Global fans and local media are showing growing interest in K-pop group Seventeen, the first K-pop artist to take the stage at the UNESCO headquarters.
Seventeen (S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, The8, Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino) arrived in Paris, France on the 12th (Korean time) to attend the UNESCO Youth Forum special session scheduled for 3:30 a.m. on the 15th (Korean time, local time 14th at 7:30 p.m.). As soon as Seventeen’s visit was announced, the local airport was packed with numerous fans eager to see the group.
The local fans’ enthusiastic response started after the news about Seventeen’s special session at UNESCO was announced. The UNESCO Youth Forum, which recruited 550 audience members for Seventeen’s special session, closed early as about 3,600 people rushed in immediately after it opened. It was the highest number of applicants for any session event in history.
UNESCO also expressed high expectations. On its official website, UNESCO stated, “With the participation of Seventeen, we expect to enhance dialogues among young generations and amplify their voices. This collaboration with Seventeen will play an important role in combining art and action and will encourage the empowerment and collective action of the youth generation beyond simple entertainment.”
Jin Park, the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Korea, also expressed his anticipation during a keynote speech at the UNESCO General Conference on the 10th, saying, “The globally famous K-pop group Seventeen will hold a special session at the Youth Forum,” and invited everyone to “a gathering to celebrate the infinite potential of future generations.”
The international press is also showing keen interest. Seventeen will conduct extensive interviews with global news agencies and local correspondents.
Their agency, Pledis Entertainment, announced, “After delivering a speech on the topic Solidarity and Education among Youth can Change the Future of Youth and the Earth, Seventeen will perform a total of five songs including ‘_WORLD,’ ‘Darl+ing (ENG ver),’ ‘Headliner,’ ‘God of Music,’ and ‘Together (ENG ver).’ In addition, a separate performance video will be produced and released in line with the purpose of the UNESCO Youth Forum. The performance setlist is connected with the theme of Seventeen’s speech, so we ask for your high expectations.”
Seventeen is scheduled to hold a special session at the main hall of the UNESCO headquarters, representing the youth and future generations with about an hour of speeches and performances. This will be broadcast live on the official UNESCO YouTube channel at 3:30 a.m. on the 15th.
By. Jeong Ji Won
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