DxS

On 12 January 2026, SEVENTEEN introduced their latest sub-unit, DxS, led by vocalists DK and SEUNGKWAN. As the group begin to navigate mandatory military service, sub-unit and solo releases have taken on a new significance – not as placeholders, but as ways to sustain connection and momentum during a period of transition.

DxS marks the first SEVENTEEN sub-unit built around two lead vocalists, both widely regarded among the strongest of their generation. That focus makes their debut mini-album, Serenade, feel purposeful from the outset. Across six tracks and roughly 20 minutes, DK and SEUNGKWAN move through themes of love, grief, reflection, and healing, allowing emotional highs and lows to unfold with a familiarity that feels relatable rather than formulaic.

The mini-album begins with DK’s solo track, “Rockstar.” Its bright rock soundscape pairs seamlessly with the vocalist’s glowing personality, making his singular co-writing credit on Serenade stand out that much more. The titular rockstar refers to the listener – DK flips the usual script and stakes his claim as their number one fan in everything they do. With this mindset, “Even ordinary days become beautiful / Small routines turn more special.” It’s a lighthearted love song that starts the mini-album off on an expectedly upbeat note from SEVENTEEN’s happy virus.

SEUNGKWAN’s solo, on the other hand, is a sweeping ballad fit for the soundtrack of a devastatingly beautiful film. Within the lyrics, he depicts a touching image of one looking back on a lost friendship or relationship with nothing but the utmost fondness after processing his grief. He brings about images of the brighter moments amid the often overwhelming darkness of loss. For SEUNGKWAN, a co-writer on “Dream Serenade,” his words feel spoken from experience. When he sings “Even if I gathered all the light in the world / It still couldn't replace you / But imagining you somewhere / Smiling / I'm okay,” one can’t help but feel every word like a balm on both theirs and SEUNGKWAN’s most stored-away pains.

Serenade’s title track, “Blue,” follows much of this same sentiment. With intense honesty from both members that never shies away from some of the most vulnerable human emotions, they express a common aspect of falling for someone who suffers from depression. Sometimes mental burdens are alleviated by a partner, but spending so much time with someone carrying so much unprocessed baggage can often lead to both parties succumbing to the same sadness.

Seeking joy and healing in another person isn’t always a bad thing, but it comes with risks and possible consequences depending on the nature of that relationship. When the chorus croons “I just keep on fallin' in your blue,” they’re referring to the unfortunate risk of sinking into your partner’s comfort so much that separation will eventually become necessary. In the end, the partner who suffered alone is in that position once again: “I locked on your eyes alone / And worked harder on our love, but / You didn't come back to me / All that's left are echoes.”

The cinematic music video for “Blue,” starring actors Lee Yoo-mi and Noh Sang-hyun, is an incredibly heartbreaking portrayal of every lyric. It sets the scene immediately by showing the male lead surviving a car accident in which his friend passes away. As viewers watch his domestic life with the female lead unfold, they also see glimpses of the PTSD and depression that take hold to the point where his partner begins to assume the worst after common events like missing a phone call or two.

The vulnerability of the actors and the artists within this one track is a rare occurrence for K-pop. Mental health is largely seen as taboo in Korean culture, leaving many no choice but to suffer in silence. By portraying things like grief, PTSD, depression, and anxiety through music, DK and SEUNGKWAN aren’t just pulling at fans’ heartstrings – they’re showing that it’s okay not to be okay.

Other b-sides like “Guilty Pleasure” and “Silence” touch on other aspects of relationships. The former is a groovy R&B track while the latter is another soaring ballad. Respectively, they bring listeners into both the thrill of an unexpected new romance and the silence that comes with knowing the relationship you’re in is slowly approaching its natural end, both of which paint a detailed picture for listeners.

By the time “Prelude of love” rolls around to close out the mini-album, listeners are likely wondering if a happy ending is possible. SEUNGKWAN’s second co-writing credit on Serenade comes from this track, an encouraging one that promises a happier time to follow. 

Small moments of joy can make or break someone’s day, so it’s important, as we get older, to take in any bit of joy we can, big or small. This becomes the collective theme of the mini-album by the end. All of us face heartbreak, loss, or loneliness at some point in our lives, but what DK and SEUNGKWAN remind us is that love is always right around the corner.