes me really happy. For that reason, I want to spend more time exercising.There are many positive effects that working out has had on me. There’s a saying that “A sound mind dwells in a sound body.” I work out when I am having a hard time mentally to resolve it. So I try to habitually and intentionally exercise every day. I bike, golf, and play soccer. And in particular, I go to the gym every day.The simple act of sweating while working out makes me feel like my frustrations are getting relieved. Because I’m someone who overthinks, using a simple and fast way to solve my problems works well for me. That’s why when I figure out what my schedule for the next day is going to look like on the day before, I try to find at least 1-2 hours of free time to go to the gym. I have been going to the gym regularly for the last five years. I think I go to the gym at least 6 times a week. Currently, I think I can say that working out is an absolute happiness.I like doing weight training because I’m able to feel a sense of accomplishment right away. The straightforwardness and immediacy of the results I get are proportionate to the amount of time and effort I’ve put in. When I look in the mirror and see that I’ve gained more muscle and lost body fat, I feel joy knowing that my efforts were not in vain.The more promotions we do, and the busier we get, I realized that it is important to find a simple way to solve problems. Sometimes, I feel like putting aside what I have to do and doing something else is a waste of time.It really feels especially like that nowadays, because we live in a busy world where there are so many things we have to be concerned about. However, I hope you don’t forget to rest by doing something simple that you can immerse yourself in. Even if it’s not something you would call a hobby, I hope that you’ll be able to find something to immerse yourself in. You can sit quietly and practice writing, or do origami.When you have a hard time focusing on something because you have a lot on your mind, find an activity that is simple and that you can focus on, even for just a short time. While doing so, you can organize your thoughts and it will help you when you start what you need to do once again.This is my Mindset.

Episode 4: Meaning of SEVENTEENIn this episode, I will tell you what SEVENTEEN means to me, and what kind of artist I want to be in the future.If I were to assess myself, though it’s a bit embarrassing to say this about myself, I think I am someone who people won’t be ashamed of. The reason I think that is because I want to be with my members for a long time. I don’t want to cause any harm to my members and also try to act on that. I am satisfied with my team, and I feel safe when I’m with my members. So I want to be a person who can add to the team positively. Even when I have a chance to do solo activities, I want to be someone who won’t make my team look bad. That being said, SEVENTEEN is very precious to me.One of the things SEVENTEEN achieved is breaking the prejudices that people had about multi-member groups. For example, that all 13 members can be close. We have a good relationship, and we’ve proven that we can work together for 10 or 20 more years. Early in my debut, I thought we would definitely get along and know each other well just because we were a team. But as time passed, I realized that teams can break apart because of small things or trivial conflicts. However, I’m proud of the fact that we’re all working together with one goal in mind. As a result, the people around me were amazed that all 13 members get along very well.If I think about the reason why we get along...? I think it would be cliche to say that we know each other very well because we’ve been together since we were young. I think it’s because we’re lucky. Or sometimes, I think it’s because we’re destined or fated, or that it’s because we are considerate of each other. When we have a conflict, we solve it by talking things through, and that makes our bond stronger. But I am not sure if that’s the real reason. I’m not sure. That’s the conclusion that I’ve come to. When you love someone, sometimes, you don’t know why you love that person. Sometimes, you just love them without any specific reason. I think that’s what it is.I think SEVENTEEN’s identity is one that is passionate and energetic. It’s been a long time since our debut, but our passion and energy haven’t changed. I think it’s still overflowing. I think that’s SEVENTEEN’s identity, don’t you think?What I learned about myself while promoting as a member of SEVENTEEN is that I’ve grown a lot. I can’t stand watching my old performances. Someone might say that that’s the charm of a rookie, but I think, ‘Why am I like that?’ or ‘I look so bad.’ It doesn’t seem like me. I saw that I made 3-4 weird facial expressions for five seconds. When I saw that, I thought, ‘What's wrong with him?’ So I feel like I should be really thankful to CARATs who have loved me. Also, I’m very grateful to our CEO who allowed me to debut. One thing that’s difficult while promoting with SEVENTEEN is that it’s hard to show all the members’ charms and the individuality of each member. Of course, CARATs know of each member’s individual charms, but it would be difficult to get to know us if you don’t know us very well, so that's something we need to continue to work on. The best way to know about SEVENTEEN and its members is by watching GOING SEVENTEEN. That’s when we’re the most comfortable and most like ourselves. For instance, DK is really funny and is himself in GOING SEVENTEEN. But when he goes on other variety shows, he’s really shy and often times can’t be himself. That’s why we try to put all of our charms into our songs and do our best when doing solo activities. I think by doing that, we have to do our best to let many people know of SEVENTEEN’s charms and our individual charms.To CARATs, thank you for giving us so much love. I know we’re still lacking, but we will do our best to be great singers. So please stay with us for a long time. We can do anything if it’s to make you happy, so please support us. We’re also rooting for you sincerely… I love you.To my members, I think I’ve spent almost half of my life with you. Thank you for being with me, supporting me, laughing with me, and crying with me when I’m having a hard time. I am very grateful for you guys. I really hope we’ll be able to be like family and be together for a long time. Stay healthy.I think the MINGYU of today is a culmination of how MINGYU of the past lived. Let’s say, teenage MINGYU is my past, I would call that period of my life ‘moderation.’ I endured that time by not doing what I wanted to do and giving up things. If teenage MINGYU didn’t endure that time, if he didn’t focus on becoming a singer with his members, then the current MINGYU in his 20s wouldn’t exist. I think that the MINGYU in his 20s is expressing the things that the past MINGYU improved upon and perfected.I think I’ve grown both in terms of my skills and mentally to the point that I am able to show performances that I want to show. For instance, choreography that took me a month to learn as a trainee takes me only 3 days to learn now. However, I don’t want to be satisfied because I’ve grown. Because I can express myself more, I want to do better. Because I like what I have right now, sometimes I want to live the rest of my life like this. But I want to perform at bigger venues, hear from people that I’m good at dancing, hear that I have a good voice, and hear that I’m a good performer. But because there’s no end to one’s wants, I try to maintain a balance. If I think about 30-year-old MINGYU, I think he will be more relaxed. After a period of moderation and a period of expression, I will be more mature and be a better artist. Because I will be more relaxed, I want to be an artist that can show you diverse sides of myself. What I want to express through music is happiness. I want people to listen to my music and become an artist that pops into people’s minds when they’re happy.Recently, I have had many big dreams. This is because there are so many things I want to try. I think wanting to experience something gives me motivation and passion. But it’s not that I can do everything I want to do just because I have money and time. Therefore, I have a big dream: freedom. Career-wise, there are many things that I want to try out. I want to try acting and modeling. However, I am always very careful when saying these types of things. Because what I just want to try can be somebody’s life goal or dream. When I step into a new field, I am using the experiences that I’ve culminated as an idol so those who are preparing to become an actor or a model may think that I think that these professions are easy. So, if I get a chance, I want to start from the bottom and properly prepare. That way, I won’t feel ashamed in front of those individuals and of myself. In that way, I could say that it’s a dream and a challenge I’m taking. I’m too busy to have enough time right now to pursue something in a new field, but when I’m able to spend all my time and energy on something, I’m going to try pursuing things in various fields.Hi, 36-year-old MINGYU. Are you happy right now? I’m sure that there are lots of things you’ve achieved and that you’ve received a lot of love. If you’re happy right now, I hope you are someone who can share that happiness with the people around you. Be happy.Thank you for listening to my Mindset. If my story could help you even a little bit, I would be very happy. Please support SEVENTEEN, and please also support me. We’re rooting for you from the deep bottom of our hearts. We love you.Through this Mindset, I think I learned more about myself. Moving forward, I think that I should take time to look back on myself. As always, I will do my best to be happy. Please be healthy and happy.This is my Mindset.

Booster 1: Morning WorkoutHi, MINGYU of SEVENTEEN here. In this Booster, I will tell you how to feel energetic throughout the whole day. It’s exercise! If you’ve thought that you need to work out recently, you’ve come to the right place. Confidently face the day with me!If you see a person who works out in the morning, you might think, “Wow, how do they do that?” “That’s amazing” “They are so diligent.” or, “I bet they have a lot of time on their hands.” Is that actually true though? I don’t think that you guys are not good enough. Think of the reasons why you don’t exercise. Don’t keep making excuses to push off or give up on exercising.Have you gone to bed too late because you spent too much time on your phone at night, have you just stayed home because of bad weather or because it was difficult to move? Or you may have various reasons such as not going to work out because you had too much work or because you didn't want to bother working out.. The thing is, you can always make excuses.What’s important is to not think and to just exercise. At least when you go to work out, you should act and noth think. If you’re hesitant, don’t give your brain any room to think, and move immediately after counting to 5! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! First, get out of your bed. Change into your workout clothes! That’s all!I have a specific, set routine. I divide my workout into four parts. I do exercises for my chest, back, shoulder, and legs. I also mix in some exercises for my arms and abs in between. Therefore, if I miss even one day, it doesn't feel good and it feels like my plans have been messed up. I think you should create your own workout routine too.Some workouts that you can easily do in the morning are light cardio and light lower body exercise. When you do a lower body workout, your blood circulation improves and your swelling goes down faster. So I think it will help you if you workout in the morning. The important thing is to exercise regularly.One advantage of exercising in the morning is that you have a routine. By waking up your body and mind, you can be more energized in the morning. As a result, you can be more focused when you study or work. Additionally, working out on an empty stomach helps with weight loss. I think there are plenty of reasons to exercise in the morning.What you need to think about is not why you shouldn't work out but the difference in your body after you work out. Imagine it. What do you think it’ll be like? You don’t have to have a body that everyone is jealous of. I hope you imagine eyes that are full of life, confident footsteps, confidently stretched-out shoulders, and an upright back.The benefits of exercising are not limited to losing weight and getting a stronger body but also reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as increasing your ability to focus. To sum up, your self-esteem will improve and you’ll gain confidence. After starting to exercise in the morning, you may feel tired for the first few days. But as you work out, your stamina will get better and you will get used to the movements that felt unfamiliar at first.Everyone’s beginning will seem humble. It will take time to notice the changes in your body and mind. But, as you know, ‘Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.’ So if you overcome your laziness and start exercising in the morning, your body and mind will slowly start to change. You will feel a sense of achievement when you see that you’ve changed. You can do it. Trust me and try exercising in the morning. If you ever lose motivation, please come back to my Booster. I’ll cheer you on. Thank you!

Booster 2: Passionate AttitudeHi. I am MINGYU of SEVENTEEN. Today, I am going to talk to you about passion.What image comes to mind when you see the word “passion”? Imagine it. When I think about it, I picture things like a fiery sun or hot flames. To have passion means that you have the will to strongly push forward and the determination to do anything.To be honest, I can fall into something very quickly and deeply, but this tends to not last long. So I thought, “How can I do something consistently?” When I did that, I decided to imagine that I had a small fireplace in my heart. You should also try to imagine a small fireplace too.First, make a fire with a little spark. If you want to make a bigger fire, you need firewood, right? There are many types of firewood, but try to think about what kind of firewood suits you. Some firewood may not catch on fire, and some may catch on fire but create lots of smoke. Some firewood may burn up quickly and disappear. So, you need to choose the right firewood.The things that can make the hot fire in our minds keep burning are things like a promise made with someone you love, a friend’s trust, pride, joy, a competitive spirit and satisfaction. If you don’t know what kind of firewood you should use, think about what you’re interested in. Think about why those things came to mind, and what you feel about those things.In order for the fire to not go out, you need to put in the firewood regularly. However, it’s important to be careful so that the fire doesn’t get too big. If you put in too much firewood and the fire gets too big, it can spread to other places. If that happens, the fire can swallow everything around you. Don’t be scared. If you find the right firewood and take time to put them in the fire slowly, the fire will keep burning and make us warm.Some of you might think that you have no passion. But if you look around carefully, you’ll find a small spark in you. It may be a creative activity, love, or anything. Grow that spark because, one day, it will be the driving force that makes your day to day life meaningful. I hope my story gives you strength.Thank you to everyone who listened to this Booster.

Booster 3: Minimal LifeHi. I am MINGYU of SEVENTEEN. Today, I’m going to talk about the things we need to throw away today.Are you guys good at organizing? I think I am pretty organized. When I organize my room, I sometimes discover a box that I’ve forgotten about. Don’t you have a box that you put a bunch of different things into too? What does it look like? How tall is it?The box I have was originally a shoe box. My box contains a variety of itemsL a pen that I thought I was going to use one day, a receipt that I didn’t throw away, and clothes and accessories that I can’t wear anymore.. The box also contains makeup and perfume I’ve never used. To be honest, those items were not that important to me, and I didn’t think I needed them. And I didn't even know I had them. But when I actually try to throw them away, I feel like it’s such a waste.What’s in your box? Don’t you have things that you need to get rid of? You can’t keep those things in your room forever because they will take up space and collect dust. That’s why you need to throw away everything in the trash without looking back.That same goes for our emotions. Our mind is like a room. In that room, different emotions and values have made themselves at home. In the room, there are good things like gratefulness, happiness, hope, and courage, but conversely, there are also bad things like anxiety, jealousy, envy and hate.Close your eyes and look around the room of your mind. What does your mind look like? What is that room filled with? When you need to throw something away, you need the courage to boldly throw it away. They are things that can be more of a harm to you if you hold on to them. Of course, merely thinking that you need to get rid of negative feelings might be easy. But I know that when you’re in that situation, it’s difficult to do.Even so, you need to make a habit of getting rid of those feelings one by one. Otherwise, the room of your mind will be filled with negative emotions. What emotions do you want to decorate your room with? If you want to fill your room with positive and hopeful emotions, please listen to my Booster. I hope that the time you spent listening to this Booster was meaningful to you. Thank you for spending this time with me.

Booster 4: Night PaintingHi. I am MINGYU of SEVENTEEN. Today, we’re going to draw an imaginary picture together before falling asleep. You don’t need to prepare anything, because everything is already prepared.Now, think of the calmest scenery you can imagine. And then, draw the picture. A vast meadow in the night. A dense, rainy forest. An ocean with calm waves. A desert at night. Whatever you imagine is fine. Fill up the canvas of your imaginations before you fall asleep.

Booster 5: Positive Effect of Taking PicturesHi. I am MINGYU of SEVENTEEN. Today, I am going to tell you about the positive effect that taking pictures has. One thing I’ve realized recently is that people tend to remember negative experiences more than positive experiences. Come to think of it, I do too. I often remember the mistakes I made onstage than how much fun I had on stage. Try to remember what happened yesterday. What’s the first thing that comes to mind?It would be nice if it’s a memory of you laughing and being happy, but do regretful and sad memories come to mind first? If so, make a conscious effort to recall positive memories more. A way to do this that I recommend is taking pictures.My hobby is taking pictures. When I take pictures, I can vividly remember places I went to when I was young, the people I met, the sights that I saw, and more. When I see the pictures, I can also recall my feelings and thoughts from that time.Actually, we’re living in a world where taking pictures is very easy. We can take pictures and record videos with our smartphones. However, I think we tend not to look back at the pictures we take.I want to know how many pictures you have on your phone. Open your photo gallery, and slowly go through the photos you took from before. It might take a while if you have a lot of pictures. What is the first picture in your gallery? Does that picture make you recall happy memories?As you go through your gallery, go through your other pictures as well. There may be pictures of your friends who are having a delicious meal with you, the face of someone you love, your smiling family, and cool places you’ve traveled to that you’ve forgotten about. In my gallery, there are pictures of my members who are having fun while performing, cool buildings that I saw while touring, and beautiful art pieces that I wanted to remember.In the future, take pictures while dwelling on the emotions that you feel. When you are in a bad mood, or need to find peace of mind, think of moments when you were happy in the past and the emotions you felt then. That will help you find peace of mind.I hope my story helped you today. Thank you to everyone who listened to me.

Booster 6: Spreading LoveHi. I am MINGYU of SEVENTEEN. Today, I am going to tell you about how important it is to express gratitude. Shall we start this booster with a famous quote? “Life’s great happiness is to be convinced we are loved” Victor-Marie Hugo, a renowned author known for writing Les Miserables is the originator of this saying.However, if you think comprehensively, I think that caring for and being considerate of the people around you can also be love. Doesn’t it feel nice when the people around you care about you, even if it’s in small ways? It makes you feel like you are someone who is precious and meaningful to them.But recently, I try to give love first, rather than to receive it. I like to take care of the people around me. I think it’s because I’ve grown up in a loving home. As a result, I try to take care of the many people I meet when I work. I hope that the people who work with us think that working with us is a joyful experience, instead of thinking that it’s just work.As a result, I’ve learned that I feel more joy when I share love than when I receive it. When I share love, much like giving a gift to a child who is waiting for Santa, my heart beats and I feel great joy.I hope that you will remember those who silently care about you, watch over you, and love you. With that heart, give love to the people you meet. I hope you don’t think of sharing love as some really grandiose thing. What’s important is your heart that is considerate and cares for others.You can start with a simple greeting. You could ask someone if they’ve eaten or slept well last night. Or you could also give someone a cold glass of water, or a tasty cookie. Wherever you go, I hope people will be happy due to the love you’ve given. That’s what I want from you.I’ll finish this Booster with another famous quote. “Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” Mother Teresa. That’s it for today. Give love to those around you, and have a meaningful day. See you next time!

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nylon japan (2023)

What are your thoughts on using the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer and the styling for this shooting?
When I heard we were going to wear this gloss before we filmed, I thought it was going to be one with color, but I didn’t realize it was a very natural color. It lets me show my charms, so I think I can wear it like a lip balm that I regularly wear. My lips get dry easily, and this product is very moisturizing, so I really enjoy the feeling of application! Because we have been practicing for the dome tour recently, I rarely get to wear such formal clothing. But today I wore a navy blue suit with the thought of this shoot energizing me as I came to work. And I’ve always really liked this type of styling (regarding his brown suit styling).Do you normally do lip care?
Even though I typically don’t do any special care, I’ve always liked [having] moisturized lips. So, in order to not dry [my lips] out and also to wake up with moisturized lips, I usually put on lip balm before I go to sleep.If you were to express your charm in words, what aspect of yourself do you think [is the most charming]?
Being able to thoroughly understand what CARATs want, as well as being able to express that. I think that’s my charm…? It really is quite embarrassing [to say] (laughs). Additionally, I think being able to give my all? Though I don’t know what others may think when they see [me], I think I am always giving it my all in my actions and acting according to how I think, no matter what is happening.It seems no matter the time, you are always thinking of fans.
That’s right. Because I think they are people who are always paying attention to me, so I always think of CARATs in everything I do.Is there anything that makes Mingyu’s heart race recently?
Recently, we have been rehearsing diligently every day for the dome tour, so when I’m practicing and I think of how I will be able to see CARATs, I get nervous and my heart will race. I think that’s the biggest thing for now.Do you have any special technique for relaxing or facing that nervousness when that happens?
I’m not the type that will try to relax. I will let myself be nervous as I go on the stage, but as the music plays and I begin to sing and dance, that nervousness will disappear little by little– that kind of feeling. I’m not very good at releasing my nervousness.Is it because CARATs are in front of you that your nervousness can fade little by little?
That’s right. For me, being able to hear CARATs cheering and [seeing how they] empathize /resonate with my emotions at that moment is very important. And then in the performances and talks that follow, I’m gradually able to forget my nervousness and feel happier [instead].Is there anything you recommend recently, or anything you’ve really been into?
This year I really got hooked on golf. Eating spicy food has also been a recent development for me. For example, yesterday I had spicy spare ribs, and the day before that I had very spicy ramen.Golf and spicy food, what are each of those things’ charms?
I always feel very relaxed when I get to the golf course. And as for spicy food, I’m honestly not sure why it’s so appealing to me. When I think to myself “What should I eat?” I just unknowingly gravitate towards and seek out spicy foods.Many people who enjoy spicy food say that after you eat it, your whole body and soul feel refreshed and that it helps with relieving stress, but that seems not to be the case.
Maybe that’s an instinctual need. My mom and dad have always enjoyed eating spicy food, but me seeking out spicy food as much as I do now is a recent thing. I think CARATs are probably the same as me, getting into something so suddenly. I think that’s how it is when I keep eating spicy foods. That’s why when we do the dome tour in Japan, finding and eating spicy food is one of my small joys and pleasures. (Speaking in Japanese) Spicy tonkatsu ramen!

You are on the cover of NYLON JAPAN this time, how did you feel about the filming?
I felt it was a very meaningful filming for the cover of Nylon Japan, and I think this lip product really suits me, so I really enjoyed the filming.Please tell us how it feels to use the Dior Lip Maximizer!
I realized that the colors that suit each person are different and that our original lip colors are different as well.Speaking of the topic "YOU ARE MY HEARTBEAT", each of you spoke of your own charming points in your individual interviews, but can you talk about each others' charming points here?
JUN I think Mingyu's charming points are… maybe CARATs who have seen our concerts also feel this way. It goes without saying that he's very handsome and tall, but his hip-hop feeling when he raps is also very cool, and he's handsome and sexy (said while looking at a shy Mingyu). But there are also times like right now, where he also has a cute side such as how he is embarrassed by [me] saying this beside him (laughs). All in all, he just has a lot of charming points!
MINGYU This is my personal thought, but rather than saying "It's this [one definite trait] that defines him!" and standing out only in one aspect, Wonwoo's entire presence gives you a very steadfast and gentle feeling, and he emanates a calm/composed aura which leaves a strong impression on people. He's [the type of person] that others will find themselves unknowingly thinking about; I think that's his charm.2022 was a year where you achieved great results— your 4th album Face the Sun surpassed 2 million preorders and ranked #7 on the American Billboard 200 chart; your Japanese release SEVENTEEN JAPAN 1ST EP DREAM ranked #1 on the Oricon weekly album chart. Looking back on it, what kind of a year was it for everybody?
I was very happy to be able to see CARATs after a long time this year.(The interview was done before the Japanese dome tours were held) You were also able to host your long-awaited world tour BE THE SUN, please tell us a personal memorable moment!
I think that eating spicy tonkatsu ramen will definitely become one of my most memorable moments [from the tour] (laughs).When you stand on the same stage during your concerts, are there any moments when you think your teammates are very cool?
When we perform and I see the other 12 members dancing in front and behind me, at those times I think, "Ah, so cool."You were able to directly see CARATs worldwide through your world tour, did this help you all [by encouraging you or becoming a source of strength]?
Touring, no matter if it's [still] in the rehearsal period or [already] in the actual touring period, is always challenging stamina and time-wise. It is precisely because CARATs are there that we can work hard [to pull it off]. If it's for CARATs, it becomes a doable task. We practice with the anticipation of seeing everybody and using that [anticipation] as fuel, and we also looked forward to going to [other] places and being able to experience and see new things in different countries.I think the whole world is anticipating what SEVENTEEN has in store for 2023. Is there anything you want to take on in 2023?
We want to put out even more, even better albums in 2023. And we were finally able to see CARATs after a long time in 2022, [so] we want to hold concerts in larger venues to see more CARATs and create beautiful memories together.Do you have any personal things you want to do or challenge yourself to do?
I want to travel alone. Right now, I think I want to go to Japan or to Europe.

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vivi magazine (2023)

A hobby that you're into these days?
I endlessly watch Instagram reels... It's quite addicting (laughs).What would you order as your first drink at an Izakaya (bar)?
Draft beer! I want to try Japanese sake while I'm in Japan.What would you buy in a Japanese convenience store if you had 1000 yen?
Two corn breads. Chicken and spaghetti also, if it's possible!What's your favorite scent?
I like the baby powder scent, whether it may be shampoo or body wash!What is your stage drink?
There's no particular reason, but I often choose water.If it was your last day on Earth, what would you like to eat?
Either fried chicken or pork belly. Really tough choices!If you were to choose between spicy food, bungee jumping, or a haunted house as punishment/penalty?
Through process of elimination, [I choose] spicy food. I seriously do not like the two other choices!Among interior, outfits, and food, which one do you pay attention to the most?
Food! If you don't eat well, you won't be able to look cooler!

SEVENTEEN's performances are excellent and full of charm, what do you keep in mind when you perform live?
For me, I think it's that all the members are united in working together to maximize our energy. The members are skilled in many areas and each have our strengths, so we can show many interesting moments.What points should we look forward to in your upcoming concerts? (The magazine was written in mid-November)
The joyful, the painful, the cool, the cute... We will show you a stage that you can feel all of these emotions through. I think, contrarily, you're lucky if you haven't come into contact with our music or live performances before. Because what's coming next will be a brand new joy awaiting you (smiles).What do the members do when the team is deciding on something?
THE8 Typically the members who usually say decisive opinions are S.COUPS, WOOZI and then there's Seungkwan and MINGYU as well.
MINGYU That's right, because I'm the type who has a lot to say. I don't just keep saying my opinion, but I will prompt the members to say their viewpoints, and then organize and combine them.At what times do you think, 'it's really so nice to have 13 members'?
No matter what the time, we are always very lively/energetic (smiles). and because we have an odd number of members, there's always a member who will become the center at concerts. We are able to utilize our strength of having a large of number of people and therefore we don't want to lose to other teams, but even so, we can still properly show ourselves individually. I'm very happy about this aspect of our team.

MINGYU TO WONWOO: The ramen that WONWOO makes is the best!
MG Even when I'm busy and tired with work, I receive a lot of positive energy from WONWOO hyung who is calm, as if it's a feeling like, "I'm thankful for your existence."
WW I also feel the same way.
MG We live in one dorm together, and there would be times when WONWOO would cook for the both of us. It's nice because it saves us from the trouble of getting food delivered. The ramen that WONWOO makes is really delicious.
WW It's not up to the level of calling it cooking (laughs).WONWOO TO MINGYU: Thank you for the love that has never made me feel lonely!
WW MINGYU and I get along really well.
MG Because the two of us usually talk a lot in the first place.
WW If practice just ended and I have to go to the toilet, he waits for me until we're ready to go.
MG Embarrassing! That was supposed to be a secret! (laughs)
WW He's a reliable/reassuring existence that puts me at ease just by being with him together. Thank you always.
MG I'd exactly say the same words to you. Thank you always.

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vivi magazine (2023)

dazed (2022)

We’re delighted to be with you for DAZED’s cover shoot for December, which wraps up 2022. What song did you start your day with for today?
I wasn’t able to listen to a single song today. Last night, I listened to Girl by Lee Moonsae. [I heard the song] by chance when I was together with my mom and dad in the car. It was the most recent song that I heard.After two encounters in 2017 and 2019, today’s shoot is your third encounter with the readers of DAZED. Based on your personal view, please tell us how Mingyu has changed.
To tell you personally, I think I’m the same. I want to read my interviews from 2019, 2019, and today again. Either way, even if I have not changed, I think the result of the interview and the photos will be different. I also want to look more matured again. It was the same shooting with DAZED in the past. Though I think that I haven’t changed much, I think that my biggest change appearance-wise is how I’ve been consistently and diligently working out.[You are someone] who diligently enjoys a variety of sports. From basketball to golf, you can see various sides [of Mingyu] on Instagram. It may seem obvious that you frequent the gym, but what is the reason as to why you work out regularly?
Working out/exercising is the happiest hobby for me. Playing, to simply put. Someone can play games, watch movies, or read books. Rather than those, I do activities that make me sweat. From soccer, basketball, badminton, golf, to biking– I like outdoor sports. Exercising is my hobby, and you can say that it’s a form of a pastime.I can often see you wearing a jacket without innerwear or a sleeveless top which reveals your arms, but I’m curious if this is professional styling or a charm that Mingyu wants other people to notice.
It’s one of the images that I want to show. At first, I started working out since I didn’t want to run out of stamina/energy on stage, and I wanted to take care [of myself] as well. Now, I’m working out because I want my body to be better. When I wear accessories like necklaces, I don’t wear T-shirts if it seems like the necklace will only get hidden under the shirt. Ultimately it depends on the situation, you create a sexy image on a stage where you have to show a sexy charm.Among the videos that fans have uploaded, I saw a video where you opened a beer bottle for Jeonghan and slyly winked at him after. You make others comfortable, and I think you always fill a space with a warm aura. What is your driving force in doing so?
I know what that video you’re talking about. Anyhow, I think it was after our debut where I was able to personally see that side of me. At that time, my reasoning was simple as to why I wanted to treat others nicely. Thinking about it, I think that the influence I got from my family was huge. I always heard [from my family] that I should be first to be considerate and show kindness to others. I also tend to be happier when I give rather than receive. In a way, it may seem that I’m nosy/meddlesome. For example, if there is something someone can do just fine, but I want to help, that person may think, “Are you helping me because [you think] I can’t do it well?”, “Are you looking down on me?” Or [that I am] offering help to the other person who didn’t need any help in hopes of something in return, [like] “I did this [for you], but why didn’t you do it for me?” In the end, it’s something that I wanted to do, but it caused a misunderstanding instead.In a solo shoot with DAZED in 2019, 22-year-old Mingyu was curious with what his self would be thinking in the next three years, and [those three years] have already come.
At that time, I think I wanted something exciting. Like a new experience. Now, I think I can be satisfied with the day that serenely passes. I hope you have a comfortable/peaceful day– not too fancy or too lonely.You attended the Cartier Maison Cheongdam opening party, and many said that you wearing the red suit was a perfect match with Cartier. What did you think of the compatibility of Mingyu and Cartier [for today’s shoot], which is [meant to] represent the holidays?
I’ve always liked Cartier. The first birthday present I bought for myself around 2019 was Cartier’s LOVE bracelet, and Hoshi hyung gifted me a rose gold ring with the same pattern [as the bracelet]. But 2 years ago, when I was working on a schedule, I lost both of them. It was such a great pity, but I feel great being able to meet [Cartier] in such a way again.Watches can be likened to many things, [like how] it’s meant to symbolize time. I’m unsure of how the year was [for you], but if you were to liken it to a time of day, what would it be–the morning, evening, midnight, or dawn?
I think it would be like dawn. There are times where I am awake at dawn, and times where I am asleep. To be honest, both [situations] are tiring, you know right? Though I would want to sleep healthily, and wake up healthily, it was a year where I was so busy I was unable to do that. SEVENTEEN has been active for 8 years, and every year we say, “we spent this year well, [but] the upcoming year is even more important.” Every year, we consistently put out an album and do a tour. We are really living diligently.No matter who, it is common for people to find themselves in situations where they will be filmed or photographed every year. Do you think that is a good thing or a bad thing? Are there any moments from this year that you wish you could save solely for yourself?
The first thing that comes to mind the most right now was when I went to the Cartier Maison Cheongdam opening party. When you usually go to events, you circle and come back on a predetermined route, but it was a wholly different experience that day.To me, I have many things in my life that I want to change, like my ID photo, and my phone plan that doesn’t suit my [needs]. But for you, your Instagram profile photo has been the same as before. Do you have any intentions of changing it before this year is over?
Yes, I’m thinking of changing my Instagram profile photo. The one [I have] right now is one I uploaded when I just opened my account, I think it was either taken by Joshua hyung or The8. After that, the account wasn't in use for 3 years, and wouldn’t it have been funny if I only changed the profile photo without uploading any photos? And also, when people search me up on Instagram, they’ll see my profile photo and recognize me, like ‘this photo [represents] SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu’. Now I think that my profile photo has lived up to its purpose well. Recently, there was a photo I uploaded on Instagram (photo where he is wearing glasses, in a black short-sleeved t-shirt, and propping up his weight with one arm on a surface) and the reception to it was exceptionally good. There were many people who only liked that photo [and not any other ones on my profile], but if I set that as my profile photo, wouldn’t people think I did that on purpose because I knew [the [reaction it got]. What’s the best way for me to change it? Please give me some advice. [It should] have good sense, but still feel personable, that kind of feeling, which is why I haven’t been able to change it. It’s not easy.I saw you’d uploaded an Instagram post captioned ‘pork and rice soup + Daesun (alcohol brand) + rain = (white heart). It goes without saying that Mingyu-ssi looked cool in the photos. But I’m curious, as it looks like it will snow here soon, what food combination would you recommend for a snowy day? As expected, is it soju when it comes to alcohol?
I know what post you’re talking about. Even up to this day, I make sure to think about what type of places I would want to go to on snowy days. I’d go to an Izakaya¹, not one that’s underground, but one where you can see the snow well. There, with a warm, steamy tea, I’ll order a clear soup to go with the alcohol, and drink sake with a few snacks. In those situations it has to be warm sake. It’d be so nice, don’t you think? Warm sake + a clear broth/soup + snow = white heart.As someone who is always in the position of the interviewee, if you became the editor today and were to ask yourself questions, what would you ask yourself?
So right now I’ve become the editor, and I should ask questions to SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu in front of me. That’s a difficult question. I’ll ask you, the editor, a question. How was the interview with me today? How was it seeing me in person?I typically do society and cultural interviews, so I was so nervous up until the point I saw you today, it really was a continuous state of nervousness. Seeing you in person, I was so relieved that you worked with me so professionally, [despite] how nervous I was in front of you. People are all different, but [are also] all quite similar. When I arrived, I grabbed another colleague of mine by the shoulder and said, “he’s really so handsome.” I think I said quite a lot of [those sorts of] silly side comments to myself.
So that’s what he said. Please be sure to include that question and response [in the interview] as well.

¹type of casual Japanese bar where you can stay and drink alcoholic beverages alongside dishes and/or snacks

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dazed (2022)

perfect magazine (2024)

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