Seventeen Woozi and Hoshi Talk About New Music: ‘Beam’ and ’96ers’

Seventeen has 13 members, which means there are 78 possible pairings within the lineup. The hugely successful K-pop group is made up of three units — vocal, hip-hop, and performance — as well as two formally established sub-units: BSS, consisting of DK, Seungkwan, and Hoshi, as well as JxW, made up of Jeonghan and Wonwoo. (Jeonghan officially began his military service last September, and it was recently announced that Wonwoo will be enlisting in early April.) And as of today, another pairing has emerged: Hoshi x Woozi are officially here with BEAM.

Hoshi x Woozi is a long-awaited duo for fans, as both members are the leaders for their respective units, making this a duo of masterminds. Hoshi is Seventeen’s performance team leader and Woozi is vocal team leader, in addition to having a major hand in writing and or composing the group’s entire discography, serving as main producer with just a few exceptions.

Hoshi and Woozi caught up with Rolling Stone to remember their middle-school days at the start of their friendship and their admiration for one another, along with sharing some exclusive photos from the set of lead single “96ers.”

What makes Hoshi & Woozi such a great duo?
Hoshi: Woozi and I have been close since we were young, and I’ve wanted to do a Hoshi & Woozi unit for a long time. After “Bring It,” getting the chance to create an album for the fans who have supported us made this even more special. I’m excited to finally share it with everyone.

Hoshi, what was your favorite part about working with Woozi on this project?
Hoshi: From our trainee days to now, we’ve always shared a deep passion for music. I’ve always cherished creating and performing with Woozi, and this album feels like a meaningful milestone for us.

What do you admire most about Woozi?
Hoshi: Woozi’s dedication and focus when he commits to something are truly admirable. I deeply respect and constantly learn from his ability to fully immerse himself in a pursuit, along with his sharp judgment when it matters.

And Woozi, what was your favorite part about working with Hoshi on this project? What do you admire most about him?
Woozi: I’m truly grateful for the chance to release an album with one of my closest friends. It makes this project even more special. Hoshi’s passion and determination toward his dreams are unmatched — he’s the most driven person I’ve ever seen.

What does this album mean to you both?
Woozi: The album feels like a true reflection of who we are, almost like a mirror that captures us as we are.

How did you choose these three songs to come together and make BEAM?
Woozi: All three songs came together naturally, flowing from our thoughts without any strained or difficult choices.

Is there anything new you’ve learned about each other while working on BEAM?
Hoshi: This is something I’ve always known myself, but it’s not as well-known to others: While Woozi is widely recognized for his producing, he’s also an incredible dancer. I hope this album highlights that side of him.

Woozi: After so many years together, it’s hard to find something completely new about each other. But through this experience, I found myself rediscovering Hoshi’s true charm and appreciating it all over again.

Did you face any challenges when working on this project?
Hoshi: Balancing this with Seventeen’s activities was tiring at times, but we genuinely enjoyed making the album. More than that, the excitement of creating music we love and knowing our fans had been waiting for it made the entire process incredibly rewarding.

You mentioned “Bring It” earlier. It’s been eight years since you two did that track together. How was it getting together once again as a duo? Are there any duos that you were inspired by when creating the concepts or the music?
Woozi: It’s no exaggeration to say that BIGBANG has had the biggest influence on us. Since we were young, Hoshi and I have admired their performances and achievements, hoping to become a group — or a duo — just as incredible as they are. Those conversations have stayed with us, making this project even more meaningful.

Getting more into the album, I noticed that in “96ers,” the lyrics mention how you met in middle school. Do you have clear memories of your first time meeting? What do you think your middle school selves would think, seeing you release an album together as a unit?
Hoshi: Since our trainee days, we’ve always been side by side. I can only imagine how excited our younger selves would have been to see this moment. In a way, I think seeing where we are now might have even inspired them, just as those early years continue to inspire us today.

Woozi: In some ways, it might have seemed unimaginable back then, but at the same time, it also feels like this was always meant to happen. We’ve had a natural connection from the start, so looking back, it feels like this path was always unfolding for us.

What are some of your favorite memories together?
Hoshi: I believe every moment with Woozi is meaningful in its own way. As I’ve always said, we’ve been by each other’s side for so long and accomplished so much together, so it’s nearly impossible to choose just one moment.

In “96ers,” the melody when you sing the lyrics “Chiefs among the Sonogong,” is the same melody as “A flower that is you has blossomed” in your 2015 track “Mansae.” The lyrics also include “At the party, raise a glass” like in your 2022 track “Cheers.” What was the thought process behind nodding to some previous songs? Are there other references Carats should look out for when listening?
Woozi: While writing the songs, it felt natural to include traces of our journey. Perhaps it’s because the two of us have always been working hard side by side at the core of Seventeen. I hope listeners can feel the sense of effortless friendship and camaraderie that defines this album.

What were some of the other members’ initial reactions to the album? Any reactions from other 96ers you remember?
Hoshi: We played the songs for our members, and they all said the music suits us perfectly. They encouraged us to enjoy ourselves and break the stage, knowing that we’d make it unforgettable.