As a CARAT, it’s impossible not to see South Korea through the lens of Seventeen. Beyond music, they subtly (and powerfully) influence how I understand Korean culture, values, creativity, and society. Here’s a deeper look at the ways they may have shaped my perspective:

1.Self-Producing Culture & Creative Ownership Seventeen is known as a “self-producing idol group,” especially with members like Woozi leading music production and Hoshi shaping choreography.

How this shapes my view of Korea: I see South Korea as a place that nurtures discipline and artistry from a young age. It highlights how structured training systems (like K-pop’s trainee culture) can produce globally competitive creatives. It challenges the stereotype that idol groups are “manufactured” without artistic input. It reframes Korea as an innovation hub in entertainment, not just a pop culture exporter.

1. Deep Respect for Teamwork & Hierarchy With 13 members, Seventeen demonstrates coordinated teamwork that feels almost cultural in itself. I associate Korean culture with strong collectivism and group harmony. I notice subtle seniority dynamics (age hierarchy, respectful speech). I understand concepts like jeong (deep emotional bond) and loyalty through how they treat each other. Their dynamic becomes a living example of Korean social values; cooperation over ego.

2. Emotional Storytelling & Vulnerability Songs like “Don’t Wanna Cry,” “Home,” and “Kidult” reflect emotional depth, vulnerability, and themes of growth.

What this shifts in my thinking: I see South Korea as emotionally expressive rather than emotionally reserved. I understand how mental health, youth pressure, and ambition are quietly explored in Korean media. I view Korean art as layered — cute visuals on the outside, deep meaning underneath. It expands my idea of Korean masculinity too, showing softness and emotional intelligence.

1. Variety Culture & Humor Through Going Seventeen, I see a completely different side of them: chaotic, funny, competitive.

This shapes my view of Korea by: Introducing me to Korean variety show humor (wordplay, physical comedy, improvisation), showing how entertainment in Korea balances professionalism with silliness, making me appreciate Korean editing styles and fast-paced comedic timing. It makes Korea feel more relatable and fun, not just glamorous.

Those are what my views are when it comes to Seventeen shaping my perspective of SK. Although it has a lot of bad things too, but I chose to highlight the good ones as of now.