Interviewer: SEVENTEEN has built an extraordinary career while maintaining a strong identity as a 13-member group. What keeps that identity intact as the members continue developing individually?
SEVENTEEN: We believe our individual growth makes the group stronger. Each member has different interests, strengths and experiences, but we share the same commitment to SEVENTEEN. The goal is not to remain exactly the same, but to grow together.
Interviewer: The group has expanded its unit activities considerably. Does working in smaller combinations give you a different kind of creative freedom?
SEVENTEEN: Definitely. Units allow us to explore ideas and sounds that might be different from what we create as thirteen members. At the same time, those experiences eventually bring new energy back to the group.
The latest example is V8, the unit formed by THE 8 and VERNON. Its first mini album was released on June 29, 2026, with the project exploring themes of youth, uncertainty, recovery and freedom through electronic music.
Interviewer: How important is creative involvement to SEVENTEEN’s identity?
SEVENTEEN: Very important. We want our music and performances to reflect who we are. Being involved in the creative process allows us to communicate more honestly with CARAT and gives every project a personal meaning.
Interviewer: The K-pop industry has become increasingly global. How do you see SEVENTEEN’s role in that international expansion?
SEVENTEEN: We are grateful that people around the world connect with Korean music and culture. We don’t think of global success as replacing our identity. We want to bring our own culture, stories and style to audiences everywhere.
Interviewer: Your relationship with CARAT has been central to the group’s longevity. What does that connection mean to you?
SEVENTEEN: CARAT has grown with us. They have supported us through different stages of our careers, and that creates a very special relationship. We want to continue giving them music and performances that feel meaningful.
SEVENTEEN held its 10th CARAT LAND fan meeting in June 2026, continuing the group’s long-running connection with its fan community.
Interviewer: With global fame also comes increased scrutiny, misinformation and unwanted attention. How important is protecting artists’ privacy today?
SEVENTEEN: Privacy is extremely important. Artists are public figures, but that doesn’t mean every part of their personal lives belongs in public. We hope people can respect boundaries and focus on the music and work we choose to share.
PLEDIS Entertainment has continued legal action against false information, defamatory content and privacy-related violations involving SEVENTEEN members.
Interviewer: What do you want the next era of SEVENTEEN to represent?
SEVENTEEN: Evolution. We want to remain recognizable as SEVENTEEN while continuing to challenge ourselves. There are still many stories we want to tell, many stages we want to perform on and many sides of ourselves that we want to show.
Interviewer: After more than a decade together, what remains the biggest motivation?
SEVENTEEN: The desire to keep creating and performing together. As long as we can share that experience with each other and with CARAT, there will always be another chapter to look forward to.
