SEVENTEEN, one of K-pop’s most successful groups, debuted in May 2015 after a period of intense training together as 13 members. To highlight each member’s individual strengths, they adopted a distinctive three-unit structure: the Vocal Team (Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, Seungkwan), the Hip-Hop Team (S.Coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), and the Performance Team (Hoshi, Jun, The8, Dino). While teamwork remains paramount, the dynamic contributions of each unit – the Performance Team in charge of choreography, the Vocal Team led by producer Woozi crafting melodies, and the Hip-Hop Team adding a free-spirited flair – are undeniable in shaping SEVENTEEN's unique sound and stage presence.

Beyond their group activities, SEVENTEEN has pursued notable unit projects. The three-member unit BSS has released two single albums, and Hoshi X Woozi, leaders of the Performance and Vocal Teams respectively, launched their single album “BEAM” and completed a fan concert tour. The latest addition to these endeavors is the Hip-Hop Team’s S.Coups and Mingyu, who debuted their unit CxM on September 29 with their first mini album, “HYPE VIBES.” This project injects a fresh burst of energy into the group’s evolving narrative, showcasing the duo’s unfiltered chemistry and shared musical tastes.

S.Coups and Mingyu both expressed their strong intention to honestly capture the kind of music they could create together, rather than attempting to embellish it. S.Coups highlighted the enjoyable creative process, while Mingyu noted their similar desire to share their tastes in a straightforward and natural way. The album, comprising six tracks, reflects their complete agreement on presenting themselves as they are. BUMZU, who has been with SEVENTEEN since their debut, also participated in the album's production.

The title track, “5, 4, 3 (Pretty woman) (feat. Lay Bankz),” features Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter Lay Bankz and famously interpolates Roy Orbison’s vintage 1964 pop classic “Oh, Pretty Woman.” This decision to reinterpret a rock ’n’ roll classic by two members of SEVENTEEN’s hip-hop unit was deliberate, aiming to create a song that could be enjoyed across generations by reinterpreting music loved by previous generations with their own energy. Mingyu clarified that the goal was not specifically to target overseas listeners, but to create music enjoyable by everyone, without language barriers, which led to writing all lyrics in English with intuitive expressions. SEVENTEEN has a history of diverse global collaborations, including artists like Pink Sweat$, DJ Khaled, Anne-Marie, and Pharrell Williams, demonstrating their comfort with international boundaries.

Another significant track on the album is “Young Again,” which carries a sentimental theme. For Mingyu, the song stems from the idea that “moments that have passed never come back,” emphasizing the unique atmosphere and emotion of live performances that cannot be fully captured by recordings. S.Coups shared his realization that youth isn’t confined to an age, but rather a mindset of enjoying each moment wholeheartedly, a feeling he wishes to share with the SEVENTEEN members.

SEVENTEEN's global success continues to reach new heights. After breaking onto the Billboard 200 for the first time with their eighth mini album “Your Choice” in 2021, they earned the Top K-pop Touring Artist award at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs). Their 10th-anniversary release, “HAPPY BURSTDAY,” spent three consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, and their 2023 10th mini album, “FML,” sold a staggering 6.2 million copies, becoming the world’s best-selling album of the year. The group has effortlessly filled stadiums across South Korea, Japan, Asia, and North America, and in the past year, made their mark in Europe with performances at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK and Lollapalooza Berlin.

Despite these immense achievements, SEVENTEEN's drive for growth remains strong. S.Coups views the CxM activity as an extension of the group’s journey, adding more color and musical depth to SEVENTEEN’s spectrum. He also recently released his first solo track, “Jungle (S.COUPS Solo),” on the “HAPPY BURSTDAY” album, which he performed during the SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_]. Mingyu also found the album-making process inspiring, leading to new ideas for future projects that differ from SEVENTEEN's usual output. Both members performed as nine on the “NEW_” tour stages, navigating the initial strangeness and pressure with the help of fans’ energy, and realizing anew the diverse contributions of each member that complete SEVENTEEN.

When asked where they would take the alien creatures Kuute and Mante from the album trailer, S.Coups would choose a SEVENTEEN concert, where energy recharges through music and interaction. Mingyu suggested the practice room or studio, to show the extensive collaborative effort behind a single song.