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The Korea Times

By KTimes
K-pop boy band Seventeen’s Woozi, holding back tears, said the group “never imagined standing here, let alone receiving these awards” after they claimed the artist of the year award at the 2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) Awards in Osaka, Japan, on November 23.
The group took home two grand prizes, including album of the year, alongside three additional trophies, further cementing their position as one of K-pop’s top acts.
Debuting in 2015 under Pledis Entertainment, a medium-sized label, Seventeen overcame the challenges of being a 13-member group and rose to prominence. Their strength lies in their dedicated fandom, which fuels both album sales and concert attendance.


Their 11th mini-album, Seventeenth Heaven, released in October 2022, set a K-pop milestone with 5.09 million copies sold in its first week. This year, their best album and 12th mini-album, Spill the Feels, each recorded sales of around 3 million, putting Seventeen on the brink of selling over 10 million albums in two consecutive years.
Their concerts filled massive venues, including the Seoul World Cup Stadium, Japan’s Tokyo Dome and the Osaka Kyocera Dome. In the United States, they held 10 shows, showcasing their global appeal.
Seventeen’s appeal lies in their high-quality music, intricate choreography and individual members’ talent.
Pop music critic Park Hee-ah described the group as “a textbook example of K-pop excellence”, adding that every member contributes uniquely, ensuring none are overshadowed. Their variety show Going Seventeen has also helped maintain a strong connection with fans.
Seventeen’s ability to balance refreshing charm with rugged edge and seamlessly adapt to diverse styles is considered one of their strengths.

However, this same versatility is also viewed as a weakness, as they can lack distinctiveness. The group’s 13-member line-up allows them to showcase a wide range of appeal, but it can also result in a scattered focus.
Jung Min-jae, a pop music critic, said: “Excelling across the board can also mean that their unique identity is somewhat diluted. This might explain why, despite their strong popularity in South Korea and Japan, they are comparatively weaker in markets like the US and Europe compared to groups like Stray Kids and Ateez.”
Seventeen have yet to achieve a No. 1 spot on the US Billboard 200 chart or enter the Hot 100 singles chart. Additionally, despite several hits, they lack a universally beloved anthem like BTS’ “Dynamite” or “Spring Day”, which limits their reach beyond a core fan base.
Critics highlight the need for a breakout track that resonates with all demographics.
Group members’ impending military service in South Korea is another obstacle. Following Jeonghan’s enlistment in September, all the group’s Korean members, except S.Coups, who is exempt, must fulfil their mandatory service.

Critics see this as both a challenge and an opportunity.
“Military hiatuses could allow members to showcase individual charm,” said Park, citing the example of Seventeen member Seungkwan’s success in entertainment programmes.
However, critics agree that more members must build individual public profiles to sustain the group’s momentum.
As Seventeen navigate their 10th year, the group stand at a crossroads, balancing their existing dominance with the need to broaden their appeal and strengthen individual identities.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
Read the original story at The Korea Times.


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Seventeen on stage during the 8th Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. While the K-pop group are popular in South Korea, they are not as famous as BTS and Stray Kids in the US. Photo: Getty Images

Members of K-pop group Seventeen perform at the Mnet Asian Music Awards show in Hong Kong in 2018. Photo: Mama

A poster for Seventeen’s 2022 “Be the Sun” world tour. Photo: Pledis Entertainment

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Seventeen balance charm and edge, are excellent ‘across the board’ – but critics say they are not unique and lack a universally beloved song


Seventeen balance charm and edge, are excellent ‘across the board’ – but critics say they are not unique and lack a universally beloved song.


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