Music

The 13 members of Seventeen have been shuffling through new pairings and sub-units beyond their official units of vocal, hip-hop, and performance over the past year, starting with Jeonghan and Wonwoo’s JxW and Hoshi and Woozi’s HxW. (And of course we can’t forget the beloved BSS, with DK, Hoshi, and Seungkwan, who debuted a few years earlier.) Now, get ready to meet the latest Seventeen spin-off: Leader S.Coups and Mingyu’s CxM, who have a new mini-album called HYPE VIBES.

The way the members of Seventeen are so close-knit and truly like brothers is something their fans, known as Carats, adore. With each unit that the group reveals, they’re unveiling a deeper look at the chemistry and synergy between the members.

S.Coups and Mingyu are both part of Seventeen’s hip-hop unit, so they’ve always been close collaborators, but CxM takes them to the next level as a duo. At the time of their chat with Rolling Stone, we’re still over two weeks out from the mini-album’s Sept. 29 release. The two members have been building up anticipation by teasing photos from a shoot in Hawaii, which they say they approached with the goal of making the photos feel truly raw.

There’s been a handful of sub-units within Seventeen at this point. How would you describe CxM? What makes this unit feel like you?
S.Coups: [Laughs.] I feel like if I say the wrong thing, it’ll sound like I’m saying something about the other units. But I think we put in a variety of genres into the album. And compared to the other units, rather than a put-together look, we aimed to be more effortless, thinking there could be a type of coolness that comes from being natural. 

Mingyu: It might not be right to say we were “not flashy,” but I think that encapsulates how we tried to be more comfortable and natural? This is a hard question.

S.Coups: It is hard. [Laughs.] I don’t want to put down the other units.

Mingyu: If we say “Our songs are chill and cool!” it may end up sounding like we’re saying the other members’ weren’t. [Laughs.]

You can all be cool, though! You went to Hawaii to do your shoot for this mini-album– I heard that the collective goal for these photos was for it to feel like a trip with close friends. Can you share any fun stories from the shoots? 
Mingyu: First off, it was so tiring. Instead of having a set time for the shoot to start and end, like how you said, we were trying to shoot while we’re comfortably hanging out. We shot from the second we opened our eyes in the morning to the moment we went to sleep. Once we were done I was so exhausted. I had so much fun all day, rested, and felt like I was relaxing, but physically it still took a toll on me. It was a hard shoot. We wore a lot of different outfits too.

S.Coups: [Laughs.] I feel the same way. The shoot was certainly less tiring than if it was on a set, and we went into it thinking “We can just take photos of us hanging out.” But compared to any shoot we’ve done for Seventeen, suprisingly, it actually was more exhausting. 

Any specific things that you remember from the trip?
S.Coups: For me, I haven’t travelled internationally much, but Mingyu kept telling me how nice Hawaii is. The nature left a big impression on me. To go somewhere like that with someone I’m so comfortable with — someone like Mingyu, who can guide me to try a variety of experiences…. I really enjoyed surfing. Being able to experience those things and also do a shoot was really great. 

What did you guys listen to while shooting to set the vibes?
Mingyu: When we were in Hawaii for the shoot, the early versions of our music were just starting to come in, guides were coming in, so we listened to the album a lot. Like the super early versions, versions we recorded in Hawaii. We really listened to the music as we were making it.

You’ve been together for many years now, and even though you are already so close, I’m sure you spent a lot of one-on-one time together to prepare for this project. Was there anything you learned about each other that surprised you?
S.Coups: About each other? [Laughs.] Rather than something new, I realized once again that Mingyu’s stamina is even better than what I had thought. During our shoot, we would swim for two to three hours, and I’d be over it, but he’d be swimming at night, too. And he even shot that! Seeing that made me think, “Wow he’s really amazing.” 

He was also really worried about our final product, more than I thought he would be. We had so much fun and did a good job. We selected each and every piece and put the team together. I thought Mingyu would be the type to have the mindset of “Once this is complete, everything will be great,” but he was actually so worried and had a different mindset from when working on Seventeen. 

Mingyu: I didn’t feel anything new from S.Coups. 

S.Coups: [Laughs.]

Mingyu: But I felt it for myself: “I’m really sensitive.” I’m more sensitive that I had thought. Ah, I do have one for S.Coups! He has low stamina.  

S.Coups: [Laughs.] Wait—

Mingyu: Whenever we do anything, in Hawaii or in L.A., he’s suddenly sleeping on the sofa. He’s up one moment and then asleep on the sofa again.  

With jetlag, of course he could be tired!
S.Coups: Mingyu doesn’t even get jetlag. [Laughs.]

Taking a step back outside of CxM, if you had to pick other Seventeen members to cover songs from this mini-album, who would you pick?
Mingyu: It’s gotta be us.

S.Coups: Right. Aside from us… I would say… Ah! [Snaps.] “Young Again.” I’d love to hear our two main vocalists [DK and Seungkwan] singing that song. When we were recording, I thought a lot to myself, “If only I could sing a little bit better…” So I’d love to feel the emotion that would come from those members who are truly good at singing. 

Mingyu: I think Hoshi and Woozi would match “Worth It” well. Because both of them have liked that type of hip-hop sound since they were younger. I think when they hear it, it’ll feel familiar to them and they’d like it.

S.Coups: For “Earth,” I say Myungho [The8’s Korean name]. When I played the six songs for him, he really liked it. It’s in line with the type of music he’s been seeking out recently. It would be cool to see him try that. 

What other reactions did the members have when you played them the music or showed them your content?
Mingyu: To be honest, as of today while we’re doing this interview, a lot of them actually haven’t heard the music. 

S.Coups: Seungkwan hasn’t heard it yet, right? I’m hiding it from them. 

Mingyu: We want to play it for them at the right time in the right atmosphere — not just like, “Hey, do you want to listen?” and play it for them lightly. And the music video is… not completed yet. [Pouts.]

S.Coups: [Laughs.] We’ve only seen parts, too.   

Mingyu: But I am really curious about the members’ reactions. Our fans reactions, reactions from those who are close to us, our peers — I’m so curious, but I’m most curious about our members. While working, since it’s just the two of us working on this mini-album, we’re able to show sides to us that we haven’t before. Things that we haven’t or just didn’t show, how will the public and how will our members react? I’m really so curious.

What do you think the fans will love most about this album?
Mingyu: There are some songs that will have a powerful, strong performance, and there’s also easy listening, but I think one of the charms is that it will be comfortable to listen to from start to finish. 

S.Coups: I think they will appreciate the chemistry between me and Mingyu, and I think it will be shown on stage as well. I think Carats will enjoy seeing that. 

Getting into each track in order, tell us about the first song on the mini-album, “Fiesta”? That’s my favorite song on this project.
S.Coups: “Fiesta” is a track that has the vibe of what those who know us and Carats would expect for CxM to come out with. In the beginning, we were working on it for it to be the lead track. And during the process, we really liked how our raps came out, and I really like the chorus.

Mingyu: And from my memory, a lot from the recording process comes to mind, but we did the guide for “Fiesta” in Hawaii after having some drinks. Usually if you do that, when you listen in the morning, it’s not that good, but it was better than we were expecting when we listened in the morning, so we used lyrics from that night in the song. That was fun. 

What about “5, 4, 3 (Pretty Woman),” where you interpolate Roy Orbison?
S.Coups: We went into each track with the idea that it could be the lead song. We really wanted all six songs to be good. As soon as “5, 4, 3” was made, Mingyu, me, and Bumzu [producer and longtime collaborator of Seventeen], all three of us were like “Oh! This is it!” We knew at once that this would be the lead track. 

Mingyu: We wanted the lead song to be one that anyone could easily listen to, so we interpolated “Oh, Pretty Woman.” The process was not easy, but the results came out to be a good mix of vintage music and our sound, so I think across ages and genders, people can listen and enjoy. 

I remember when I first found out that “Oh, Pretty Woman” would be interpolated, I couldn’t wrap my head around how it would end up sounding, but it came out so well.
Mingyu: You think so? Nice. I was really worried, but I think it came out well. Lay Bankz, who’s featured on the song — we didn’t have the chance to meet her in person but we talked on the phone. It was a little rushed. After we came back from shooting in L.A., we got the OK and it came together quickly. Her feature added a modern twist and edge to our image of the track and Beverly Hills. 

Now going into “Worth It,” which has more of a hip-hop, R&B sound to it.
S.Coups: This song was completed last. We were recording in the studio we normally record in, and I think Mingyu suggested that we finish the song in America, in L.A., because the vibes there would be so different. So when we went to L.A. to film the music video, we rented a studio for a day to complete the song. It’s a song we cherish as the last song to be made. It’s also a good one to dance to. We’re thinking, like, “Should we give it our all and dance to this song one day?”

Mingyu: While “5, 4, 3” is really chill and easy to listen to, this song is more sexy, and hot, and we could really dance when we perform it. 

What are the main differences you notice when recording in L.A. compared to recording in Korea?
Mingyu: I’m curious too. Why is it so different? 

S.Coups: [Laughs.] I think it’s different in that it feels like we’re going for fun and recording. When we record here in the company building or a studio, before we get there, in Korea, the mindset is, “Oh, I have to go into the studio today. I’m going to go record.” Rather than it being a difference between America and Korea, I think we’re there to have fun, and are vibing in a good mood, so it feels like we’re recording while just hanging out.

Mingyu: I’m not sure what the difference is.

Well I know here in L.A., I’m in West Hollywood, and there’s photos of you everywhere. 

S.Coups: CK? [Laughs.]

Mingyu: Yay! Really? Are there a lot? I want to see it too! 

Going into “For You,” I heard you both contributed to the lyrics and composition even more so for this track and the next one.
S.Coups: You’re right. We were going for easy listening, and it’s the song we worked on first. The two of us are friends. And our Carats around the world are also our friends. And anyone you come across via fate, walking past on a street, can become friends too — that’s the message we wanted to deliver. We wanted to make music that you can just listen to comfortably.

Are there any lyrics from “For You” that you particularly like? Or any specific moments you drew inspiration from for this one? 
S.Coups: Mingyu’s part for me. The first verse! [Places his hand on Mingyu’s shoulder.] “Going to the gym…” 

Mingyu: “From one to two…” What was the lyric? What’s your part? How does it end? “One, two—” Ah! [In Korean.] “But 1 to 2, gotta go to the gym…3 to 4 we could meet up, 5 through 9 just tell me when/But the real hot spot opens at 10.”

S.Coups: It just feels like our real lives.

Mingyu: While we were writing, it was like, “What are you doing at 1?” “I think I’m going to work out.” “What are you doing tomorrow at 2?” “I don’t have anything at 2.” “What about for dinner?” “But doesn’t that place open at 10?” It was a conversation like that that became the lyrics.

S.Coups: I think because it reflects our lives, I like it most.

Mingyu: It feels very close to reality. 

When I first heard “Young Again,” it felt very Seventeen to me, with a message of living life to the fullest. Can you walk us through that track?
Mingyu: This song is the type that I normally like most within Seventeen’s discography, the acoustic sounds. I also personally like country music. It has a sound that I’ve always wanted to try. When we did a session in Korea, I shared that I really wanted this type of music. A song that could be at the end of a festival set, or close out a concert, for us to all sing together. The topic is also, because it’s a song I want to do as a performance is ending: “To keep this moment special and to say this moment won’t come back, so stop being on your phone, being distracted, and let’s live in the moment.” That’s the message we wanted to put in the song. It’s a song I personally really like. I don’t know if our fans will notice it right away when we’re performing it, but there’s a line that goes “Right now, put your hands up.” To say “put your phone’s flash on and put your hands up together, and enjoy this moment…” It was fun to actually put that message in the song. 

S.Coups: I think if the fans really do that in the moment during a concert, the message we’re trying to get across will be realized. I’m really looking forward to it.

Mingyu: Also, the song is a little over two minutes, and the first line is “I just need two minutes.” [Laughs.] Give us just two minutes, because we’re about to sing.

Did you purposely cap the song at that length?
S.Coups: [Nods and laughs.] Yes, that’s right. 

Mingyu: It was originally “I just need three minutes.” But we gave it more thought and the song only came to two minutes. Three minutes was a stretch.

There’s a lot of two minute songs these days, so…
S.Coups: There are so many! 

Mingyu: But at a show, I want to sing this one for four to five minutes.

S.Coups: Like on repeat, singing it all together. 

Like “Aju Nice,” never-ending.
S.Coups: [Laughs.]. Right. 

And now moving onto the last song, “Earth.”
S.Coups: “Earth” is a song we worked on in Hawaii. Mingyu, Bumzu, and I were on a yacht and were shooting a scene. I was passed out on the sofa from swimming at night. [Laughs.] I was sleeping, but it’s a song where Mingyu and Bumzu drew inspiration from the moon, nature, and just us being together. And we also wanted an EDM-based song in the album. We put the song together from inspiration from Hawaii after the part where the beat drops was made.  

Mingyu: For this song too, when we first made it in the studio, I liked it so much. Although that is my personal opinion. 

S.Coups: The day we worked on this song, I was at home and Mingyu did some extra work with Bumzu. And I came in the next day to continue working on it, and Mingyu was like, “We made something amazing” and played it for me. And I was like “Wow, this is crazy.” I think we can show a new side of ourselves, and if there ever comes a time where we can perform the six tracks, we put it together the way we’d craft a setlist. I want it to be the double encore.

I know you like all the songs, but if you had to choose your favorite song as of today, what would you choose?
S.Coups: I choose “For You.” I tend to like easy listening, and with “For You,” I have so many good memories from when we were making it, or when we were shooting the track sampler or highlight medley. Hanging out with Mingyu and putting it on in the car, so many fun memories, so it’s been number one in my heart. 

Mingyu: “Young Again” for me. Ah, no, “Fiesta.” I choose “Fiesta” for today. No, for this exact moment.

S.Coups: Just for this little moment? [Laughs.]

What’s your reason? 
Mingyu: Because you said you liked “Fiesta” most.

For my last question, what are you looking forward to most with this CxM unit? 
Mingyu: Honestly, I’m looking forward to performing, and of course meeting our fans, but in addition with all that, like how I said earlier, I want these songs to be part of real moments and memories. I’m eager to see those types of reactions. And I want it to really happen. Like for example, “I was listening to this song on a drive and it was so nice,” “I came out on a picnic with my family and listened to ‘For You’ and it was so nice,” “I went to a club and ‘Fiesta’ was playing.” I think seeing reactions like that will make me feel really proud and like we did a good job. 

S.Coups: I think as much as we put in to make each song a different genre, I hope people can appreciate the variety and really enjoy each one. And my hope is that, long into the future, these songs will remain woven into the people’s lives.