SEVENTEEN’s lively subunit, BSS (Boo-Seok-Soon) – comprised of Boo Seungkwan (SEUNGKWAN), Lee Seokmin (DK), and Kwon Soonyoung (HOSHI) – provided a huge dose of happiness in 2023 with their hit song “Fighting”, featuring Lee Young Ji. Their infectious optimism and relatable jadedness gave voice to the working class, and solidified the trio as a beacon of hope. Now in their second single album, TELEPARTY, they once again prove their ability to deliver uplifting messages with masterful technical artistry.
In the teaser video for this project, BSS call themselves leaders in happiness, as is evident in their history of high-energy performances, lighthearted theatrics, and collective goofy nature. Such intense positivity might come off as shallow, but that is not the case with this group. There is a tangible sense that they understand what it means to struggle, to be disappointed, to lose. And yet, they have fun. It’s clear they know, not just in theory but in practice, the importance of laughter and its power to heal and build resilience amidst sorrows.
The Official Teaser Video for BSS' 2nd Single Album 'TELEPARTY'
The three new tracks explore swing jazz, synth funk, and nostalgic pop with an ease that can only be achieved through true talent. The lead song, “CBZ (Prime time)”, encourages listeners to let go of societal pressures and focus on happiness. Its Korean title, “청바지” (cheong-ba-ji), is a double entendre that acts as a slang acronym that stands for “youth is right now” (청춘은 바로 지금 / cheong-chun-eun ba-ro ji-geum), and the word for denim jeans.
The music video plays on this as it shows all three members passing out said pants with abandon until everyone is in Canadian tuxedos. In the lyrics, Hoshi instructs everyone to “go change into your [youth/jeans]”, and later Seungkwan and DK inform that the “dress code is [youth/jeans]”. Rather than shy away from each definition, they embrace both, much like how they want people to do the same with life.
There are also a few cameos, one being at the start by actress and singer Uhm Jung Hwa, who recreates the moment she announced SEVENTEEN as the winners of the 2023 MAMA Daesang Album of the Year Award. Actresses Jung Young Joo and Gal So Won are the bickering mother-daughter duo, and actor Moon Sang Hoon is the schoolteacher. These appearances only add to the excitement BSS aims to evoke amongst fans and new audiences alike.
The Official Music Video for "CBZ (Prime time)" by BSS
“Happy Alone” is a refreshing, vocally demanding track that revels in the victory of clocking out after a long day. The very first line goes, “수고 많았어” (su-go manh-ass-eo), which is a saying that doesn’t have a direct English translation. On Genius it’s conveyed as “you’ve done well”, but when said elsewhere, it could more closely mean, “thank you for your hard work”. Both sentiments are true – there is gratitude for as well as acknowledgement of one’s effort within this phrase. Paired with the first person narrative throughout the rest of the lyrics, this song effectively becomes a great self-affirmation.
Reminiscent of 2000s pop from the likes of the Backstreet Boys, the mini album’s finale, “Love Song”, blends retro sounds with modern perspectives. Like a kite string, it’s a somber ending that keeps BSS tethered to earth with the reality of heartbreak. This versatility is what gives them a uniquely grounded whimsy, and allows them the depth to stand firm as a source of comfort. Their joy is honest because of their willingness to navigate complexities and pain.
TELEPARTY is more than a comeback; it’s a celebration of all the happiness that is still possible in the face of difficulties. BSS are simultaneously rekindling the seemingly lost art of quirky, feel-good K-pop, giving energy to everyone who is hustling and grinding, and redefining youth as a mindset instead of something exclusive to being young. Listeners can, and should, take heart in the good news that youth is simply about enjoying the present, whatever it looks like.
