Why You Should Stan Seventeen

13-member group Seventeen is arguably my favorite K-pop group of all time. There's nothing not-to-love about this group: in my eyes, they are the perfect idol group, and the fact that they aren't even a bigger deal outside of Asia blows my mind. Here are some reasons why you should stan Seventeen:

1. They prove that numbers don't overwhelm team dynamics.
13 members is a lot. Their numbers come off as intimidating for many people, but there’s a reason why they’re so popular in Asia. It’s because their team chemistry is something truly special. Seventeen are truly a family. Members in the group have basically known each other for at least five years, and they have bonded over unfortunate circumstances early on in the careers as idols that have made them such a close group. That bond is displayed in the energy they display on stage. The group is so in tune with each other in a way that can’t be made artificially. It’s truly a sight to see.

2. They’re leading the newest wave of self-producing idols.
Seventeen are known by the Korean public as the “self-producing” idol group, and the title is deserved. All members have contributed to writing music, and a handful (Woozi, Hoshi, and Vernon especially) have produced for their group. Seventeen’s dance line have also choreographed all of their group’s performances, especially Hoshi. Pretty much everything they do is distinctly their own, and what they produce is very organic, authentic, and delivered with love and attention, something that isn’t very common in the notoriously manufactured K-pop industry.

3. They are the new kings of synchronicity.

Seventeen are synonymous with synchronicity when it comes to choreography. Even with such different body types and varying backgrounds and experience in dance, members display none of that in the group’s tight, high-energy performances. They’re never not in-sync. I sometimes doubt they’re humans, if I’m being honest. If anything, you can’t help but feel extremely satisfied watching the group perform. Every movement they do is just 100% together.

From their dance practice video for their single "Thanks" (2018)

4. They have an inspiring underdog story.

While their company Pledis Entertainment wasn’t in complete obscurity when they debuted, Seventeen was formed at a time when Pledis was essentially bankrupt. Members were given the bare minimum to debut as an idol group (partly the reason why they are self-producing in the first place: their company wanted to save money managing such a large group), and so they really started from nothing. Seventeen was so poor that they couldn’t even afford basic performance equipment such as in-ear monitors. The staff around them during their early days were borderline abusive, and their success seemed nothing but a very impossible dream. It’s truly heartwarming to see the group now witness immense recognition not only in their native South Korea but internationally as well, with some of the Korean public naming Seventeen as one of the top three newer-generation boy groups in South Korea (alongside relatively more senior artists EXO and BTS). 

5. They are very extra.

When they’re not being disciplined machines of top-tier performance and professionalism, Seventeen descends into chaos. With thirteen members, you’re bound to have some over-the-top personalities that really lean into total absurdity and never break character, and Seventeen has that in spades. Members Seungkwan, Hoshi, and Dokyeom are known by fans to be the “moodmakers” of the group, not only injecting energy to the group’s dynamics but also to fans. Even members who are known to be on the calmer side have their weird moments. Basically, no one in Seventeen is normal. Check out what happens when you have the members react to their music video for "Clap":

6. Their unit system is really cool.

Seventeen has been splitting up into three “teams” since their debut, with an official sub-unit formed this year. Known as the hip-hop team (members Scoups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, and Vernon), the vocal team (members Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi, Dokyeom, and Seungkwan), and the performance team (members Jun, Hoshi, The8, and Dino); these three units would release tracks that tended to focus on each unit’s specialties. Thus, a wide range of genres would be explored in unit songs that only added flavor to the group’s signature, core sound. Hip-hop team, with members that specialize in rap, tended to release tracks that are experimental, aggressive, and/or more indie in taste. Vocal team is known for their power ballads and mellower tracks. Performance team never fails to experiment with tracks that are always bops that showcase the members’ skilled dancing. Newly formed sub-unit “BooSeokSoon” (members Hoshi, Dokyeom, and Seungkwan) debuted with their track “Just Do It”, which perfectly encapsulates the trio’s over-the-top, incredibly comical sense of humor.

7. Their music is consistently high-quality.

While I will always love my other groups, I honestly think Seventeen takes the cake for the most consistently-strong discography since their debut. Seventeen is the kind of group that I’ve never hated a single song of theirs. I might not love each one (and trust me, I love about 90% of their songs), but the fact that every song I’ve listened to hasn’t turned me off is truly a testament to Seventeen’s attention to detail. B-sides are generally lower-quality in an industry that focuses so much on heavily-promoted singles, but that’s never been the case for Seventeen.

8. Their music has a very distinct style, even as they explore various genres and influences in their music.

Seventeen are undeniably K-pop, but their music has always tended to infuse funk elements to the pop music they do release. Even if the group has developed a more mature sound in recent years (starting with their hit single "Don't Wanna Cry", which is very much an EDM track), the group still finds a way to infuse that youthful energy to their songs, such as the case with their rock-influenced, guitar-heavy song "Clap". Seventeen has a very strong musical identity, which isn't always the case for many K-pop groups, and that's what has made the group so distinct.

9. They have international appeal. 
Not only does the group dabble in more western music trends (not to the point where it sounds like they're trying too hard, thank goodness), but they also have members that are foreign-born. Members Joshua and Vernon were born and raised in America and speak English fluently, and members Jun and The8 were born and raised in China and speak Mandarin fluently. Several members of Seventeen, especially Wonwoo, Mingyu, and Dino, speak Japanese at a pretty advanced level. There are even more members that also study other languages. Even with their distinctly K-pop sound, Seventeen has massive potential to blow up internationally.

LA-native Joshua (left) and American-born Vernon (right)

Chinese members Jun (left) and The8, real name Xu Minghao (right)

10. Each member is incredibly well-rounded.
Because of the way their unit system is structured, members are sometimes unable to display their wide-range of talents in their group. While the performance team usually leads dances and delves into pretty hard choreography for their unit stuff, each member are also strong vocalists, with members Hoshi and Dino also operating as sub-rappers in the group. Vocalist Woozi is an incredible dancer, and members of the hip-hop team can also sing and dance (being a member of Seventeen means you have to be good at dancing). And of course, they all are involved in the music they put out. Fully capable indeed.

11. They really, really love their fans.
Because of their humble and somewhat-unfortunate beginnings, Seventeen are truly grateful to their fans for the kind of support they receive as one of the biggest boy groups in South Korea. Known as "Carats", Seventeen fans are loved by the members of Seventeen, who all treat each fan as if they're their friends. Carats are known be the one of the "chillest" K-pop fandoms as well, and Seventeen tries their hardest to make their fans happy. Their recent Korean release "Thanks" is literally a long thank you letter to their fans in the form of a song. There's just a lot of mutual love and respect being passed between both parties, so why not join in?

12. They are respectful and aim to be socially conscious.
Seventeen has pretty close relationships with other idol groups such as their label mates Pristin and Nu'est, but they also enjoy close friendships with Monsta X, GOT7, and BTS. Certain members of Seventeen are also really close with certain members of EXO, NCT, and Pentagon. Seventeen are basically the social butterflies in the K-pop world, which is a testament to their easy-going and warm personalities. When covering girl group songs, Seventeen always take the covers seriously as opposed to making fun of the feminine side of the songs, which isn't something most boy groups do. Members have also repeatedly said that they don't like conforming to restrictive Korean beauty standards and have recently shown socially progressive stances in their music (a B-side off their full-length album Teen, Age opts for gender-neutral pronouns in a song about friendship and/or love, which is inclusive to their fan base).

13. They're only getting started.
Having recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary, Seventeen are still young blood in the industry. The fact that each time they come out with new music is only an improvement on previous releases shows that the group isn't slowing down anytime soon. The group is only going to become a bigger deal in the near future. Why not find out for yourself how amazing this group is?

Why You Should Stan Pentagon

Of all the groups I stan, 10-member group Pentagon is probably the most underrated-for-no-reason boy group right now.

Pentagon has been a recent obsession of mine, and I'm honestly upset I didn't get into them sooner. Here are some reasons why you should stop sleeping on Pentagon:

1. You've probably heard of songs composed and written by the members. You probably just didn't know it was from Pentagon.
What comes to mind immediately is project boy group Wanna One's debut song "Energetic", which swept the charts in Korea and rose the group to even greater renown than they already experienced on Produce 101 Season 2. A little known fact, but Pentagon members Wooseok and Hui wrote the song, with Hui even producing it as well. If you like "Energetic", then you should definitely check out the mastermind behind the song.

2. They're also self-producing.
Given that Pentagon members give out songs to other groups to use, it's no surprise that Pentagon also self-produces. Members Hui, Jinho, E'Dawn, Hongseok, Yuto, Kino, and Wooseok have all contributed lyrics and/or music to their discography. Main dancer Kino has even choreographed several routines for his group. They really are multi-talented.

3. Yes, their song "Shine" is an 11/10 bop. But so are their other tracks.
Pentagon's April 2018 comeback is certifiably the best thing ever. The general public started to get interested in the group, and "Shine" saw the group charting on Korean music charts for the first time. Arguably, the group has even better singles that just was never appreciated by anyone other than fans. So I suggest you also check out "Like This", "Critical Beauty", and their debut song "Gorilla". And while you're at it, check out beloved B-sides "Violet" and "Off-Road".

4. They're multilingual.
Members Yanan and Yuto are from Japan and China respectively, but members Hongseok and Jinho also have a pretty strong grasp on Mandarin and English in addition to their native Korean. The group has potential to really branch out internationally, and with growing interest for the group in the western hemisphere, it's worth checking them out.

Foreign members Yuto from Japan (left) and Yanan from China (right)

5. Their vocalists are incredible.
Main vocalists Jinho (a former SM trainee) and Hui (also the leader) are just amazing singers. While they are able to showcase their talents in their songs, you should check out Jinho's solo projects where he releases solo covers of songs each month, called "Magazine Ho".

6. They are an actual mess.
Seriously. Their company Cube Entertainment needs to stop giving them sugar or something. There's never a dull moment with the Pentagon members, as seen with the insane levels the group goes to celebrate member Yeo One's birthday.

7. They also have a great relationship with their fans.
Pentagon's fans (known as "Universe") aren't the largest fandom around (again, because people don't appreciate art), but they're devoted, and the relationship is mutual. Pentagon members honestly view their fans as friends, and it's apparent that Pentagon relies on their fans as much as their fans do for Pentagon.

8. Their rappers are rising talent.
Rappers E'Dawn, Yuto, and Wooseok are all promising idol-rappers, having already contributed a lot to their group's discography in music and lyrics. Each member, when they rap, is also so distinct in every Pentagon song. Member E'Dawn has a sort of nasally, high-tone style of rap that usually turns me off but just works really well in Pentagon songs (the strongest example is the spotlight he receives in "Shine"). Yuto introduces his iconic deep-toned raps with "유토다" (Romanization: "Yutoda"), which translates to "It's Yuto" in Korean. Wooseok has an equally deep voice, but adds an extra layer of energy and a raspy kind of feel to his style of rapping.

9. Their reaction to receiving recognition with "Shine" is the purest thing ever.
Pentagon saw their April 2018 comeback song "Shine" receive love from the Korean general public by charting on Korean charts for the first time since their debut in October of 2016. Members held a sudden live broadcast where they built a cake out of Moon Pies, and they all posted messages of gratitude to their fans. While a small, insignificant achievement for other groups, Pentagon's gratitude for their song becoming the next sleeper hit in 2018 is so pure. You can really tell how humble the members are about their success.

10. They are well-rounded and hard-working.
Members of Pentagon are like chameleons, able to all dance and sing especially well. Some vocalists can also rap well, and the rappers of Pentagon can easily assume sung-rap roles in their songs. Each time they come back with music, it's always top-quality, and they always give 100% with anything they do. If anything, you can't help but respect how talented each member is and how seamless their dynamic is.

Why You Should Stan BTS

Global takeovers and pop sensations BTS (Korean: 방탄소년단; Romanization: Bangtan Sonyeondan) are arguably the biggest emerging boy group since the early days of One Direction. They're not stopping any soon.

BTS was my true introduction to contemporary K-pop, and it was interesting to see how a group like BTS has been the face of new wave of K-pop. It took me awhile to get into them, if I'm being honest. I haven't looked back on that decision.

1. They have an inspiring underdog story.
This is something I just really admire about the group. Coming from incredibly small company Big Hit Entertainment (founded by former JYP producer Bang Si-hyuk), BTS literally started from nothing, having very limited resources at their disposal to make it in the incredibly tough K-pop industry. It's amazing and a glorious miracle that the group has the kind of success it experiences now.

2. They're self-producing.
All members have been involved in some part of their group's music-making process. Truth be told, that just makes the music that they put out all the more authentic. BTS is one of those K-pop idol groups that blur the line between idol and musician. They're truly artists in their genre, and the stuff that they write easily transcends any barriers. Rappers RM, Suga, and J-Hope have all released mix-tapes that they self-wrote and self-produced, which reveal the personalities and music tastes of the rappers in a more intimate fashion.

3. They're incredibly grateful for their fans.
Because of their underdog background, BTS is incredibly thankful for their fans who have levitated them to the stratosphere of K-pop. K-pop is always reliant on fans above all else (money is, after all, money), but the sincerity that BTS expresses towards their fans is very special.

A scene from one of their many sold-out arena concerts

4. They always are mindful of their roots.
No one is more aware of their origins as BTS is. Their discography throughout the years is tinged by the sort of people-with-big-dreams mindset that landed them to where they are now, and they embrace their past selves even as they delve in various genres in their music. Above all, the group remains incredibly humble about the success they have achieved, and that's something very admirable.

5. They have some of the most unique vocalists in K-pop.
Arguably, their singers (Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook) don't have the best technique in K-pop, but their vocal colors are incredibly diverse and distinctive. I think that's what sets them apart from other groups, because there whole image is just imbued with identity, even coming down to easily distinguishing who's singing.

6. Their dancing is off-the-charts.
Despite only having three formally-trained dancers in the group, BTS is known for their synchronicity in their dances that also set them apart from other groups. The dances are hard, engaging, and incredibly seamless.

7. Their rappers are some of the best rappers in K-pop.
Part of it has to do with credibility. Members RM and Suga were part of underground hip-hop scenes before joining Big Hit as idols, for one thing. They also are just good rappers. All three members are known for their distinctive styles and their individual flairs that make BTS's rap line the strongest in K-pop. RM is known for his clever use of wordplay (especially with melding Korean and English lyrics to fit with that wordplay) and his diverse delivery. Suga's style is equally wide-ranging, whether that be adopting a very chill vibe or delivering bullet-fast verses, penning incredibly raw lyrics with little regard to censoring himself (he basically couldn't care less about what people think about his lyrics). J-Hope's personality quite literally bursts from his rapping, giving you a high sense of energy any time you listen to him.

Rappers Suga (left), J-Hope (middle), and RM (right)

Stan talent. Stan BTS.

Why You Should Stan NCT

SM Entertainment's youngest (and unconventionally conceptualized) boy group NCT is probably the most ambitious thing SM has done in quite some time. As someone who started off thinking that I wouldn't like groups larger than seven members (BTS), it was very surprising that I found myself really loving this eighteen-member (and growing) group. Here are some reasons why you should stan NCT:

1. They're incredibly diverse.
With members hailing from all parts of the globe (members come from China, Canada, USA, Thailand, and Japan), NCT truly has a global concept in mind. Members Ten (from Thailand) and Yuta (from Japan) hold the distinction for being the first SM idols of their nationality to debut in an SM group. You can imagine the number of languages the group speaks fluently. There's Korean, English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Thai. Truly the most multilingual group in K-pop right now.

2. Taeyong and Mark single-handedly saved SM's infamous reputation for having terrible rappers.
SM, while known for debuting incredibly well-trained groups with strong dancers and vocalists, lacks quite a lot in having decent rappers in their groups. Then came Taeyong and Mark, who have been SM's saving grace in executing NCT's aggressive hip-hop image in their NCT U and NCT 127 songs. Taeyong and Mark are SM's best rappers by a long-shot. Both have a very natural flow to their delivery, and they have incredible presence as rappers.

Mark (left) and Taeyong (right)

3. They are involved in writing lyrics.
Taeyong and Mark are currently the only two members who write frequently for the group (member Jaehyun once contributed to NCT 127's debut song "Fire Truck") and have been since their debut. I find that impressive, considering SM is not known for taking advantage in-house talent to churn out great songs in general, and especially considering the fact that I've never seen an SM group be involved in self-producing as such a young group.

4. Their dancers are no joke.
Members Ten, Taeyong, and Jisung are given "main dancer" roles in the NCT units they partake in, and the title is well-deserved. Ten is acknowledged by both fans and professional dancers alike to be one of the best active K-pop dancers in general. But pretty much everyone in the group can dance incredibly well. NCT dances are more often than not incredibly challenging. The fact that they can pull it off so well is satisfying to watch and makes you want to blink in shock.

5. Their music appeals to a wide-range of tastes.
Because of their unit system, in which members are split into largely-independent sub-units within the larger NCT umbrella and focus on certain concepts, NCT discography as a whole pretty much satisfies every music taste. Like experimental, hard hip-hop influences in your music? Look no further than NCT 127. Like a more polished, equally-experimental track? How about NCT U's "The 7th Sense", or "Boss"? Like some straightforward, bubblegum pop? NCT Dream in a nutshell. Looking for vocal-emphasized tracks? Check out NCT songs such as "Timeless", "Without You", "Sun & Moon", or any other song that features NCT 127's vocalists. Personally, I find NCT U to have the most consistently-great catalog. With only a handful of tracks ("The 7th Sense", "Without You", "Timeless", "Boss", "Baby Don't Stop", and "Yestoday") to their name, NCT U has some of the most diverse tracks of any unit (their whole concept, by the way, is to release tracks that explore various genres and themes), and they're all really, really good.

6. They have great personalities.
Partly due to their more junior role in the K-pop industry, and partly due to the fact that they are just nice people, NCT members are all emerging idols in the industry that deserve more attention for their fun and respectful personalities as opposed to their looks.

7. Their vocalists are underappreciated.
With their concept focusing so much on experimental hip-hop sounds, it's no surprise (but disappointing nonetheless) that NCT vocalists have to take a backseat on their main tracks. Even knowing that SM has been consistent on giving us great vocalists throughout their history of being involved in the idol-making process, I was still surprised by how talented NCT's vocalists are. There's powerhouse (and incredibly stable) vocalists Taeil, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Haechan, and Chenle, but there's also Ten (whose vocals in "Baby Don't Stop" are a god-send), Johnny, Yuta, and Renjun. Even rappers Taeyong and Mark are surprisingly good singers.

Vocalists Doyoung (left), Jaehyun (middle), and Taeil (right)

8. Their concept is not that confusing, so stop lying to yourself.
Basically every time a person says they don't like NCT, the reason they give is because their unit system is "confusing", which is a bunch of BS. Yeah, they're going to add members, and there are multiple groups within NCT, but once you accept that they're trying to be different from any other K-pop idol group, then it's not hard to learn about how NCT works. Even with so many members, I find learning about the NCT members incredibly easy, considering that members are usually split up into their different units. Plus, it's not like learning about each unit requires learning a new set of faces and names: there are a handful of members in more than one unit, so there is overlap to the NCT system that makes it even less confusing.

9. They have some truly great songs.
I'm talking about legendary, constant-replay value type of songs. There's NCT U's entire discography (standouts are "The 7th Sense", "Without You", "Boss", "Baby Don't Stop", and "Yestoday"); "Limitless", "Touch", "Back 2 U", "Summer 127", and "0 Mile" from NCT 127; and "My First and Last", "We Young", "My Page", and "Go" from NCT Dream. They're also not all about love, something quite refreshing in K-pop. "The 7th Sense" is incredibly ambiguous and open to interpretation (lyrics discuss feeling trapped in dreams and feeling lost); "Yestoday" is an incredibly personal song for members Taeyong and Mark (who both contributed lyrics to the song) that touch on past regrets and the pains of being an idol, "My Page" touches on the NCT Dream's members' worries and fears as young idols, and NCT Dream's "Go" is a sharp critique of the complicity of society while also being an anthem for teenage rebelliousness. Quite a lot of NCT songs touch on dreams in some way, and it really brings into perspective that even with their ambitious concept, NCT are really just regular people with big dreams that are slowly starting to see those dreams become reality.

An Essential Listening Guide: NCT 127

Curious about NCT’s (currently) only fixed, 9-member unit? Here are the songs that capture NCT 127 in a nutshell.

1. “Limitless” (2017)
This is my personal favorite in terms of NCT 127 singles/title tracks. This song is the NCT's experimental concept fully realized, providing a song that is melodic and undeniably pop but still digging into experimental sounds and interesting choices in production. It's a song that makes sense for NCT 127, but it also transcends any perceptions of the group.

2. “Cherry Bomb” (2017)
Personally, I don’t really consider this a good song (the English lyrics are just… cringe, and the song never settles), but it is a very hype song. The production is really eerie, and I do admire how it pushes the boundaries of typical K-pop. This song has brought international recognition to the group and NCT as a whole, and NCT 127 won their first music show trophy with the song, so I think it captures a very big milestone for NCT 127. It even got nominated for a prestigious Korean Music Award (awards chosen by music critics, not by popularity). The choreography is really powerful, intense, and unsettling yet satisfying to watch at the same time (one word: splits). The song does have its perfect moments, with Mark’s parts, especially the bridge section, being a true delight (this boy is seriously so talented). Whether you love it or hate it, it’s hard to deny the lasting impression “Cherry Bomb” leaves.

3. “Touch” (2017)
I was delighted when I heard that the group would be doing a complete 180 with their concepts and choose a soft, refreshing concept for “Touch”. The song is a delight. You kind of feel like floating on clouds when you’re listening to this song, and the chorus is undeniably euphoric and sweet. Main vocalist Taeil gets to utilize his amazing voice in this song (his adlibs really are no joke). This song really shows just how versatile of a group NCT is.

4. “Firetruck” (2016)
This is an... interesting debut. It certainly makes a statement about the kind of group NCT 127 wants to be, but besides the choreography, this song and the era it came with it has been a rather low-point in NCT 127's career, and I think many fans would rather choose to highlight other NCT 127 songs.

5. 0 Mile (2017)
A promoted B-side off of their Cherry Bomb EP, this is a stylistic deviation from their aggressive titular track "Cherry Bomb" by offering an upbeat pop song, something a bit more conventional yet still pleasing to listen to.

You should also check out: "Good Thing" (2017), "Back 2 U" (2017), "Summer 127" (2017), and their newest release (and Japan debut song) "Chain" (2018)

An Essential Listening Guide: Seventeen

Curious about 13-member boy group Seventeen? Want to get a crash course on their discography? Here are the Seventeen essentials (my personal opinion, obviously).

1. "Very Nice" (2016)
This is the first song that made me become a Seventeen fan, and the first dance practice I watched. This captures Seventeen's essence in a neat package. It's explosive, fun, and super addictive, with one of the greatest hooks the group has produced.

2. "Don't Wanna Cry" (2017)
This is definitely one of Seventeen's most well-known songs, and with good reason. It gave the group the sort of domestic and international recognition it hadn't previously seen before, and it's a definitely a sonic departure from their funk-driven pop, more playful concepts. Leaning into an EDM-influenced track and choreography inspired by modern-dance, "Don't Wanna Cry" has become one of Seventeen's most ubiquitous songs, their second-coming of sorts.

3. "Clap" (2017)
This is definitely a song that grows on you. I initially didn't like it, but the energetic performance from the group sells you on this happy-go-lucky song about not letting your sad moments get you down. The group takes risks with inverting perceptions about the group, choosing to have members that previously stayed in the background of previous title tracks sing the chorus. It pays off and then some, making this song a return to Seventeen's signature funk style while showing how much they have matured as artists and idols.

4. "Pretty U" (2016)
This was the song that really jump-started the popularity that the group experiences now. It's fun and breezy, but definitely packs enough oomph to really showcase the sort of versatility that Seventeen possesses. Many fans consider this their greatest title song.

5. "Highlight" (2016)
The first Seventeen track I ever listened to, this dance track is originally performed by Seventeen's performance sub-unit, also known as their dance line. There's something truly epic about the song, never losing its energy and sounding incredibly mainstream yet totally unique at the same time. It's entrancing, catchy, and truly iconic.

6. "Thanks" (2018)
Written as a "thank you" song for their fans, "Thanks" is surprisingly grave, even as it has elements of a dance track. Again highlighting the skills of sometimes less-emphasized members, the song continues to push the idea of what Seventeen sounds as a group while also introducing new elements to their signature sound. Member and producer/songwriter Woozi opts for a sort of current trend with the sonic landscape of "Thanks" that still requires multiple listens. The choreography is surprisingly intense and very emotive, showcasing the group's renowned synchronicity. It's a meaningful song for their fans, who were the ones that have seen the group come from a bankrupt company to becoming one of the three most influential and successful K-pop boy groups of this generation of idols. This is their way of expressing their gratitude. The song's Korean title is "고맙다" (romanization: gomapda), which is a more sincere/serious way of saying "thank you" in Korean.

7. "Thinkin' about you" (2018)
Sure, this song is kind of a basic pop love song, but the lyrics have meaningful narratives, raw emotional confessions, and beautiful imagery about past love and the nostalgic, mixed feelings surrounding past experiences with love. The production is impeccable, and it highlights what makes Seventeen so great.

8. "Adore U" (2015)
Seventeen's debut song made a strong statement about the kind of concept the group was aiming for, and boy was it exciting. It remains Seventeen's one of most iconic songs, which isn't always the case for debut songs of other groups. Even if you prefer Seventeen's more aggressive, darker sound in their more recent discography, you still have to appreciate what "Adore U" has done for the group.

9. "Mansae" (2015)
This song is just SO addictive. "Mansae" in Korean roughly translates to "hooray", and the song certainly captures that sort of euphoric feeling in its execution. This song literally makes you want to jump for joy, and the choreography certainly matches the high-energy style of the song and its lyrical content.

10. "Habit" (2017)
A B-side from their Al1 EP, "Habit" is a powerful ballad that highlights Seventeen's talented vocalists (aka their "vocal team"). The group's not known for melancholy tracks, but when they make one, boy do they deliver.