Straight from NPR’s Headquarters, SEVENTEEN made a momentous debut behind the iconic tiny desk on Nov. 24. Five members (MINGYU, JOSHUA, VERNON, DINO and SEUNGKWAN) delivered a one-of-a-kind mini concert, featuring ten beloved tracks from their extensive discography. Accompanied by their longtime band, the group made their mark as the first K-pop artists to perform at NPR Music’s office in Washington, D.C.
According to NPR Music, DK was originally part of the lineup but unfortunately lost his voice a few days before filming. Other members—S.COUPS, JUN, and THE8—also couldn’t attend due to undisclosed schedules. Meanwhile, JEONGHAN, WONWOO, HOSHI, and WOOZI are currently serving in the military. Despite not being complete for this concert, the quintet impressively filled in for their absent members and kept the group’s signature energy alive.
SEVENTEEN are currently in the middle of their latest tour, SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_]. They kicked off the U.S. leg in October, lighting up the Tacoma Dome with explosive stages. However, despite their packed calendar, the group didn’t miss the opportunity to perform behind the quaint NPR office desk.
After their U.S. concert dates, the boys will return to Asia for the next leg of their tour, including several stops in Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. The tour will run until March 2026, with the possibility of more shows being added in the near future.
Humble Beginnings Behind the Tiny Desk
Tiny Desk Concert has been a long-running series by NPR since 2008. It began with a normal conversation between former NPR editor Stephen Thompson and host Bob Boilen when they attended a festival together. Because of the noisy venue, they had trouble hearing the artists performing on stage, particularly singer-songwriter Laura Gibson. As a joke, Thompson suggested inviting her to sing at his office desk on her next visit. They told her the idea, and by a lovely twist of fate, she agreed. And, as they say, the rest is history.
What started as a random idea quickly grew into a platform loved by musicians and fans alike. With no fancy effects or props, artists get to perform in their rawest forms — just them singing with a microphone and their instrument of choice. While the series grew tremendously over the years, the intimate space and what it represents remain unchanged.
SEVENTEEN’s Tiny Desk Concert: An Intimate Trip Down Memory Lane
In front of a small audience, SEVENTEEN’s tiny desk concert opened with a stripped-down version of their 2023 hit, “Super.” They instantly hooked the crowd with their infectious energy, showing their years of experience performing in sold-out stadiums. Following the group introduction, they slowed things down with a smooth medley of “Darl+ing,” “_WORLD,” and “To You.”
Partway through their set, the boys asked the audience for their favorite SEVENTEEN songs, leading to fun interactions when some mentioned hidden gems. One audience member replied with “HBD,” which spurred an impromptu performance of the track. Despite their initial nerves, the warm reception quickly helped the quintet be at ease.
SEVENTEEN continued their set with the rock-infused tracks “SOS (Prod. Marshmello)” and “Rock With You,” before elevating the energy to the max with “CLAP” and “HOT.” All the members took the time to express their gratitude for the opportunity to hold a tiny desk concert, sharing that they’re big fans of the series.
The powerful track lineup paved the way for the crowd-favorite finale, ending the set with two rounds of “AJU NICE.” It’s not easy performing songs meant for 13 people, but the five-member unit pulled it off splendidly. They won over the crowd’s hearts with their endearing charm and strong vocals, representing SEVENTEEN with pride.
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Featured Image Credit: Pledis Entertainment
