Seventeen's Hoshi x Woozi Talk 'Raw and Genuine' First Album and Their 10-Year Friendship (Exclusive)

Woozi and Hoshi might seem at first like unlikely collaborators. One is a super serious and hyper-focused producer, the other, a top-tier dancer filled with boundless enthusiasm and occasionally chaotic energy.

But there's a reason the musicians — two-thirteenths of the superstar K-pop group Seventeen — are nicknamed the "Mastermind Duo."

What the duo, or "subunit" in K-pop terminology, share is an irrepressible passion and an almost obsessive nature when it comes to making music. To use a chronically online expression, they match each other's freak.

"Once Woozi commits to something, he gives it his all," Hoshi, 28, tells PEOPLE. "His persistence, his sharp judgment and ability to make clear, level-headed decisions is something I truly admire. Whether in music or everyday life, I’m constantly learning from him."

And the feeling goes both ways.

"As a matter of fact, I always rely on Hoshi a lot," admits Woozi, 28, who co-produces almost all of Seventeen's music. "We have different strengths, but we complement each other in a way that feels effortless. That balance enhances our dynamic and keeps our creativity flowing when we make music together."

On March 10, the besties dropped their second ever collaboration (and first single album), Beam, officially as Hoshi x Woozi.

"We wanted to highlight the chemistry we’ve built over the years," explains Hoshi.

After coming up through the K-pop trainee system at Pledis Entertainment together, they debuted in 2015 alongside their eleven bandmates: S. Coups, 29, Jeonghan, 29, Joshua, 29, Jun, 28, Wonwoo, 28, DK, 28, Mingyu, 27, The8, 27, Seungkwan, 27, Vernon, 27, and Dino, 26. (Pledis became part of Hybe, BTS's record label, in 2020.)

"Hoshi x Woozi holds special significance for me," Woozi adds. "I think that’s why our music feels so raw and genuine, allowing us to express ourselves in a way that’s deeply personal."

Beam's three tracks, "Pinnochio," "96ers" and "Stupid Idiot," are bops top to bottom.

On the lead single "96ers," the title is a nod to the year both Hoshi and Woozi were born and is a tribute to their decade-long friendship, from fledgling K-pop trainees — "runny-nosed kids in middle school," they sing — to unshakeable idols: "Don't stop me even if I'm overdoing it, Jihoonie," Hoshi declares, referring to Woozi by his real name.

The bouncy pop track also includes themes of self love, something they both consciously practice in an often critical music industry.

"It’s a challenge for everyone, including me, but believing in yourself is essential," says Woozi. "We’re always influenced by others, so it’s important to stay grounded and see reality clearly. My advice for this is to be humble without losing confidence, and self-assured without crossing into overconfidence."

"I don’t always get it right either," admits Hoshi, "but I’ve made it a habit to strengthen my mindset by reminding myself that I’m capable and enough." He encourages Carats (as Seventeen fans are known) to do the same: "Start your day with a compliment to yourself and remind yourself that you’re amazing."

"96ers" is also loaded with Easter eggs for Carats, including references to the Seventeen songs "Cheers" and "Super," and even an inside joke from their TV show Nana Tour, where member DK picked up a favorite Italian exclamation: "Saluté!"

"Naturally, the legacy of everything we’ve built over the years has found its way into our work," says Woozi. "After spending so much time together, I guess it only makes sense that our journey as a group comes through in what we create."

"Pinnochio," which features indie rock singer and frontwoman of the Korean band Se So Neon, So!YoON!, is a slinky, R&B moment with a soaring chorus that will have fans putting their hands up. The use of a fictional character, like the titular puppet, as the medium for a message is a common one for Seventeen. Pinnochio joins tracks named "Don Quixote" and "Sonogong" (a nod to both the Chinese mythological figure and a character from Dragon Ball Z) in the group's discography.

"I don’t intentionally incorporate it, it just comes naturally," explains Woozi. "I think it’s simply the way I’m drawn to expressing things. At the same time, it helps the audience connect with the music on a deeper level, almost like following a story, making the experience even more immersive."

The final track, "Stupid Idiot," is a thumping, synth-filled, club-worthy banger that feels like Hoshi and Woozi's release after all that nose-to-the-grindstone work. "Everyone’s eyes are gonna be on me tonight. But who cares, I can do whatever I set my mind to," they sing, a message that could sum up their careers to date.

For Hoshi and Woozi, this releases's timing could also be viewed as a last hurrah — for now.

They both turn 29 this year and are expected to enlist in South Korea’s mandatory military service in the coming months. It’s a complicated moment for the group and their fans, as the members reach their individual deadlines. At the moment, Jeonghan is serving and it was announced last week that Wonwoo will join him on April 3. Their other Korean bandmates will follow over the next two years. 

But Carats, who've supported the band for 10 years now, will be waiting on the other side.

"Our biggest motivation came from the fans who have been waiting for Hoshi x Woozi for so long," says Hoshi. "Their support has always driven us, and we wanted to give back in a way that truly means something. Seventeen’s 10th anniversary felt like the perfect time to showcase the journey Woozi and I have shared and how we’ve grown."

He adds, "More than just a release, we wanted this to be a meaningful moment for everyone who has been part of our story."

Beam by Hoshi x Woozi is available to stream now.