Glastonbury 2024 is making history with Seventeen becoming the first K-Pop group to perform at the iconic festival. The 13-member boy band will take the Pyramid Stage on Friday afternoon, joining a lineup that includes Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, and Shania Twain.
But who are Seventeen? Let’s break it down.
Seventeen are a 13-member boy band from South Korea, formed in 2015. The group’s name is a playful equation: 13 members + 3 units (Hip-Hop, Vocal, and Performance) + 1 group = Seventeen.
Known for their catchy, energetic music, Seventeen have become a global sensation.
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Band leader S.Coups says, “There’s a great sense of responsibility. We’ll keep coming back to that feeling and do our best to prepare, so that we can blow everybody away… Not just our fans, but every other member of the audience.”
Seventeen stand out from other K-pop groups thanks to their unique “self-producing” model. The members are actively involved in writing, composing, and choreographing their own music and performances. Rapper Wonwoo explains, “Being engaged in our creative process goes a long way towards making our music more authentic. so we take great pride in it.”
Their Glastonbury debut is a testament to their growing popularity, and they’re relishing the opportunity. S.Coups says, “The time of day doesn’t really matter to us. It’s actually even better that we’ll be performing in the afternoon because the audience can see us better under sunlight.”
Seventeen’s journey to Glastonbury began in the basement of Pledis Entertainment, where they underwent years of rigorous training. Wonwoo reflects, “It lasted maybe four to five years. Our deal was pushed back a little and Woozi, one of our members, thought we could debut earlier than planned if we made our own music.”
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This decision to take creative control proved to be a turning point. Woozi, a classically trained musician, emerged as the band’s main producer, inspiring the other members to participate in the songwriting process.
Seventeen’s self-produced music, combined with their infectious energy and impressive choreography, has captivated fans worldwide. Their Glastonbury performance is set to be a landmark moment, not just for the band, but for K-pop as a whole. As Wonwoo puts it, “That’s the great weapon we have.”
