SEVENTEEN's new mini-album 'Serenade' aims to provide comfort with heartfelt music, exploring themes of love and emotional storytelling.

I am happy if 'Blue' gives a small comfort to those who are tired or have had a tough day. SEVENTEEN's DK and Seungkwan gently wrap the cold winter night with warm empathetic music. Through their 1st mini-album 'Serenade,' released today (12th) at 6 PM, the two unravel the theme of 'ordinary love' with emotional storytelling, creating a mini-album that everyone can relate to. The title track 'Blue' expresses 'love with different paces' through their poignant harmony. The teaser for the music video released the day before features actors Lee Yu-mi and Noh Sang-hyun, depicting lovers who gradually drift apart. Lee Yu-mi's sorrowful tears and Noh Sang-hyun's wistful gaze have heightened fans' expectations for the main content. They delicately capture the emotions accumulated in daily life and incorporated them into six songs. The two, showcasing the essence of 'winter ballads,' conveyed their honest Q&A through their agency Pledis Entertainment. -- Please tell us your thoughts on releasing the 1st mini-album 'Serenade.' DK: I think 'Serenade' is an album that focuses on vocals and shows our new side. We prepared it with great effort. I am excited to see how CARAT (the name of our fans) will appreciate it. Seungkwan: Each time we release an album, it feels fresh. While working on 'Serenade,' I thought a lot by myself and talked a lot with DK. Since we prepared this album thinking of CARAT, I hope everyone will like it. -- What part did you pay the most attention to while preparing the album? DK: I focused on the recording of 'Blue.' It took a lot of time. I deeply pondered from the preparation stage, and there were many points to be careful about, such as emotional expression and harmony, so the recording process was not easy. Since it is a song we worked on with a lot of love, the sense of accomplishment was even greater when it was completed. -- If you were to point out the highlights of 'Blue,' what would they be? DK: I think it is a song that suits winter and allows us to showcase our voices well. Other members also supported us, saying we did well. Seungkwan: It’s a good song to listen to on the way home or while walking alone. I hope our song can give a small comfort to those who have had a tiring or tough day. -- What do you think of the music video for 'Blue'? Seungkwan: First of all, I sincerely thank the actors who participated. Their profound expressiveness harmonized well with our sensibility, resulting in a good outcome. Since it was produced dramatically, I think if you follow the story of the work well, the emotions will be conveyed even more. -- Please introduce your solo songs that you participated in writing and composing. DK: I worked on 'Rockstar (DK Solo)' inspired by the important people around me. There are times when we take those around us for granted. However, I have come to realize how much strength I receive from those who protect me in my ordinary daily life. I wanted to express my gratitude to them through the song. At the same time, I completed the song with the wish to share this warm feeling with others who receive support and comfort like me. Seungkwan: In life, there are often moments that we pass by without realizing their difficulty or specialness. However, when we look back, those moments often turn out to be the most important and comforting. I wanted to incorporate such moments into the song. I participated in the production of 'Dream Serenade (SEUNGKWAN Solo)' hoping that listeners would recall warm moments in their memories and feel a little peace. -- What are each other's strengths as vocalists? DK: Seungkwan is a vocalist who gives strength to listeners. When I hear his singing, my heart warms. I feel a warmth that helps me overcome a tough day. You can hear that kind of Seungkwan's voice in 'Serenade.' Seungkwan: DK has a really wide range of emotions that he can express through singing. He conveys happiness with his bright voice while also providing healing. So when I listen to DK's singing, sometimes I smile, and other times I immerse myself in bittersweet emotions. His diverse charm as a vocalist is his strength. -- When do you feel the strongest expression of love? DK: It is when I meet CARAT on stage. The stage is a place where SEVENTEEN and CARAT become one. It is a space where our hearts for CARAT and our love for CARAT become one. When we share emotions with fans through singing and performance on stage, I feel the greatest love and happiness. Thank you always, CARAT! Seungkwan: When I think about what 'love' is, CARAT comes to mind first. I want to give everything generously and support while looking at each other. Isn’t that love? And when I am with the members. All 13 of us gathered together to welcome the New Year. Even the members who were away adjusted their holidays. It was purely fun and happy. I was able to have the conviction that 'we will continue to walk together while thinking of each other.' -- Please say a word to CARAT who have been waiting for 'Serenade.' DK: I worked on this album with the feeling that I hope it becomes a reason to answer 'Yes' to the question, 'Were you happy today?' I hope our sincerity is well conveyed and that this music reaches you as warmth that melts the cold winter. We prepared hard to meet CARAT's expectations, so please continue to support our future activities! Seungkwan: While preparing 'Serenade,' I kept asking myself what love is. I worked with the hope that our struggles, sensibilities, and sincerity would reach CARAT. I hope this album will be a way to repay the love you send us. Thank you always.