{"id":5761,"date":"2025-10-08T00:39:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T00:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/seventeen-s-coups-x-mingyu-interview-hype-vibes-album-1236083999\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T00:39:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T00:39:33","slug":"seventeen-s-coups-x-mingyu-interview-hype-vibes-album-1236083999","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musictechohio.online\/site\/seventeen-s-coups-x-mingyu-interview-hype-vibes-album-1236083999\/","title":{"rendered":"SEVENTEEN\u2019s S.Coups x Mingyu Talk \u2018HYPE VIBES\u2019 Mini Album: \u2018This Is an Album That\u2019s Truly\u00a0Us\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tSEVENTEEN<\/a> is now one of K-pop\u2019s most successful groups. During their trainee days, the 13 members trained together in a cramped studio \u2014 sometimes clashing, sometimes supporting one another \u2014 before finally debuting as a unified team in May 2015. To ensure that each member\u2019s individual charm could shine, they adopted a distinctive three-unit structure: the Vocal Team (Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, Seungkwan), the Hip-Hop Team (S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), and the Performance Team (Hoshi, Jun, The8, Dino).\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tOf course, what always came first was SEVENTEEN\u2019s teamwork as 13 members. But it\u2019s undeniable that the Performance Team, in charge of the group\u2019s choreography and stage presence, the Vocal Team, led by producer Woozi and carrying the melodies of SEVENTEEN\u2019s songs, and the Hip-Hop Team, adding a free-spirited vibe, are what make SEVENTEEN such a dynamic group.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tSEVENTEEN have also pursued notable unit projects. The three-member unit BSS released two single albums, while Hoshi X Woozi \u2014 leaders of the Performance and Vocal Teams \u2014 dropped their first single album BEAM<\/em> earlier this year and successfully wrapped up a fan concert tour. On Sept. 29, the Hip-Hop Team\u2019s S.Coups and Mingyu launched their new unit, CxM, injecting a fresh burst of energy into the group\u2019s evolving story.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe whole process of making this album itself was truly enjoyable. Rather than trying to dress it up, our strongest intention was to honestly capture the kind of music the two of us could create together,\u201d said S.Coups. Mingyu added, \u201cS.Coups and I are alike in that we both want to share our tastes in a straightforward and natural way. That side of us naturally came through in this album as well.\u201d With both two in complete agreement on wanting to present themselves as they are\u2014without embellishment\u2014their first mini album HYPE VIBES<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong><\/a>comes packed with six tracks that reflect their unfiltered chemistry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tFeaturing Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter Lay Bankz <\/a>\u00a0on the title track \u201c5, 4, 3 (Pretty woman) (feat. Lay Bankz),\u201d<\/strong> which interpolates Roy Orbison\u2019s vintage pop classic \u201cOh, Pretty Woman,\u201d comes as no surprise. SEVENTEEN have previously collaborated with a diverse roster of global artists, including Pink Sweat$, DJ Khaled, Anne-Marie, and Pharrell Williams, demonstrating their comfort with crossing international boundaries. Mingyu adds, \u201cIt wasn\u2019t about targeting overseas listeners. We simply wanted to create music that everyone could enjoy, without language barriers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSince breaking onto the Billboard 200<\/a> for the first time with their eighth mini album Your Choice <\/em>in 2021, SEVENTEEN have continued to rack up milestones. In 2024, they were honored with the Top K-pop Touring Artist award at the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), and their 10th-anniversary release HAPPY BURSTDAY<\/em>, dropped in May, spent three consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200. Their 10th mini album, FML<\/em>, released in 2023, sold a staggering 6.2 million copies, making it the year\u2019s best-selling album in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tHaving effortlessly filled stadiums in both South Korea and Japan and captured fans across Asia and North America, SEVENTEEN also made their mark in Europe last year, performing on the main stages at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK and Lollapalooza Berlin. With achievements like these, one can\u2019t help but wonder: is there anywhere left for SEVENTEEN to go but up?<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cBeyond the enjoyment of the creative process, our desire to keep moving forward and growing as SEVENTEEN remains strong,\u201d S.Coups explains. \u201cI believe this CxM activity is very much an extension of the group\u2019s journey\u2014one that adds even more color and musical depth to SEVENTEEN\u2019s spectrum.\u201d If his words are any indication, it\u2019s clear the duo has no intention of slowing down. But right now, it\u2019s the perfect moment to turn up the music and dance\u2014and HYPE VIBES<\/em> is exactly that kind of album.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"S.Coups<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>

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\t\t\t\t\tS.Coups & Mingyu<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Pledis<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\n\t\tS.COUPS<\/strong>\t<\/h2>\n

\n\tOn September 29, you and Mingyu released the first mini album, <\/strong>HYPE VIBES<\/em><\/strong>. As a member of SEVENTEEN, you\u2019ve showcased various combinations before but this is your first time officially releasing a full-fledged album as a duo. What kind of synergy do you think you and Mingyu can best bring out together?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tNot only do Mingyu and I click musically, but we also share similar tastes in style, fitness, and other areas, so we often talked about trying a unit together someday. Eventually, the timing lined up, and we were able to dive into this project in earnest. Since this album was created based on our own musical preferences, with songs carefully selected to fit the overall flow, we feel a deep attachment to it. We truly hope many people can feel and enjoy the same \u2018VIBE\u2019 that we do.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe album includes a total of six tracks, with BUMZU\u2014who has been with SEVENTEEN since debut\u2014also participating in the production. Which track was the easiest to work on or the biggest challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s hard to make that comparison since each song carries its own memories. But if I had to choose the one that feels the most meaningful to me personally, it would definitely be the title track, \u201c5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman) (feat. Lay Bankz)\u201d.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe inspiration behind \u201c5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman) (feat. Lay Bankz)\u201d traces back to Roy Orbison\u2019s 1964 classic \u201cOh, Pretty Woman\u201d. With two members of SEVENTEEN\u2019s hip-hop unit taking on a rock \u2019n\u2019 roll track, it naturally shifts the expectations for the entire album. How did you make the decision?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tWe wanted to create a song that anyone could enjoy across generations, so after much thought, we chose this approach. We pictured today\u2019s generation reinterpreting the music our parents loved. In the end, we\u2019re really satisfied\u2014it feels like a vintage pop song perfectly mixed with our own energy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tThe album title <\/strong>HYPE VIBES<\/em><\/strong> brings to mind the bright, refreshing energy you\u2019ve shown before with unit projects like \u201cCheck-In\u201d and \u201cWhat\u2019s Good.\u201d What\u2019s your personal \u2018VIBE\u2019 like these days?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tMaking this album was such an enjoyable process, and I really wanted to share that feeling in the most natural way. We didn\u2019t try to overdo anything\u2014we just focused on being honest and making music that truly reflects the two of us for now. At the same time, I still have the same drive to keep growing as part of SEVENTEEN. For me, this unit activity feels like another step in expanding SEVENTEEN\u2019s colors and showing an even wider range of music.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tOne of the tracks, \u201cYoung Again,\u201d feels especially sentimental just from the title. For you, S.Coups, what\u2019s something you never want to lose no matter how much time passes?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tYouth. People often think of youth as a certain stage in life. But after spending my entire twenties as part of SEVENTEEN, I\u2019ve come to realize that youth isn\u2019t about age. As long as you enjoy each moment freely and wholeheartedly\u2014even the ones that will never come back\u2014you can carry that sense of youth into your forties, fifties, and beyond. And of course, I\u2019d want to keep sharing that with the SEVENTEEN members too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tFor SEVENTEEN\u2019s 10th anniversary, you released your first solo track \u201cJungle (S.COUPS Solo)\u201d on the album <\/strong>HAPPY BURSTDAY<\/em><\/strong>. Through working on your first solo track, did you discover anything new about yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\t\u00a0I wouldn\u2019t say I discovered something brand-new, but I definitely realized something all over again: \u201cWow, I really love being on stage!\u201d (laughs) While working on the song, I kept catching myself thinking about how I could bring it to life on stage\u2014how I could show my truest self up there. When I finally performed it for the first time at a concert, I felt so happy and proud because the performance turned out just the way I had imagined it.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe first live performance of \u201cJungle (S.COUPS Solo)\u201d took place on September 13 and 14 during the SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_], in front of tens of thousands of fans. The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. This was also SEVENTEEN\u2019s first concert stage with just the nine members performing together, without those currently serving or about to enlist. What was that experience like?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tPerforming as nine on such a massive stage, and showing \u201cJungle (S.COUPS Solo)\u201d for the first time, of course came with its pressures. But that nervousness only lasts until we start preparing. Once we\u2019re on stage, the fans\u2019 energy lifts us naturally\u2014it moves us to perform our best. Every time we release a new album or take on a new challenge, I feel that same determination to give back the love and warmth we share with our fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tIf the alien creatures Kuute and Mante, who appeared in the album trailer came to Seoul, what\u2019s the first place you\u2019d want to show them?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tIt doesn\u2019t have to be Seoul, actually\u2014it would have to be a SEVENTEEN concert! Kuute and Mante are friends who recharge their energy through music and interaction, and the concert stage is the perfect place where all of that comes to life.<\/p>\n

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