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K-pop Idol Special: SEVENTEEN — A Manual of "Self-Created Massive Teamwork
K-pop Idol Special: SEVENTEEN — A Manual for “Self-Made Teamwork”
Get to Know SEVENTEEN: 5 Key Q&A
Q1. What kind of group is SEVENTEEN?
They are a 13-member boy group that debuted in 2015 under Pledis Entertainment (now part of HYBE Labels). They are known as the original "self-producing idol", as the members create their own songs and choreography.
Q2. Why is the name 'SEVENTEEN' when there are 13 members?
Great question! It holds a deep meaning: "13 members + 3 units (Hip-Hop Team, Vocal Team, Performance Team) + 1 team = 17".
Q3. Who creates the music?
The main producer, Woozi, leads the team, with Hip-Hop Team members handling rap making and the Performance Team creating choreography. All 13 members are deeply involved in the album production process.
Q4. Why is SEVENTEEN particularly loved?
Their 'perfect teamwork' showcased by 13 members and the 'realistic narrative of effort' they have built since their debut make them one of the most relatable and genuine groups.
Q5. What is the biggest change SEVENTEEN has brought to the K-pop scene?
They set a new standard of "idols who grow and prove themselves" at a time when the success formula relied on "perfectly planned idols" by agencies.
When a large group appeared in K-pop history, many people were skeptical. They wondered, 'Will anyone be able to recognize each member?' and 'How can so many people be managed as one?' However, SEVENTEEN tackled all these concerns head-on. Instead of following a path set by an agency, they choreographed their own dances and wrote their own songs, paving their own way. Today, we explore the growth narrative of SEVENTEEN, a group that completed a massive teamwork manual through the combined efforts of 13 individuals instead of just one genius.
"We weren't a company project, we were our own team."
SEVENTEEN's identity was established during their trainee days before debut. At that time, Pledis Entertainment had limited resources, making it difficult to provide them with much support beyond the practice room. They had to choreograph their own dances, design stage sets, and create their own songs. The members, who were in their late teens at the time, recall that they "held meetings every night without being told," learning to survive on their own amid desperation. This process naturally fostered a strong sense of pride and camaraderie, as they realized, "We are not a project of an agency, but 'our team' that we are building ourselves." This is the root of what has made SEVENTEEN the 'self-producing idol' they are today.
Three Systems that Unite 13 Members
SEVENTEEN has a unique operating principle that effectively unites 13 members while allowing their individual personalities to shine. This can be viewed through three main systems.
1. Efficiency of the 3-Unit System
SEVENTEEN is divided into three specialized units: 'Performance Team', 'Vocal Team', and 'Hip-Hop Team'. This structure not only divides the members but also enables all 13 to actively participate in their respective areas of expertise. Leadership rotates among the units for each project, achieving 'autonomy within division' and effectively overcoming the limitations of having a large group.
2. Self-Producing System
Main producer member Woozi states, "Only the music we create can explain us." Under his direction, Hoshi handles choreography, Dino oversees the overall performance, and the lyrics for the Hip-Hop parts are crafted by S.Coups, Wonwoo, and Vernon. All members participate directly in the album's entire process, ensuring that SEVENTEEN's music always reflects their own stories.
3. Human Teamwork
With 13 members, conflicts are bound to occur. SEVENTEEN's meeting culture addresses these conflicts not by avoiding them but through a democratic process of "conflict → mediation → group voting." Member Joshua expressed that "the team becomes truly solid when it operates like a company rather than a family." This realistic approach, prioritizing the shared goal of 'team success' over emotional grievances, is the biggest secret that has kept 13 members united for nearly a decade.
Episode: Office Worker Park Jinwoo's Team Meeting
"Park Jinwoo, a team leader at a small company, was recently troubled by frequent conflicts among team members. Then he happened to watch an interview where SEVENTEEN mentioned they 'work like a company.' Sticking to a 'family-like atmosphere,' he started introducing 'group voting' and 'majority rule' in the next meeting. Surprisingly, emotional disputes decreased, and productivity increased. The method of reaching a consensus among 13 members turned out to be the answer for his team of five as well."
Chronicle of Growth: Becoming 'Super'
Starting from their own strength, SEVENTEEN has demonstrated a clear narrative of growth with each album.
Period
Representative Songs
Core Message and Significance
2015~2017
Adore U, Very Nice
The excitement of youthful love and the beginning of independence. Announcing the start of the 'self-producing idol'.
2018~2020
Thanks, Don’t Wanna Cry, Home
Deepening emotional depth while singing the value of 'solidarity'. Constructing the narrative of 'mature boys'.
2021~Present
Rock with You, Super, God of Music
Confidence and self-assurance. Establishing themselves as a 'complete performance group' in K-pop.
Initially, they presented the image of fresh boys excited about love, but through songs like 'Don't Wanna Cry' and 'Home', they showcased emotional depth and built a mature narrative. And in 2023, with 'Super', they declared, "We are beings who overcome trials and continue to grow," achieving the top of global charts. The record of selling out the Tokyo Dome for three consecutive days in 2024 proves that their popularity is not localized to specific countries but is a reflection of SEVENTEEN's essence itself.
Episode: College Student Lee Suhyun's 'Home'
"College student Lee Suhyun faced tough times after starting to live alone in an unfamiliar city. When she became burnt out with assignments and part-time jobs, she happened to listen to SEVENTEEN's 'Home.' The lyrics 'I will be your warm home' felt like a message just for her. Overlapping with SEVENTEEN's narrative of growing up in a challenging environment, she found great comfort and was able to rise again."
Leadership of 13: The Human Stories of the Members
SEVENTEEN's teamwork comes not from a single charismatic leader but from 'distributed leadership' exercised by all 13 members in their respective roles.
S.Coups (General Leader): He plays the role of 'leader of leaders' while looking after the members even when injured, stating, "I am the leader, but decisions are made by the team."
Jeonghan: Acts as the mediator between humor and emotions. When conflicts arise, he lightens the stiff atmosphere by saying, "Let's at least make it funny."
Hoshi (Performance Leader): As the choreographer, he balances the stage for the large group of 13. He passionately expresses that "the most thrilling moment is when all 13 breathe in sync with one rhythm."
Vernon (Hip-Hop Team): Known as the key speaker in English interviews and the 'lyric philosopher', he refines the team's message with the belief that "I write lines that stay in the heart rather than trends."
Seungkwan: A talented vocalist and the team's 'emotional regulator', often showing the most heartfelt tears during performances and acceptance speeches, bridging emotions with fans.
Dino (Performance Team): The youngest member takes on a significant role in performance composition, demonstrating a clear pride in saying, "I am also a pillar of SEVENTEEN."
Mingyu: Plays a central role in producing visual content, such as directing videos and photography, earning the title of "the face and hands of SEVENTEEN" among fans.
In-Depth Exploration 1: The 3-Unit System, How All 13 Shine
While having 13 members can create synergy on stage, it can also be a disadvantage in showcasing individual personalities. SEVENTEEN cleverly addressed this issue through their three independent unit system: 'Hip-Hop Team', 'Vocal Team', and 'Performance Team'.
These units do not merely divide positions; they include songs that capture each unit's identity in albums and showcase unit-specific stages at concerts, functioning like 'small groups within the group'. The Hip-Hop Team presents their powerful messages, the Vocal Team shares emotional harmonies, and the Performance Team showcases creative choreography independently. This structure allows all 13 members to belong to the larger team of 'SEVENTEEN' while actively participating in their respective fields, effectively highlighting their individual personalities. They transformed the number 13 from a weakness into a strength of diversity represented as '3+3+3+4=13.'
In-Depth Exploration 2: Two-Way Communication with 'Carats'
What is the secret behind SEVENTEEN's fandom maintaining its strength for so long? It's their unique two-way communication culture with their fans, known as 'Carats.'
SEVENTEEN calls their fans 'Carat', meaning 'the jewel that makes us shine.' From this name alone, it's clear that they treat fans not as mere consumers but as 'partners' in their growth. Since their harsh survival days before debut, they have continuously shared their growth journey with fans in real-time, and after debut, they've shown their commitment by having members directly plan their own content like 'Going SEVENTEEN' and fan events.
This 'sincere communication' instills a strong sense of bond and pride in fans, making them feel that "we raised SEVENTEEN." Fans have become a 'narrative community' that deeply empathizes with SEVENTEEN's music and story, supporting their efforts. The teamwork built on mutual respect among the 13 members extends to their fandom, creating a powerful synergy that has lasted for nearly a decade.
Myths and Facts (FAQ)
Q. Didn't SEVENTEEN benefit from a large agency?
While they eventually became part of the massive label HYBE, their beginnings were different. At debut, Pledis Entertainment was a small agency with limited capital, and the members grew as a 'self-planned, low-budget group' by choreographing their own dances and creating their own broadcast props.
Q. With 13 members, won't their individuality get lost?
On the contrary, it's the opposite. Thanks to the aforementioned '3-unit system' and the clear roles assigned to each member in producing, choreography, and visual directing, the public has been able to recognize the individuality of all 13 members more distinctly.
Q. What is the real secret behind their exceptional teamwork?
As member Joshua stated, they "live like a family, but work like a company." When conflicts arise, they discuss and vote on what is best for the team rather than reacting emotionally, creating a rational meeting culture that is the key to their success.
Author Information: The content of this article has been compiled from official materials from Pledis Entertainment, in-depth interviews from major outlets like TIME Magazine and Rolling Stone Korea, and cross-referenced with Billboard and Oricon chart data to objectively summarize SEVENTEEN's growth mechanism as 'idols that balance organization and humanity.'
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