Latest news with #Seventeen
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
On His Birthday, Seventeen's Wonwoo Drops a Heartfelt Self-Written Song That Feels Like a Hug
A Ballad That Feels Like Crossing Your Toughest Exam Ever had one of those days when even getting out of bed feels like climbing a steep hill? Today, K-pop star Wonwoo from Seventeen decided to ease everyone's struggles by dropping a surprise ballad, "Gogae," on his birthday. The song, whose title literally means "Hill," doesn't just tug at your heartstrings-it grabs them for a full-blown hug. Seventeen Wonwoo's album artwork Back in school or college, wasn't there always that unexpected support-a friend, a family WhatsApp, or even a cup of cutting chai-that made all the difference when the going got tough? That's exactly the spirit of "Gogae." With gentle piano and lush string sounds, the track builds up with emotional choruses, capturing the vibe of facing one "hill" after another in life. Wonwoo, embracing his husky voice and trying new vocal styles, sings about holding hope for a brighter tomorrow, prompting listeners to push forward even when life is all drama and deadlines. Wonwoo and CARAT-More Than Just Idol and Fandom Wonwoo didn't just lend his voice; he poured his soul into writing and composing the track. The lyrics are a love letter to CARATs (that's Seventeen's loyal fandom, in case you're new), reminiscing about the hills they've already climbed together, and promising to keep moving ahead-preferably, hand in hand and armed with good music. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola And then there's the music video. Remember adorable animation shorts from your childhood? This one features a lonely cat meeting a butterfly, and together, they cross a hill. One can't help but see the parallels: in the desi world, it's the filmi trope of unexpected friendships changing your entire journey. Here, it's Wonwoo symbolizing the cat, and his fandom as the butterfly, conquering life's uphill battles together-melancholy at first, and then oh-so-moving. Exploring New Sounds: Beyond K-pop Stereotypes Wonwoo isn't new to musical experiments. He's already shown different sides in group and solo work-his "99.9%" (from Seventeen's fifth album) powers up with a bright, cheery band sound, while "Trash Can" pulls listeners in with heartfelt vocals. "Gogae," though, is special in its raw sincerity and the promise, straight from Wonwoo's heart, to never stop moving forward-no matter how many hills pop up on the way. Like many Indian artists who weave diverse sounds-think Arijit Singh shifting from soulful to rock-Wonwoo shows he's not boxed into a single genre. It's proof that the youth across continents share an itch for change, variety, and breaking out of their comfort zones.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seventeen's Wonwoo marks birthday with self-written song
Wonwoo of Seventeen shared a self-written ballad on Thursday in time for his birthday, agency Pledis Entertainment announced. The single is titled 'Gogae,' which translates as a hill, and over the sounds of piano and strings, he sings to his fans how he will cherish the memories of rising above hills together and will gladly tackle the next with hope. The message is even more clear in the accompanying music video of an animation of a cat journeying over a hill together with a butterfly it encountered on the way. The idol is currently serving his mandatory military duty as an social agent. He said hello to fans last week via a fandom communication platform uploading a picture of himself visiting an arboretum with I.M of Monsta X and Woodz. He was also spotted at the concert of band's subunit Hoshi and Woozi.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Spotify named official audio streaming partner for Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced a partnership with Spotify, the world's most popular audio streaming subscription service, as the official audio streaming partner for the Esports World Cup 2025. The collaboration will bring fans an immersive audio experience throughout the world's largest esports and gaming event — powered by Spotify's library of more than 100 million tracks. As part of the partnership, Spotify will launch the EWC Music Hub, featuring official tournament anthems that form part of the EWC music identity, along with Spotify-curated gaming playlists designed to elevate the in-game and fan experience. The partnership also includes artist collaborations and on-site content creation with EWC creators and fans to deepen the personal connection between sound and gameplay. Music will take center stage at EWC 2025. Earlier this month, the Esports World Cup Foundation announced that global icon Post Malone will headline the opening ceremony on July 10. The event will also include the live debut of 'Til My Fingers Bleed,' performed by Dino of Seventeen, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of The Word Alive, alongside appearances by Grammy-nominated producer Alesso and renowned cellist Tina Guo. 'Our partnership with Spotify extends the Esports World Cup experience beyond the arena, inviting fans into the heart of the tournament through music and sound,' said Mohammed Al-Nimer, chief commercial officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation. 'This partnership brings our EWC Music vision to life: blending original music, global artists, and fan-driven playlists to create deeper connections with audiences and celebrate our unique ecosystem.' 'We're thrilled to partner with the Esports World Cup, a global event that shares our passion for music, fandom, and culture,' said Akshat Harbola, Spotify's managing director for MENAP. 'On Spotify, we've seen firsthand how music and gaming come together to create powerful, immersive moments. In fact, Saudi Arabia has the highest share of music streamed via gaming consoles on our platform globally — a clear signal that music is a core part of the gaming experience here. 'Together, we're creating iconic experiences and content that inspire and elevate the gaming community.' Returning to Riyadh, from July 7 to Aug. 24, the Esports World Cup Festival will unite gaming and esports communities for a global celebration of gaming and esports culture. With esports tournaments, live music, retro arcades, anime cafes, cosplay, creator studios, and more, the EWC Festival will offer millions of fans exclusive experiences celebrating their love of the game. The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Stars and their watches: Celebrities' wrists sparkle and dazzle at the Met Gala
Making his Met Gala debut, a member of the K-pop group Seventeen, walked the red carpet wearing a Piaget Polo diamond watch. The Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City, celebrated the Costume Institute's new exhibition, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', this year. One of the biggest events in fashion, many of the world's most famous and influential came dressed in their luxurious best for a historic Met Gala that paid tribute to Black fashion and emerging designers for the first time. This was also a first in more than 20 years, for a menswear theme at the event that ignited a showcase of creativity and bold interpretation. Together, the stars from the fashion, entertainment, sports and business world raised a record of US$31mil for the Met's Costume Institute.
The National
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Post Malone dazzles fans in Saudi Arabia during Esports World Cup's kick-off concert
The 2025 Esports World Cup kicked off at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with a Post Malone concert on Thursday night. The American singer-songwriter opened his performance with the 2019 hit Circles followed by a track list of fan favourites. The crowd revelled in a mix tape of his biggest hits, singing along throughout. Complementing Malone's set list were special effects used on stage to bring each song to life. During Sunflower, from the soundtrack of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Malone approached fans and even some of the VIPs in attendance. Later, he shared a moment with chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, one of the Esports World Cup's ambassadors. With the crowd warmed up, it was time for a performance of Malone's 2018 hit song Rockstar, which got some of the loudest crowd appreciation of the night. Despite being a short concert, it served its purpose in getting the people of Riyadh, as well as its visitors, ready and excited for the competition about to unfold. Malone ended his set with a message of good luck to all the competitors at the tournament, and a wish for those attending to enjoy the event. Entertainment at the opening ceremony Malone's set was preceded with a lively performance of the tournament's official song Til My Fingers Bleed by Dino from K-pop band Seventeen, featuring American rapper and singer Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of metal band The Word Alive. Before the artists took to the stage, fans flocked into the arena to enjoy various activations. Many watched as Saudi Arabia's premier esports outfit, Team Falcon, competed in a tournament for the game Valorant. The game was projected on two large screens accompanied by live commentary. Outside the venue, attendees enjoyed dishes from a selection of food trucks, which served up everything from burgers and fries to ice cream and bubble tea. A DJ also provided a soundtrack of remixed tunes. The evening sidestepped many of the typical symbolic moves that signal the start of such a tournament, such as a ribbon cutting or speeches from organisers. Instead, the opening ceremony focused on the musical performances. Running until August 24 in Boulevard City, Riyadh, the tournament is the largest esports event in the world, in terms of games played and prize pool for winners. The 2025 tournament features a $70 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. It surpasses last year's total of $62.5 million, showing the growth and ambition of the competition. It will feature 25 tournaments across 24 titles, offering a mix of strategy, shooter, sports, fighting and mobile games. This year, organisers have also set up a fan festival for visitors to enjoy outside of the competition arenas. These areas will host miniature competitions, meet and greets with celebrities and influencers from the world of gaming, as well as a museum dedicated to the history of gaming.
