On May 26, SEVENTEEN made a thunderous return with their 5th full-length album, ‘HAPPY BURSTDAY’. The album, a celebration of the group’s 10th debut anniversary, features 16 tracks, including three full-group songs and solo tracks by all 13 members.
‘THUNDER’, an EDM-based dance-pop song, serves as the album’s title track and delivers powerful, addictive energy. The music video showcases the members gathering at the ‘BLITZ CLUB‘, a space reserved for those who have embraced their inner “daredevil.” Much like the album’s theme, the MV captures the members celebrating a rebirth party as they lean into their adventurous sides. With eye-catching styling and bold, experimental visuals, their dynamic energy bursts through the screen.
According to their agency, PLEDIS Entertainment, the ‘BLITZ CLUB‘ symbolizes SEVENTEEN’s determination to connect with their fans and share positivity amidst challenges.
Expanding on the title track, the group’s producer and vocal team leader Woozi shared, “After making albums for ten years, I wondered, ‘Am I running out of steam?‘ But the heavens didn’t abandon me. Inspiration struck like lightning, and that’s how this song was born.”
Other group songs on the album include ‘HBD‘, a fast-paced rock song, and ‘Bad Influence (Prod. by Pharrell Williams)’, written, composed, and produced by the American singer-songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams. Meanwhile, the solo tracks include ‘Skyfall’ (THE8 solo), ‘Fortunate Change’ (Joshua solo), ‘99.9%’ (Wonwoo solo), ‘Raindrops’ (Seungkwan solo), ‘Damage (feat. Timbaland)’ (Hoshi solo), ‘Shake It Off’ (Mingyu solo), ‘Happy Virus’ (DK solo), ‘Destiny’ (Woozi solo), ‘Shining Star’ (Vernon solo), ‘Gemini’ (Jun solo), ‘Trigger’ (Dino solo), ‘Coincidence’ (Jeonghan solo), and ‘Jungle’ (S.Coups solo).
The group also made history with ‘B-DAY PARTY: BURST STAGE @ Jamsu Bridge’ on May 25, becoming the first K-pop act to perform solo at this iconic Seoul location. The pre-release event featured a stunning live performance of ‘THUNDER’, set against a dazzling backdrop of fireworks and water effects.
SEVENTEEN also hosted the immersive ‘B-DAY PARTY’ festival from May 23 to 25 at Some Sevit near Banpo Hangang Park. With interactive booths, exhibitions, and exclusive merch, the large-scale event allowed fans to celebrate and relive the group’s decade-long journey.
SEVENTEEN has carved a unique path in the K-pop industry. What began as a rookie self-producing group has evolved into a powerhouse act setting unprecedented records, including over 10 million albums sold annually and the highest first-week sales in K-pop history with their 10th EP ‘FML’ in 2023. Now, with ‘HAPPY BURSTDAY’, they not only reflect on a decade of growth but also boldly step into the future, solidifying their legacy as pioneers in the global K-pop scene.
Watch the MV of ‘THUNDER’ here:
Written by: Shrutha Keerthi. E
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