Pre-script: Late upload. Composed this few months ago...
GOING SEVENTY!!!
Okay, so here's the catch.
I think I have written an essay about my journey slipping into the diamond life of Seventeen. I stanned them knowing someday, they will all be making a very big decision that might change their future and the group's future.
And I did said no matter what decisions they make, I will wholeheartedly accepts it.
The fact that Seventeen has 13 members, few individual activities until recently, each member opening up their instagram accounts and being active here and there, I thought the toughest decision must be coming near. After all, only a year away before the Kpop jinx comes into effect.
I had always adored Seventeen's friendship and bond. Even though at times when watching their reality show 'Going Seventeen', I thought one or two members must be deeply hurt inside when the other members teased them. I thought, at one point, that bond would wore out and reached its limits.
Remember how I wrote in my first essay I wanted to see how far can their rings bring them together and their bond bring them to the future even beyond their idol image; I knew back then, I was hoping more. I was hoping that everything about their rings and bonds were not mere company business.
As I watched them everyday, my hope is seeing light. I started to trust their trusts for each other.
Like I said before, I am a second generation fan. My greatest heartbreak was Jessica leaving Girls Generation so suddenly that I lost focus during my Nursing review days. So is 2NE1 being on long hiatus and suddenly, Minzy left the group then a year after, the total disbandment of the group.
For the case of 2NE1, I knew from the very start the disbandment would come. But more than the disbandment, I looked into how they would still be together and treat each other as sisters.
AND I WASN'T WRONG.
THE 2NE1 MEMBERS DID HAVE A STRONGER BOND BEYOND THEIR GROUP'S NAME AND FAME.
Everytime I saw their mini interactions and still celebrating their debut anniversary each year, I am astounded. You can agree or disagree with me on this but you can't deny YG is one of the best company to let their previous artists who left the company but can still use their fame and their original group's name no matter what they do and where they do it.
As for SNSD, I am still happy that they also celebrates their anniversary despite three members leaving SM but it will never be the same. I am happy for an OT8 but I will be happier if it is an OT9. No matter how I try to understand, it seemed Jessica was never been there in the first place. A lot may get angry on me with this one but seeing them celebrating it together as 8 members and the members only mentioning Girls Generation as 8 membered group, I can't help but be sad and the same time, mad. Up until now and even maybe in the future, I would never know the reason why SNSD never mentions her already.
Then another heartbreak in the midst of the pandemic, the group I never imagined would disband, disbanded.
And yes, I am talking about GFRIEND.
They were immensely popular, they were part of HYBE, they've been very active together before the news broke out. Then suddenly, Weverse announced, GFRIEND is disbanding.
I still don't know the reason behind, I thought they have big plans coming up, then BUDDIES were devastated APPLE would be the last title track.
After GFriend's disbandment, I grew anxious about Seventeen's future. After all, GFriend was considered as Seventeen's sister. What if 'Ready to Love' would also be the last one?
I admit I wasn't ready. I thought I would be ready no matter what, but it seemed I wasn't.
Then suddenly Weverse notified, 'ALL 13 MEMBERS RE-SIGNED THEIR CONTRACT'.
I HAD TO ACTUALLY READ IT THRICE.
Weverse could have use other terms rather than RE-SIGN. Every English Carat like me really interpreted this in a whole different meaning before we finally understood it.
Weverse, I beg you, next time please use RENEW!
But despite the confusion, I was greatly relieved when I read the whole article. The decision was unanimous. They even renewed their contract a year before its expiration. And the biggest flex, THE ORIGINAL LINE-UP IS THE SAME!
Not many groups, even they have renewed their contracts, the line up were not the same especially in a group with 13 members. You would predict at least one or two would drop out, BUT NO ONE DID WITH SEVENTEEN.
In this, I trust their trust with each other. As a fan, and a friend, I am very delighted to hear more 'SAY THE NAME'! I am very happy to hear more of their music, watch more of their variety shows. I can still hope for more SCoups' sulking, care and leadership, Jeonghan's brain and cheating methods, Joshua's Sunday morning version, Jun's endless 1+1 agenda, Hoshi's unending Horanghae meetings, Wonu's specs that never fails to drop during practice video, Woozi's universefactory, Mingyu and Seungkwan's as well as Dino and Seungkwan's constant bickering, The8's eye catching fashion, and Vernon's attractive MEME faces.
Cheer's to a fascinating and bright future for Seventeen. To everyone, do not be afraid. Just slip into diamond life and trust in Seventeen's bond, you'll never regret it.
To Seventeen, thank you for being an inspiration and to your continuous trust to Carats. The path will not always be flowery and heaven, it will also be rocky and hell. But, no matter what path will that it be, Carats will always be with you walking that path. You will feel tired, exhausted, but always remember, you are doing well. Rest if you had to, we will not demand. Instead, we will patiently wait for you.
Until to the LAST, SAY THE NAME!
