Seventeenth Heaven Explained

Seventeenth Heaven
Type:EP
Artist:Seventeen
Cover:Seventeen - Seventeenth Heaven.png
Caption:A.M. 5:26 version and digital cover
Genre:K-pop
Length:26:45
Label:Pledis
Prev Title:Always Yours
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:17 Is Right Here
Next Year:2024

Seventeenth Heaven is the eleventh extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band Seventeen, released on October 23, 2023, by Pledis Entertainment through YG Plus, five months following the release of FML (2023). Produced by Woozi and Bumzu, the eight-track EP is a primarily upbeat record, serving as a celebration of the band's career thus far. It is led by the single "God of Music", and includes a collaboration with the American producer Marshmello titled "SOS".

Commercially, the EP became the most pre-ordered release in South Korean history, with 5.20 million pre-orders.

Background

On April 24, 2023, Seventeen released their tenth EP, FML, which became the second most pre-ordered release in South Korean history prior to its release.[1] Due to their busy schedules, the band began preparations for their next mini album, Seventeenth Heaven, while promoting FML.[2]

Amid promotions for FML, member Seungkwan went on hiatus for medical reasons, though he pledged to resume activities in time for their next release.[3] In support of the EP, the band embarked on the Follow Tour, starting at the Tokyo Dome on September 8.[4]

Music and lyrics

Seventeenth Heaven comprises eight tracks and has a runtime of 26 minutes and 45 seconds. Woozi and Bumzu spearheaded the production of the EP, while members S.Coups, Mingyu, Vernon, Wonwoo and Hoshi participated in writing the tracks for the release.[5] American DJ and producer Marshmello served as a producer to the opening track "SOS".[6]

Contrasting with its predecessor FML, the EP expresses an unabashed, joyous celebration of the band's career. Several songs in the release have been described by Billboard as having an "upbeat production".[7]

Songs

The EP opens with the English-language track "SOS", which exhibits "hints of rock" and Jersey club influences.[8] [9] The upbeat soul funk track, "God of Music", serves as the release's lead single, which has been described as being "colorful sounding".[10] "Diamond Days" samples "Shining Diamond" from their debut EP 17 Carat (2015). As is with previous releases, the EP features three "unit" songs. "Back 2 Back" is an EDM track performed by the group's performance unit laced with a retro, video game theme. "Monster" is performed by the group's hip-hop unit. The piano-led ballad "Yawn" is performed by the group's vocal unit.[11] The EP closes with the track "Headliner", which serves as a song of gratitude to the band's following.[12]

Release and promotion

The group announced the release on their social media on September 18, 2023, and made it available for preorder two days later.[13] An accompanying teaser clip shows a red festival wristband with the album title and release date.[14] On October 16, Seventeen revealed the tracklist for the record. However, on October 19, Pledis Entertainment announced that leader S.Coups would refrain from participating in the promotions for the EP, focusing on his recovery following a knee injury; as a result, his appearance in the "God of Music" music video was filmed separately from the other members.[15] [16]

In the run-up to the EP's release, Seventeen organized pop-up street events throughout South Korea. For the events, the band collaborated with local restaurants and installed "art walls" with works inspired by the band.[17] The group also released a series of trailers titled "SVT Right Here" featuring footage of Seoul, Tokyo, Paris, New York City, and Beijing shrouded in balloons resembling chamomile flowers, hinting the centers of promotion for the album.[18] However, a teaser for the album depicting the Great Wall of China drew flak from Chinese audiences, citing cultural insensitivity, resulting in its removal and an apology from the agency.[19] [20]

Title and artwork

The EP's title is derived from the English term "seventh heaven," which is defined as "the state of extreme joy".[21] The physical version of the EP was released in three different variants: the AM 5:26 version depicts the start of an imaginative festival at dawn; the PM 2:14 version sees the festival in full swing; and the PM 10:23 version presents the festival finale.[22] Each version constitutes a unique design and includes posters, lyric books and picture cards.[23]

Follow Tour

In promotion of the album, the group added shows to their Follow Tour, with shows to be staged in Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Macao, extending the tour's run to January 2024.[24]

Critical reception

In a mixed review, NME critic Abby Webster noted that while the EP had the potential to match their previous works, the vocal processing set a "firm ceiling for the mini-album's greatness". However, Webster complimented the EP for continuing to "to flex their consistency and creativity as a collective".[25] Maria Sherman from The Associated Press praised the album for involving Seventeen members in its composition and lyrics, describing it as "a release that feels remarkably true to them: a celebration of their success, and the motivation to push harder in the future".[26]

Accolades

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryResult
Circle Chart Music Awards2024Artist of the Year – Album[27]

Commercial performance

By October 12, Seventeenth Heaven had amassed 4.67 million stock pre-orders, surpassing the record of 4.64 million pre-orders with their previous album FML.[28] It became the most pre-ordered release in history, with 5.20 million pre-orders, breaking the record of 5.13 million set in May 2023 by Stray Kids' 5-Star.[29] [30]

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)'s Global Music Report for 2023, Seventeenth Heaven was the fourth most-consumed album across all formats, and the eighth best-selling album worldwide, having sold 4.5 million units.[31] [32]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023 - 2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian International Albums (HDU)[33] 38
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[34] 1
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[35] 1
South Korean Albums (Circle)[36] 1

Monthly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[37] 1
South Korean Albums (Circle)[38] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
Global Albums (IFPI)8
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[39] 7
Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)[40] 7
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[41] 7
South Korean Albums (Circle)[42] 3

Release history

Region! Date! Format! Label
Various

Notes and References

  1. Web site: "별난 놈" 스트레이 키즈, 'K팝 최고' 선주문 513만 장 증명할 '특' (쥬크박스)[종합]]. "Weird Guy" Stray Kids, 'Special' to prove 5.13 million pre-orders for 'K-Pop Best'. Xports News. ko. Lee. Seul. June 2, 2023. June 3, 2023. June 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602093403/https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1730997. live.
  2. Web site: SEVENTEEN Members Joshua, Mingyu, Vernon & Dino Chat Seventeenth Heaven, Variety Shows, & Hopes for 2024. Teen Vogue. en. Delgado. Sara. October 23, 2023. April 26, 2024. October 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030124139/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/seventeen-seventeenth-heaven-interview-october-2023. live.
  3. Web site: Seventeen's Seungkwan to resume activities, join band's album release. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. en. Cho. Yong-jun. August 17, 2023. October 25, 2023.
  4. Web site: Seventeen kicks off Japanese tour at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. en. Yong-jun. Cho. September 8, 2023. October 25, 2023.
  5. Web site: 'Seventeenth Heaven' logs record-high 5.2m preorder sales. The Korea Herald. en. Ji-won. Choi. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  6. Web site: Seventeen unveils Seventeenth Heaven tracklist: Surprise collaboration with Marshmello. Pinkvilla. Chakraborty. Moumita. October 15, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  7. Seventeen Announces 11th Mini Album Seventeenth Heaven: Here's When It Arrives. Billboard. Bowenbank. Starr. September 19, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  8. Web site: Joshua, Mingyu, Vernon, and Dino Recap SVT's Wild Year. Teen Vogue. en-US. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  9. Web site: K-pop group SEVENTEEN find nirvana on new mini-album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN'. Toronto Star. Associated Press. en. Maria Sherman. October 24, 2023. October 25, 2023.
  10. Web site: SEVENTEEN God of Music MV: All 13 Members Awaken the Perfect Summer Spark in This Fun-Loving Title Track Leisurebyte. www.leisurebyte.com. en-US. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  11. Web site: Joshua, Mingyu, Vernon, and Dino Recap SVT's Wild Year. Teen Vogue. en-US. October 23, 2023. October 25, 2023.
  12. SEVENTEEN Returns With 11th Mini Album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN': Stream It Here. Billboard. en-US. Bowenbank. Starr. October 23, 2023. October 24, 2023.
  13. Web site: Seventeen to release 11th mini album Seventeenth Heaven in October. GMA Network. September 20, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  14. Web site: Here's when Seventeen will release Seventeenth Heaven. NME. Ziwei. Puah. September 20, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  15. Web site: SEVENTEEN's S.Coups won't participate in promotions for 'Seventeeth Heaven'. NME. en-GB. Chin. Carmen. October 20, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  16. Web site: S.Coups of Seventeen goes on break after hurting knee. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. en. Yoon. So-yeon. August 17, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  17. Web site: Seventeen to open its second Seventeen Street pop-up on Oct. 4. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. en. Cho. Yong-jun. September 26, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  18. Web site: [Today's K-pop] Seventeen to hit 5 cities for 11th EP]. The Korea Herald. en. You-mee. Hwang. September 22, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  19. Web site: [FACTCHECK] Kingdom, Seventeen get in trouble for cultural inappropriateness]. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. en. October 17, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  20. Web site: [Today's K-pop] Seventeen takes down teaser for 11th EP]. The Korea Herald. en. You-mee. Hwang. September 25, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  21. Web site: K-pop group Seventeen wants to bring joy to fans through 'Seventeenth Heaven'. ABS-CBN News. Bernardo. Jaehwa. October 23, 2023.
  22. Web site: Seventeen to Release 11th Mini Album Seventeenth Heaven in October. BroadwayWorld. Major. Michael. September 19, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  23. Web site: Seventeen to release 11th mini album Seventeenth Heaven, fans overjoyed. Pinkvilla. Sinha. Sujita. October 15, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  24. Web site: Seventeen to drop new album Seventeenth Heaven on Oct 23. The Star. September 24, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  25. Web site: SEVENTEEN – 'Seventeenth Heaven' review: an exuberant, celebratory festival. NME. en-GB. Webster. Abby. October 27, 2023. October 28, 2023.
  26. Web site: Music Review: K-pop group SEVENTEEN find nirvana on new mini-album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN'. AP News. en. Sherman. Maria. October 24, 2023. November 14, 2023.
  27. Web site: ko:NCT 드림, '2023 써클차트' 디지털 앨범상...올해의 가수상은 20팀(종합). NCT Dream won the '2023 Circle Chart' Digital Album Award... Singer of the Year Award goes to 20 teams (Comprehensive). https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=009&aid=0005242871. Naver. Maeil Gyeongje. ko. Lee. Da-gyeom. January 10, 2024. January 10, 2024.
  28. Web site: Seventeen shatters personal pre-order record with Seventeenth Heaven. The Times of India. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023.
  29. Web site: 세븐틴, 신보 선주문량 520만장 돌파...K-팝 역대 최고 기록 [공식]]. 마이데일리. ko. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231023025607/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/117/0003781562. live.
  30. News: 스트레이 키즈 정규 3집, 선주문 493만장...K팝 역대 최다. Stray Kids 3rd Studio Album, 4.93 Million Pre-Orders... K-Pop All-Time High. Yonhap News Agency. ko. Im. Ji-woo. May 30, 2023. May 30, 2023.
  31. Seventeen's FML announced by IFPI as biggest-selling Global Album of the Year. . February 27, 2024. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20240227151009/https://www.ifpi.org/seventeens-fml-announced-by-ifpi-as-biggest-selling-global-album-of-the-year/. February 27, 2024. live. April 2, 2024.
  32. Taylor Swift, Seventeen and Morgan Wallen top IFPI Global Album Charts. . March 28, 2024. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20240328105657/https://www.ifpi.org/taylor-swift-seventeen-and-morgan-wallen-top-ifpi-global-album-charts/. March 28, 2024. live. April 2, 2024.
  33. Web site: Lista prodaje 31. tjedan 2024.. July 22, 2024. . hr. August 7, 2024. August 7, 2024. https://archive.today/20240807154356/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-31-tjedan-2024/. live.
  34. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-11-06. Oricon. ja. November 3, 2023. November 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231103042725/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2023-11-06/.
  35. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of November 1, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. November 1, 2023.
  36. Web site: Circle Album Chart – Week 43, 2023. Circle Chart. ko. November 3, 2023.
  37. Web site: Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-10. Oricon. ja. November 8, 2023. November 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231108035959/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-10/.
  38. Web site: Circle Album Chart – October 2023. Circle Chart. ko. November 9, 2023.
  39. Web site: ja:【オリコン年間ランキング2023】King & Prince、「シングル」「アルバム」ともにミリオン達成で「音楽」3ジャンルで首位 YOASOBI「アイドル」が３冠. https://www.oricon.co.jp/special/66026/3/. Oricon. 3. ja. December 20, 2023. December 19, 2023. December 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220012310/https://www.oricon.co.jp/special/66026/3/. live.
  40. Web site: ja:【オリコン年間ランキング2023】King & Prince、「シングル」「アルバム」ともにミリオン達成で「音楽」3ジャンルで首位 YOASOBI「アイドル」が３冠. https://www.oricon.co.jp/special/66026/8/. Oricon. 8. ja. December 20, 2023. December 19, 2023. December 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220013018/https://www.oricon.co.jp/special/66026/8/. live.
  41. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums Year-End 2023. Billboard Japan. December 24, 2023.
  42. Web site: Album Chart 2023. Circle Chart. January 12, 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Seventeenth Heaven".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.