On April 29, global K-Pop group SEVENTEEN (S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino) held a global press conference prior to the release of their best album, '17 IS RIGHT HERE,' a compilation of their best hits.

This marks their first album in about 6 months following the release of their 11th mini-album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.' "Having a new album out there is always a very nervous experience," said the band's leader, S.Coups. "I think Carats (fandom name) have been waiting for this album. I hope they will feel happy with our new album. This is our new beginning so we're going to start over again and strive forward."

17 IS RIGHT HERE

The anthology album that is "uniquely SEVENTEEN" consists of 33 tracks (digital), which includes their past hits like "Adore U," "MANSAE," "Pretty U," "VERY NICE," "Don't Wanna Cry," "CLAP," some of their recent title tracks "God of Music," "Super," "_WORLD," as well as the Korean versions of some of their Japanese songs such as "Fallin' Flower," "24H," "Not Alone," and "Power of Love," among others.

"I think it means so much because we look back at what we've done so far and then we're going to embark on a new beginning with this best album," said Mingyu.

Apart from the above-mentioned tracks, '17 IS RIGHT HERE' features 4 new songs: the focus track "MAESTRO," "LALALI," "Spell," and "Cheers to youth." 

Dino added that '17 IS RIGHT HERE' is about "a new array of genres," with the title track sung by all of the members; the upbeat "LALALI" by the hip-hop team that "captures our confidence and us just having fun," said Vernon; the dreamy and sentimental song "Spell" by the performance unit where "you will get a very sexy side of the 4 members," said Hoshi; and "Cheers to youth" by the vocal team that "celebrates the essence and the beauty of youth," said DK.

"First of all, we thought of best album with the best quality album not just a best album," Jeonghan expressed. "Instead of just compiling all the past hits that we have, we wanted to add what we're feeling these days, as well as our determination. We also wanted to add the vision for the future that we want to share with Carats in this album."

MAESTRO

S.Coups added, "As always, to be very honest, making a new attempt and challenging ourselves to make something new...there was a sense of fear. I was concerned about how the fans and people out there react to it. But because it was Woozi who was behind its creative process, I thought that Carats and Everyone would definitely love it. I also want to thank Woozi for challenging himself to take on a different kind of genre."

Woozi, who took part in the creation of "MAESTRO," described it as a "conductor or an established figure in a specific field." He added, "We wanted to signify that our team has come together to orchestrate the world and wish to be a trailblazing and trend-leading figure in our scene."

According to the band's main producer, they weaved in elements from their past tracks like "ADORE U," "Pretty U," "Oh My!," "Fear," "Rock with you," "Cheers," and "Super" to their recent title song "MAESTRO," to create a whole new vibe, making it "uniquely familiar" to SEVENTEEN's listeners.

Joshua then shared his first impression of the song: "For me, when I first heard it, I got really excited. I thought about what would the public and fans think because I personally loved it."

"The keyword 'maestro' was really impressive," Hoshi added. "I thought it was impactful for us to do a point choreography."

Seungkwan commented on the song's music video, emphasizing that we live in this world where anything can be created with AI and technology and how they wanted to deliver the message about the meaning of this "true creation." He stated that "SEVENTEEN coming together, becoming one, and leading the world" is one of the main points of the release. "There are a lot of easter eggs hidden in the music video, so I hope our fans can really pay attention and try to find them as well," he added.

CONCERTS, TOUR, AND FESTIVALS

"Last month in March, we finished our concerts in Incheon and then this past weekend, we had our encore concert in Seoul," said Jun, adding that they unveiled the 4 new tracks at the concerts prior to their release and that the fans' reactions gave them courage and confidence for this album.

"From the Incheon and Seoul concerts, we're going to get that energy we got from Carats and we are now off to Japan in May," The8 shared.

Mingyu revealed that aside from '17 IS RIGHT HERE,' they will be releasing another album later this year. "After the 'Follow Again' tour, I'm thinking there might be another concert. This year is very meaningful for all of us and we have a lot in store for you."

"In the fall, we are going to be coming at you with a new tour," Joshua revealed. "We are going to be there with you, our Carats in the United States."

Apart from solo shows, Wonwoo added that they will be at the 'Glastonbury' festival in the UK in June and will be headlining the 'Lollapalooza' in Berlin in September.

SEVENTEEN AND CARAT

Even if SEVENTEEN is now approaching its 10th anniversary next year, the members are always eager to show everyone that they are doing their best, always. "We wanted to show a new facet our ourselves. We are not being complacent. We have so much passion inside of us," said Woozi.

"I don't think anything can break our bond. Nothing can break our bond," Seungkwan expressed.

Hoshi added, "I think it's also because we were almost raised together as teenagers. I'm 29 years old (Korean age) born in 1996, but I feel like I'm a high school student when I'm with the members. I'm so thankful that I met all of you. Thank you guys!"

"Carat means the world to us. They are something that we can't live without. They always shoot us with so much love. They are the reason for our existence," said Dino.

Hoshi: "Carat loves us more than we love ourselves."

Special thanks to PLEDIS Entertainment for the invite / Photo courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment