Seventeen are kicking off their 11th year as a group with another long-awaited sub-unit, this time giving the spotlight to the powerhouse vocals of DK and Seungkwan. The chemistry between the two members is already well known to fans, thanks to their roles in the group’s beloved subunit BSS, where they’re joined by Hoshi. In addition to being Seventeen’s main vocalists, they are often the ones cracking jokes and bringing light-hearted energy on and off the stage. On the heels of the last duo, S.Coups and Mingyu’s CxM (in which both members are part of Seventeen’s hip-hop unit), comes DxS, a pairing of the main vocalists that highlights a different genre and sound, showcasing just how versatile Seventeen is.
The duo’s mini-album, out now, features six tracks, including two solo songs individually contributed by each member. The lead single, “Blue,” which both members cite as their favorite from this project, comes with a music video that features actors Yoo-mi Lee and Steve Sanghyun Noh (of Squid Game and Pachinko respectively) and a storyline that demonstrates the complexities of falling out of love. The two members’ voices complement each other throughout the album, which ranges from pop-rock to ballad to R&B.
In an exclusive conversation with Rolling Stone a week before the release of Serenade, DK and Seungkwan open up about just how personal this project is for both them and how they stayed on the same wavelength as they crafted a tracklist that can meet fans wherever they are to laugh, cry, and feel alongside them.
There are now a handful of sub-units within Seventeen. What to you makes DxS unique and different?
DK: Since we are both the main vocalists, we wanted to place even more focus on the musical elements of the album. We paid a lot of attention to the vocal aspects where we could really show new sides of ourselves, so I think that will feel especially fresh for Carats [Seventeen’s fans].
What was it like recording and preparing as just a duo? How was it different from when you work on Seventeen’s music?
Seungkwan: It can be challenging for us to focus only on ourselves during our wider group activities, so this unit album really allowed us to concentrate on each other and communicate more deeply. We worked towards the goal of capturing the mood and sentiment that only the two of us share by putting a lot of care into expressing the emotions honestly.
You are often the members who are cracking jokes and lifting the mood. Were there any fun anecdotes you recall from the production process?
DK: When we were listening to a lot of different demos in the earlier stages, we decided to share which songs we each like, and then come together to make choices. I was genuinely surprised by the abundance of great songs — there were way more than we had expected. While going through the music, there were songs that made me think, “Seungkwan would like this one” — and those turned out to be exactly the songs he loved. It made me realize how long we’ve worked together as a team and how we’ve come to understand each other’s musical tastes so well.
I’m curious to know if there’s anything new you’ve learned about each other while spending one-on-one time to prepare this mini-album.
DK: From the very beginning — from choosing the tracks to crafting our solo songs — we had so many conversations, and I realized just how many similarities and differences we share musically. Both our common ground and our differences in opinion became the foundation that helped shape the album with greater depth and layers. I think that process allowed us to lean on each other even more and become closer.
Seungkwan: We talked about everything, from the production process to the lyrics and the emotions we wanted to express through this album. Through all of that, I was deeply moved by how sincerely DK listens and how considerate he is. [Smiles.] It wasn’t something entirely new, but it definitely made me feel grateful for him once again. Because we both wanted the album to turn out well, we leaned on each other a lot during the process.
That being said, how would you describe the chemistry between you two?
DK: We’re actually the duo that tears up pretty easily. When one of us starts crying, the other usually follows, and it makes me feel like we’re emotionally in sync.
Seungkwan: That makes our vibes match well. Because we’re both so sentimental, we’ll somehow end up in tears while talking. [Laughs.] Our sense of humor is similar as well, so there’s also a lot of moments when we burst out laughing together.
You both contributed to some of the songs in this project. Are there any specific lyrics that really resonate with you?
DK: Seungkwan and I came up with the line, “The petals that bloom on my way to see you are telling me it’s love,” in “Prelude of Love,” and when we were writing that part, I remember having a smile on my face while imagining the fluttering feeling of love. I really liked how naturally it blended with the atmosphere of the song and how it expressed that sense of excitement.
Seungkwan: In the intro part of “Dream Serenade,” there’s a line I wrote: “Countless goodbyes we exchanged in the same dream/When I open my eyes, all the beautiful days quietly come back to me.” The song itself feels very dreamlike and ethereal, so I wanted the word “dream” to carry two meanings — a dream that you can have while sleeping and also a dream as in a hope or goal. I hope Carats will also try interpreting the line in those two different ways and feel how the layered meanings can come through when listening.
Are there any duos or ballad singers that you drew inspiration from while preparing this mini-album?
DK: Rather than trying to model ourselves after any specific duos, we focused on asking ourselves how we could show our unique colors more clearly, and how we can make fans and the general public feel the distinction between this DxS and Seventeen… That was something we were very mindful of throughout the entire creative process.
I ask because you recently released a cover of “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. How did you choose to do that song?
Seungkwan: We prepared that cover hoping to showcase to a wider audience how our vocals harmonize and complement each other. While talking about what songs we had been listening to recently, “Die With a Smile” really stood out as one we had both been playing on repeat.
If you had to choose two other Seventeen members to cover songs from this album, who would they be and why? I asked this question to CxM and they said they wanted to hear your vocals on their album.
DK: Oh, that’s surprising! [Laughs.] I actually think that it would be really interesting if Wonwoo and Dino tried doing a cover together. They both have excellent vocals and very solid tones, so I think they could deliver a unique and refreshing interpretation.
Speaking of your fellow members, have they listened to the music yet? What were some reactions that you remember?
DK: I wanted to share the music with them when all 13 of us were together, so we played it for them recently at our monthly gathering. The members all listened so attentively and offered such warm feedback and encouragement, which made me feel incredibly grateful. It was one of those moments that reminded me how reassuring it is to have the members by our side.
Do you have a favorite song from this project?
DK: I really love “Blue.” It truly stands out as the track that highlights the our vocal synergy. The overall vibe resonates deeply with the cozy atmosphere of winter, making it the perfect choice for this season.
Seungkwan: “Blue” also holds a special place in my heart. It was the very first song that both DK and I immediately selected for the album, and I feel the deepest attachment to it.
And what do you think your fans will like most from the album?
Seungkwan: I really believe we’ll be able to showcase a broader and more diverse spectrum of our vocals than we have previously revealed. Also, more than anything, I believe it’s an album that truly captures our own moods and sentiment. In line with the theme of Serenade, I hope they can listen to it comfortably in the evening after a long day and experience a quiet moment of healing. With the album carrying so much of our sincerity and heart, I really can’t wait for Carats to fall in love with it.
