SEVENTEEN’s DK And SEUNGKWAN Find Power In Vulnerability As DxS With ‘Serenade’

Within the talented lineup of the global K-pop phenomenon SEVENTEEN, members DK and SEUNGKWAN have consistently stood out for their innate chemistry and impeccable talent as musicians, which have always gone hand in hand throughout their careers on the scene.

Now, that connection takes on a new form. With the unveiling of their new sub-unit DxS, DK and SEUNGKWAN step forward not just as familiar voices within SEVENTEEN or the beloved BSS, but as a duo that is intent on exploring the softer, quieter, and more introspective spaces of love and emotion. Their 1st Mini-Album Serenade marks a deliberate shift away from all the grand gestures and high-octane performance that they’ve become well renowned for, and instead embraces the tenderness that is found in everyday moments — echoing the kind of love that grows slowly, breath by breath, through shared time and mutual care. 

Built on more than a decade of shared stages, rehearsals, and conversations, their debut as DxS is less of a new beginning, rather it’s more of a natural evolution in their step forward as artists. Throughout Serenade, their voices do not compete but coexist — sometimes slightly out of step, sometimes perfectly aligned — yet still mirroring the album’s central theme of love experienced at different paces. Each harmony, pause, and breath feels intentional, carrying the weight of lived experience rather than polished perfection, executed through the duo’s impressive vocal technique that evokes a series of emotional truths.

What emerges from Serenade is an intimate portrait of two artists unafraid to be still. From the gradual emotional pull of lead single “Blue” to the reflective bookends formed by their solo tracks, Serenade unfolds like a quiet confession, inviting listeners to sit with their own memories of love, distance, and understanding. In presenting themselves as DxS, DK and SEUNGKWAN reveal not only their growth as vocalists, but their evolution as storytellers — emerging as artists who now find strength in subtlety and connection in sincerity.

In this exclusive interview with Billboard Philippines, the beloved musical duo opens up about the nitty-gritty details of how their shared chemistry inspired their collaborative process on the record, how it felt diving deeper into more emotional territory, and what it was like channeling vulnerability through their set of vocal performances.

Billboard Philippines: Congratulations on the release of your first mini-album, Serenade! How do you guys feel about finally releasing this record out into the world — especially after keeping it a secret for some time?

DK: While preparing this album, SEUNGKWAN and I had numerous meetings with our company, and we kept coming back to the same thought — that we really wanted to share great music with everyone. The entire process was genuinely fun, and since we’re both main vocalists, we especially wanted to show our vocal strengths in a diverse way. I feel proud and happy that those intentions came through so well in the album.

SEUNGKWAN: As we worked on the album, DK and I really poured our hearts into it, sharing conversations every step of the way. It honestly wasn’t easy to prepare everything while being on tour, but we did our very best to put a lot of time and care into it, so I really hope CARATs will enjoy it. 

The majority of Serenade focuses on the concept of “ordinary love” rather than dramatic romance. Were there any experiences from your personal lives that shaped the narrative of this record, and how did you translate such moments into something musically resonant?

DK: I think it’s rare for love in real life to feel as dramatic as in movies or dramas. More often, love is formed through small moments that quietly build up in everyday life. We wanted to capture that feeling — the way we care for CARATs, and the way CARATs care for us — and express that mutual love through our music.

As it is, you’ve shared the stage and studio for many years, but Serenade is the first time you’re presenting yourselves fully as a duo. How did your long-standing chemistry and trust with one another shape the way you worked together on this album?

SEUNGKWAN: Since DK and I talk to each other often, even on a daily basis, working together felt very natural and comfortable. We know each other so well, and I think that familiarity created a great synergy that had a positive effect throughout the entire album-making process.

Were there moments where that familiarity allowed you to be more honest and challenging with each other?

SEUNGKWAN: Rather than challenging each other, we usually approach things by asking, “This is what I’m thinking. What do you think?” We’re very honest with each other, but we try not to be overly critical. That balance made our collaboration feel very healthy and smooth. 

As vocalists who have spent over 10 years harmonizing within SEVENTEEN and amplifying that as BSS, were there any creative shifts that both of you had to consciously make when stripping things back as DxS (SEVENTEEN) — given this mini-album’s focus on vulnerability? If so, what were they?

DK: For this unit, we really wanted to show a more serious side of ourselves as vocalists. Compared to our previous releases, we aimed for the performances and visuals to carry more weight and depth, through which we wanted to share that new emotional tone with CARATs.

This record showcases a more heartfelt and intimate side of DK and SEUNGKWAN than anything that we have seen before. In comparison to the performance-driven intensity that both of you are familiar with, did you approach the process of recording Serenade differently?

DK: Rather than prioritizing the performance aspect, we began this album by focusing primarily on the story and emotions conveyed in the songs—wanting those feelings to come through as honestly as possible. So we put a lot of thought into which songs belonged on the album, and how to highlight the right vocal elements for each track’s mood. If our performance-heavy stages usually emphasized energy and power, during the recording of Serenade, we focused more on expressing emotion in a sincere, simple way rather than trying to embellish it. I want listeners to feel like they’re comfortably listening to my own story. 

How did you manage to tap into harnessing your exceptional vocal prowess and emotional expression in a new manner?

DK: Rather than trying to show something ‘new’ vocally, my priority was on how honestly I could reveal my emotions. More than technical perfection, I paid closer attention to tone, breathing, and control so that my voice could naturally blend into the feeling of each song. 

Given your recognition as vocalists known for strong technique, how did you make sure the emotions stayed raw and honest without sounding overly polished or controlled?

SEUNGKWAN: Just like DK mentioned, for this album, we really concentrated on the fundamentals like tone, breathing, and control. We wanted the emotion to come through first, rather than the technique, so we were careful not to sound overly polished or calculated. 

Serenade’s lead single, “Blue”, portrays love moving at different paces, with harmonies that intensify over time. How did you use vocal interplay to represent emotional distance and closeness?

SEUNGKWAN: When singing the lead single, instead of syncing our emotions from the beginning, we wanted to naturally express how two people can experience love at different speeds through our vocals. At first, we intentionally didn’t lock our harmonies too tightly, allowing our tones and breathing to feel slightly misaligned. As the song progressed, we gradually conveyed the feeling of growing closer through the density of the harmonies and the warmth of the sound. 

Was the choice to blend grand orchestration with your voices deliberate? How do you believe this enhanced the emotional impact of the song?

DK: For the lead single, we felt that adding orchestration helped amplify the deepening emotional journey even better. The grand sound elevates the atmosphere and supports listeners to immerse themselves in the story more easily. While the vocals alone carry a lot of emotion, the orchestration expands that emotional range and lingering feeling, making the song’s message resonate more strongly.  

Even the song’s music video visualizes separation through two people who can no longer walk at the same speed. How closely did you connect with that narrative?

SEUNGKWAN: Thankfully, we were able to have professional actors star in the “Blue” music video, so instead of acting it out ourselves, we observed the story from a slight distance. Before seeing the final version, we were very curious about how the emotions would unfold. After watching the edited video, we felt the narrative—of two people walking the same path but slowly drifting apart at different speeds—was captured beautifully. The emotions came through so naturally without needing many words, and it turned out to be a story we deeply connected with. 

Both of you have solo songs on Serenade — with DK’s solo track “Rockstar (DK Solo)” finding love embedded in everyday life, while SEUNGKWAN’s “Dream Serenade (SEUNGKWAN Solo)” reflects a love matured through its ending. How do these solo songs act as emotional bookends for the album, and what did you learn about each other through hearing these deeply personal perspectives side by side?

DK: My solo track opens the album by introducing the bright and positive emotions of love. Over retro synths and upbeat guitar sounds, I wanted to express gratitude and encouragement by comparing the precious people who make everyday life special to “Rockstar.” I tried to deliver those feelings directly through energetic vocals. Listening to SEUNGKWAN’s song, I could feel a much deeper and more mature perspective on love, and I think it beautifully completes the album’s emotional journey. 

SEUNGKWAN: Mine leads into the album’s finale by quietly reflecting on past love and settling those emotions toward closure. Within the restrained sound and spacious arrangement, I wanted to express the warmth of love that becomes whole through understanding each other in the end. When listening to DK’s song, I felt such positive energy toward everyday life and people, and thanks to that bright beginning, the emotional flow of the album kicks off very naturally.

Through tapping into the more empathetic, heartfelt, and honest side of yourselves in the making of Serenade, what were you able to discover about yourselves that you hadn’t before? Was there any sort of liberation in the process as well?

DK: I’ve always carried some pressure about needing to sing well, but while working on Serenade, I was able to focus more on the emotion instead—and that actually felt better. Singing that way made me feel at ease, and I realized my sincerity came through more clearly. Through that process, I feel like I discovered a new side of myself.

SEUNGKWAN: This album taught me that embracing emotions honestly, without hiding them, can create an even stronger impact. It was a time when I could sing without overthinking or calculating, just following my true feelings, and that allowed me to connect with my own emotions more comfortably. In that sense, Serenade was a very freeing process for me. 

Looking back at your journeys within SEVENTEEN — after years of shared growth, pressure, and connection — how does Serenade serve as an authentic portrait of who DK and SEUNKWAN are now, not just as idols or vocalists, but as established musical artists?

DK: I believe that SEVENTEEN, BSS, and now DxS — where we’re showcasing a more serious side — all represent authentic aspects of who we are. Through these various concepts, we’ve been able to demonstrate different facets of ourselves, while constantly channeling our energy into the music in a way that can quietly give strength in everyday life.

What can we expect from DxS (SEVENTEEN) in the future — especially with what lies ahead beyond the release of Serenade?

SEUNGKWAN: Through this album, we really hope to show our vocal chemistry as a unit, and going forward, we want to continue sharing great music that brings positive energy to people. Beyond our vocals, we also feel that we work very well together in many ways, so we’d love to have more opportunities to show that side of us as well. 

Lastly, do you have anything you hope to say to your Filipino fans who will be watching your upcoming concert here in the Philippines this March 2026?

DK: Thank you always for being our strength, CARATs. Because you are our driving force, we’re giving our all to both this album and the upcoming concert, so please look forward to them. We can’t wait to meet you on stage again and create lots of happy memories together. See you very soon in March!

SEUNGKWAN: We’re already so excited to meet CARATs again in March, and with our unit’s album coming out as well, we’d be very grateful for all your love and support. Hope we can share many wonderful memories together through our show in March. 

Listen DxS’ first-ever mini album, Serenade, in its entirety below: