As we step into a chilly new year, SEVENTEEN’s DK and Seungkwan are here to warm us up with their unit’s debut mini album. On Jan. 12, DxS released ‘Serenade,’ a six-track record centered on the theme of ordinary love. From the prelude of a blooming romance to one on the brink of ending, DxS takes us on a heartfelt journey through the different stages of love and the in-betweens.
The six tracks place a spotlight on DK and Seungkwan’s versatility as singers, highlighting their ability to excel in diverse genres. With two solos included in the tracklist, the duo gives each other the space to shine individually before reuniting once more. Moreover, their active contribution to their respective solos and the final track adds a meaningful personal touch to the album.
Aside from their astounding vocals, casual fans of SEVENTEEN may know them for their bright and humorous personalities. However, this debut album aims to break away from what CARATs are used to by introducing their serious and introspective sides. Beyond the flashy stages and trendy choreography, they opt for a more stripped-down performance befitting their album’s concept.
“Rockstar” (DK Solo)
Painting a colorful beginning, the album starts with a high-spirited solo from DK. With its upbeat guitar riffs and bright vocals, “Rockstar” is a track that perfectly reflects mutual love — and DK himself. It sends a message of thanks and wanting to give back the love you receive tenfold. DK’s cheerful personality shines through the song, bathing listeners in warm sunlight.
Like an OST from a slice-of-life drama, “Rockstar” is the perfect track to start your day with on the best note. The song’s youthful energy effortlessly brings a smile to your face, much like DK’s solo from SEVENTEEN’s ‘HAPPY BURSTDAY’ album, “Happy Virus.” It’s pure happiness bundled into a 2-minute record with a pretty bow on top.
“Blue”
Amid pulse-racing releases, “Blue” stands out as a title track marked by its ballad-driven sentimentality. It captures the feeling of deep longing, which can only be described as an ache that lingers — never disappearing, just something we’ve grown to live with. While singing over an orchestral arrangement, DK and Seungkwan highlight their vocal prowess and storytelling strength. Their gentle yet emotionally powerful interpretation makes the track even more immersive, placing you within the narrative itself.
Along with the album release, “Blue” also came with a cinematic music video and an epilogue featuring actors Lee Yoo-mi and Noh Sang-hyun. The 7-minute video encapsulates the theme of “love moving at different paces,” as the on-screen lovers slowly drift apart and ultimately end their relationship. Despite their love still existing, it showed the complexities of love and how it can lead to different paths. Sometimes you have to let go to keep loving one another without reservations and without pain.
“Guilty Pleasure”
Taking a break from the heartache, “Guilty Pleasure” makes its groovy entrance with style. This R&B track stays true to its title by delving into love’s guilty pleasures. Like a game of push-and-pull, it feels like someone trying not to cross the line, yet the curiosity keeps them from moving away.
The focus on DK and Seungkwan’s lower registers throughout the song proves their range goes far beyond ballads. There’s a hint of caution in their execution, expressing the song’s overall mood through their vocals. Adding to the track’s strengths, we also get a closer look at the duo’s versatility as they break away from their usual genre.
“Silence”
“Silence” brings us back to the pain felt from the title track, only now it’s the aftermath. It embodies the emptiness one feels after the end of a relationship — the one you feel much later on when you think you’ve already forgotten. It may not be the prettiest feeling, but the song gently tells us to accept it.
The song makes perfect use of its short length, as the end leaves you grasping for something you can’t quite explain. There’s no fancy cooldown after its climax, just the chorus and then pure silence.
“Dream Serenade” (Seungkwan Solo)
“Dream Serenade” completes the two solos in the album, now with Seungkwan leading the track. After a solemn breakup, we’re given the perspective of someone ready to move forward, but not without one last look at their memories. Seungkwan’s delicate vocals with the instrumental precisely capture the bittersweet theme. While it starts off like a lullaby, the song slowly builds to an exhilarating peak.
Despite being the longest track at almost 5 minutes, it never overstays its welcome. Seungkwan gives you time to immerse yourself in your own emotions and to find comfort in them. It hurts in a way that feels almost cathartic, like finally coming to terms with something you’ve been in conflict with for a long time.
“Prelude of Love”
Ending the album with a powerful message, “Prelude of Love” transports us to the starting line with newfound hope. After going through hardships, we’re now met with a warm hug and a shared promise to begin again. This pop-rock track gives us a fluttery feeling, almost like we’re listening to DK’s solo for the first time.
“Prelude of Love” feels like confessing your love at the top of your lungs, unafraid of past and future heartbreaks. It’s a thoughtful way to wrap up the album’s narrative in a positive light, as well as to show that love never ceases to exist in our lives.
‘Serenade’ is a reflection of love found in everyday life — a love that anyone can find themselves in. Through this album, DK and Seungkwan have proven that they aren’t just skilled artists but also master storytellers. Each song flows seamlessly to the next like the next chapter of a book, keeping us on our toes for what’s to come. Furthermore, their years of experience singing together are clear as day because of how natural their voices blend together. There’s no doubt that they’ve poured their hearts into this release, and we’re eager to hear more from this brilliant duo in the future.
Did you enjoy embarking on the journey of love with DK and Seungkwan? Let us know which track made its way to your heart on Instagram or Twitter/X!
FOLLOW SEVENTEEN ON THEIR SOCIALS
TIKTOK • INSTAGRAM • TWITTER/X • FACEBOOK • YOUTUBE • SPOTIFY • WEVERSE
FOLLOW DxS ON THEIR SOCIALS
DK’S INSTAGRAM • SEUNGKWAN’S INSTAGRAM
Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment
