Mark Stefanos
In the whirlwind world of K-pop, SEVENTEEN are stalwart giants. At 13 members strong, they’ve built their empire brick-by-brick, churning out hits, choreo, and concepts from within their own creative lab since bursting onto the scene in 2015.
Earlier this year, they dropped their fifth studio album, Happy Burstday, in celebration of their 10th anniversary, which boasted collabs with Pharrell Williams and Timbaland — it sold 2.3 million copies on its first day. It continues one of the most impressive track records in modern music, which includes the two best-selling K-pop albums of all time, 2023’s FML and Seventeenth Heaven. They’re the first K-pop acts to perform at Glastonbury and Lollapalooza Berlin, and in 2024, they won Best Group at the MTV VMAs, Top K-pop Touring Artist at the Billboard Music Awards, and were the world’s biggest music group in sales and streams, behind only Taylor Swift and Drake for the top spot in all of music.
This week, they bring their “NEW_” World Tour to Los Angeles for two nights at BMO Stadium, Oct. 16 and 17. The band’s creative vision will splash beyond the stage, with experiences across town throughout the month as part of their “THE CITY” takeover.
SEVENTEEN (Courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment)
For CARATs (the group’s fanbase), THE CITY experience is like a month-long SEVENTEEN festival. It kicked off on Oct. 4 with a pop-up in K-Town that’s open til Nov. 16. Complex LA hosted a merch pop-up starting last Saturday, Oct. 11, that lasted til Monday, Oct. 13. There was a sing-along party at Universal Studios on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Korean-American rapper Dumbfoundead hosted a pre-show celebration and welcome party with his friends, as part of an Airbnb experience. And the Santa Monica Pier is featuring SEVENTEEN’s light theme on its famous Ferris wheel this Wednesday, Oct. 15, through Friday, Oct. 17.
“Seeing iconic landmarks of LA — like the Pacific Wheel at Santa Monica Pier or Universal Studios Hollywood — light up with SEVENTEEN’s colors and energy will be incredibly meaningful for both us and CARATs,” group leader S.COUPS tells LA Weekly.
There’s more — partner Airbnb is offering additional SEVENTEEN-themed experiences, including a dance class, hair makeover, pizza social and hike. And there will be SEVENTEEN-themed menus at Old Ferry Donut, Ahgassi Gopchang, It’s Boba Time, BAEKJEONG, Wanderlust Creamery, and Melo Melo throughout the month.
Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel Lighting in 2024 (Courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment)
It’s all built around those BMO nights, where SEVENTEEN promises to crank the dial on their self-produced magic. The NEW_ Tour will feature members S.COUPS, JOSHUA, JUN, THE 8, MINGYU, DK, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON and DINO. Four members, JEONGHAN, HOSHI, WONWOO and WOOZI, won’t be joining this tour as they are fulfilling their mandatory 18-month minimum military service in South Korea.
When they debuted back in 2015 with EP 17 Carat under PLEDIS Entertainment (now under HYBE), the group hit the scene as a rare breed. The name SEVENTEEN is the sum of their 13 talents split into three units: hip-hop, vocal, and performance, but always syncing up for that one seamless full-group fire. Their model defies the manufactured-pop-idol mold, instead building their sound in-house, with WOOZI helming production, HOSHI leading performances, and everyone pitching in on lyrics, composition, dance, and conceptual input, making their growth feel more organic than many peers.
The group has managed to keep the machine humming for 10 years by cultivating group dynamics that feel more like a chaotic, loving reunion than a boardroom. “I think there’s no word to describe us better than ‘family,’” S.COUPS says, especially poignant given the current members away on military enlistments, and five more members required to enlist before age 30. “We’re looking forward to the day we can all reunite again as a complete team. Until then, we’re staying connected, supportive, and positive.”
That closeness allows them to hash out disagreements like pros. “We try to make every decision unanimously whenever possible,” S.COUPS explains. “Of course, it’s not always easy to reach a perfect agreement, but we take the time to explain our thoughts, listen to each other, and find a middle ground. This helps us learn more about our different perspectives and strengthen our teamwork.”
They’ve leveled up their creative grind for the NEW_ Tour. “The most notable change this time is that each member has a solo performance,” says DINO. “Preparing to showcase our individual tracks has allowed each of us to express our personal colors and emotions in unique ways, and I believe this creative expression marks a meaningful evolution for us as a group.” Happy Burstday features a solo song for each member, and just three group tracks — hinting at what’s to come for the group as members establish their individual careers.
SEVENTEEN pop-up in Los Angeles (Courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment)
“For my solo performance, I contributed several ideas to the VCR that plays beforehand to ensure it complements the mood of my stage,” says THE 8. He teased that in prepping for the tour, they’ve put forth great effort in planning surprises for the CARATs. “We wanted to create something that feels new and special compared to last year’s tour, yet still reflects SEVENTEEN’s distinct color and sound.”
Through the rigors of touring, MINGYU adds that it’s the fans who provide their fuel. “Each city and night gives us the opportunity to connect with different CARATs, whose energy always excites me.” To decompress after the show, they gather in one of their rooms to talk about the performances, “and just chat about every little thing,” he chuckles. “Those moments of laughter and relaxation together have become a routine for us, and we often drift off to sleep without even realizing it.”
LA holds a special spot in SEVENTEEN’s story, thanks to JOSHUA, the smooth-voiced heartthrob who was born in Los Angeles. He grew up going to a Koreatown church where he performed with the praise team, and was a student at Downtown Magnets High School. He was scouted by PLEDIS at the LA Korean Festival in 2012, then jetted to Seoul soon after. He spent much of his formative years by himself in Korea training, then becoming a part of SEVENTEEN, which forced tight bonds with the group.
Returning with the crew feels like coming full circle. “I’m truly grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received,” JOSHUA says, reflecting on last year’s visit, where the LA City Council bestowed upon the group a certificate of appreciation for their artistic achievements and their role as Goodwill Ambassadors for Youth for UNESCO. JOSHUA accepted the award on the group’s behalf. “I’m so glad to return to the stage in LA again … being able to continue our meaningful connection with the city fills me with a great sense of pride.”
The love between LA and SEVENTEEN is mutual. “I feel like CARATs in LA have such a vibrant and cheerful energy,” DINO says, recalling last year’s shows. “I still clearly remember the moment when I walked out to the extended stage and saw everyone at the floor seats stand up — dancing and enjoying the music with us.”
SEVENTEEN (Courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment)
Offstage, the boys keep it real amid the frenzy. MINGYU will be all about the foodie detours this round in LA. “I’d like to visit some new places we haven’t tried before. It’s always a nice way to unwind — discovering something new, sharing good food, and having lighthearted conversations with the members.”
As far as collabs with more artists stateside, VERNON name-drops Dylan Brady of 100 gecs as a dream team-up — “He’s one of the artists I truly admire and I would love the chance to collaborate with him someday” — but notes that “it’s important to stay true to yourself and your own style.”
As the U.S. stretch of the NEW_ Tour rolls across the country, LA is an undeniable highlight — a diverse melting pot where SEVENTEEN’s universal appeal shines. JOSHUA sums it up: “My hope is that everyone attending our concert will simply enjoy and have fun with us. It’s been a year since our last LA shows, so I can’t wait to create wonderful memories with our members, enjoy delicious food, and fully immerse ourselves in the city once more.”
Between the show and THE CITY’s expanded playbook, you’ve got a month with the SEVENTEEN that blurs the line between stage and street. Grab your lightstick, a themed boba, and dive in — all of LA is a part of the show.
Follow SEVENTEEN on Instagram @saythename_17. For information and tickets to the NEW_ tour, visit seventeennewtourus.com.
SEVENTEEN on the October 17, 2025 cover of LA Weekly (Photo courtesy of PLEDIS Entertainment; cover design: Mark Stefanos)