(Photo courtesy of PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT)

[Hanteo News = Reporter KIM YEONWOO] Music takes on a different color when all 13 members perform together than when just two take the stage, even within the same group. SEVENTEEN has showcased its members’ individuality through various units, including its Vocal, Hip-Hop, and Performance Teams, as well as BSS, SEVENTEEN LEADERS, and JEONGHAN X WONWOO. This time, JEONGHAN and JOSHUA have teamed up. The musical direction they have chosen puts vocals and a dreamy atmosphere at the forefront, rather than playful energy or powerful performances.

 

JEONGHAN X JOSHUA’s 1st mini album ‘DREAMSCAPE,’ released on the 19th, sold 656,011 copies on its first day, topping Hanteo Chart’s daily Album Chart. Beyond the impressive sales figures, what also deserves attention is the musical synergy the two members have created.

 


SEVENTEEN’s Unit Formula: A Different Charm With Every Combination

SEVENTEEN has showcased different charms depending on the combination of members. BSS emphasized playful energy through songs such as ‘Fighting,’ while HOSHI and WOOZI delivered powerful sounds and performances with ‘BEAM.’ JEONGHAN and WONWOO also highlighted a noir-inspired atmosphere and storytelling in ‘THIS MAN.’ In this way, the units have expanded SEVENTEEN’s musical spectrum by bringing each member’s individuality to the forefront.

JEONGHAN X JOSHUA explored a new direction centered on vocals. In an interview with TIME Korea, JEONGHAN revealed that he challenged himself to produce a fuller vocal sound than usual, while JOSHUA explained that he studied his own vocal expression during recording to convey a more mature and distinctive feel. Rather than remaining within their familiar vocal styles, the two explored new ways of expressing themselves.



‘DREAMSCAPE’: A Journey Through Dreams Brought to Life by Two Voices

 

‘DREAMSCAPE’ explores two meanings of dreams across seven tracks: fantasies within the subconscious and aspirations one hopes to realize in the real world. The title track ‘12 o’clock’ is a dance-rock song that offers a modern reinterpretation of disco and funk from the 1970s and 1980s.

The B-side tracks also span a variety of genres. The house-based ‘Like You,’ R&B track ‘One Plus One,’ and ‘Outside,’ featuring laid-back electric piano melodies, each create a distinct atmosphere. JOSHUA’s solo track ‘Not Personal’ and JEONGHAN’s solo track ‘Coloring’ reveal their individual musical tastes.

The music video further expands the album’s dreamlike atmosphere through surreal imagery, including a distorted train carriage, seemingly endless rooms, and an imaginary creature combining elements of a peacock and an ouroboros.

 


How JEONGHAN X JOSHUA Expands SEVENTEEN’s Musical Horizons

 

JEONGHAN X JOSHUA will appear on various music shows, beginning with Mnet’s ‘M Countdown’ on the 22nd. The duo is also scheduled to hold its solo concert tour ‘JEONGHAN X JOSHUA JOURNEY INTO [DREAMING]’ across six cities in Korea and overseas. The opening concerts, scheduled for October 30 through November 1 at INSPIRE Arena in Incheon, sold out on the first day of fan club membership presales.

This album is meaningful in that JEONGHAN and JOSHUA have ventured beyond their familiar vocal styles to explore new genres and forms of expression. However, experimenting with different sounds does not necessarily mean they have established a musical identity unique to the duo. Whether the dreamy concept and disco-based sound can develop into a cohesive musical identity remains a challenge for the future.

If SEVENTEEN’s unit activities are a process of discovering new sides of its members, the next step for JEONGHAN X JOSHUA is to turn those discoveries into a distinctive sound of their own. Attention now turns to whether this album will simply showcase new possibilities or serve as the starting point for a musical direction uniquely their own.


yeonwoo38@hanteo.com