As the leaders of our hearts, K-pop group SEVENTEEN’s mood-maker unit BooSeokSoon (BSS) telepathically connected the world with their second single album. The trio released “Teleparty” on Jan. 8, donning their characteristic suit wear, but with slacks now substituted for jeans.
This team is hosting a worldwide party and has adopted the peculiar superpower of telepathy. Whether you’re strapped to your schoolwork or losing purpose in life, the trio’s earnest message to the world emphasizes that the key to rediscovering youth is learning how to find joy in the present.
BSS has been South Korea’s cheerleader since 2018, debuting with their first motivational makeshift anthem “Just Do It.” The unit’s encouraging personas were cemented into their concept with 2023’s hit track, “Fighting,” which was named South Korea’s official cheering song for the 2024 Paris Olympics. From their debut, they’ve fought to bring energy to listeners stuck in the daily grind of work and school. This return affirms their determination to bring happiness to those facing mundane or strenuous lives.
What sets this project apart from BSS’s previous work is a newfound freedom in their attitude. Where “Just Do It” and “Fighting” provided a kind of energy fuel for listeners to push through each day, “Teleparty” reverses that narrative. Now they’re busting us out of the office and bringing us along to pursue the things that give us joy, saying, “Do whatever you want, who cares?” in the lyrics of their new title track. While maintaining their cheerleader roles, they refreshingly defy South Korea’s excessive work culture and shed their office attire for their favorite pair of jeans.
Perhaps hinted at by their denim styling, the album’s main track is cheekily titled “CBZ [Prime time],” an acronym for the Korean word for jeans, “cheongbaji.” In this case, “cheongbaji” doubles as an acronym for the album’s catchy cheer, “Cheongchuneun baro jigeum,” meaning “Youth is now.” These repeating hooks have characterized each of BSS’s tracks as powerful chants to rally new and old listeners alike, and “CBZ [Prime time]” is no exception.
The team delivers the fresh energy that fans expect, now with a more creative and experimental style compared to a pop hit like “Fighting.” The jazzy piano and bustling strings of the instrumental mingle swing and country genres, creating the untroubled ambiance of a live bar band session. The chanting bridge and final chorus explode with impressive energy in demanding vocals and choreography that leave viewers in awe of the trio’s undeniable spirit.
Though “Teleparty” is only three tracks long, it gives all the more room for the B-sides to receive some love. Following “CBZ [Prime time],” the trio maintains their liberating sentiment in the lyrics of “Happy Alone,” the record’s second track. The chorus sings, “Under thе dusty sky / I’ll embroider my own time / To makе mundane moments special” to a new jack swing beat. While the song’s chorus is vocally challenging, the team’s vocalists nevertheless reach those new heights.
The sentimentality of “Happy Alone” transitions tactfully into the album’s closing track “Love Song,” a starkly mournful breakup song set to bittersweet strings reminiscent of 2000s R&B ballads. The song’s melody may be the album’s prettiest, with BSS’s tender vocals wondering how far telepathy can go when you miss someone you’ve lost.
While there is merit in how faithfully BSS leans into their concept as ambassadors of youth, “Teleparty” landed in South Korea at an awkward time. As the trio takes on the roles of “happiness leaders,” the album’s concept is heavily framed to resemble a political campaign. In the album’s teaser, the trio is seen delivering motivational press speeches, and the highlight medley directly parodies presidential campaign commercials commonly aired in South Korea.
The release of “Teleparty” followed a period of intense political crisis in South Korea. On Dec. 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed emergency martial law on the nation, but the order was quickly reversed by a unanimous vote by the attending members of the National Assembly. President Yoon was later impeached and suspended for the action, and protestors quickly began to rally in the streets both in support of and against the President’s warranted arrest.
Anticipating notice of the poorly timed resemblance, the team promoted content for “Teleparty” with a disclaimer that the album’s content was “planned during the first half of 2024 and does not represent any actual persons, events, entities or locations.” Even without direct connections to the political tension, elements of the team’s rousing and nonconformist message may still resonate with listeners amid the feelings of public dissent. The general intolerance for President Yoon’s demonstration of authority resurfaced the people’s fear of and dissatisfaction with exploitative power structures. This is a sentiment that can be applied universally, such as in the relentless culture of labor and academics.
Foremost, the trio intends to reignite the fire within people’s hearts. There’s no denying BSS’s ability to rally and inspire listeners of all ages no matter the situation they are in. “CBZ [Prime time]” is unafraid to launch everyone out of their seats to dance along to their message of defiance.
While “Teleparty” may not have skyrocketed with the same record-breaking popularity as “Fighting,” the album stands apart for its creativity both in concept and musicality. Its notions of universal youth are woven into its songs, and the charm of its reminiscent sound can appeal to listeners of all ages. BSS and their team continue to show great attention to detail in the creation of this project, truly establishing themselves as both figures of inspiration and exceptionally multi-talented performers.
Alaina Retodo is a 2024-2025 Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor. They can be reached at aretodo@uci.edu.
Edited by Lillian Dunn and Bianca Marroquin
