SEVENTEEN’s The8 Tries to Woo His Crush in New Single, “Side By Side”

Following fellow performance unit members Jun and Hoshi, SEVENTEEN’s The8 is the latest member to release solo material this year. The singer-songwriter is back with his solo single album, Side By Side. With The8 being a world-class performer, the song was released in both Chinese and Korean and accompanied by a music video for each version.

Much like The8’s colorful personality, the song’s production incorporates various different styles and instrumentations to create a dynamic track. With a jazzy piano and brass paired with a pop arrangement, the track is an instant earworm. The catchy guitar-assisted chorus also brings in a few reggae elements, amplifying the song’s power. The track was co-written and co-composed by The8 and SEVENTEEN’s frequent collaborator Bumzu. 

The music video is a treat as well. The story follows The8 through different scenarios as he tries to impress his crush only to be rejected repeatedly. The singer is accompanied by actress Shin Suhyun, who is best known for her supporting role in the drama Woman Of 9.9 Billion. Fellow SEVENTEEN members Dino, DK, and Jun also make cameo appearances in the music video. Following the lyrics of the song that expresses the disappointment a lover faces when his affection isn’t reciprocated, the music video finds The8 in various adorable moments sprinkled with animated humor in an attempt to woo his crush. Being a performer and a fashion icon, he also shares his smooth choreography and sleek outfits in the video. At the end, Shin Suhyun’s character reciprocates his love and the two lovers walk away together. 

In contrast to his previous singles, “Dreams Come True” and the beautiful “那幕 (Falling Down),” the new track showcases a completely different side of The8. The song is a testament to his versatility as an artist and his ability to write, compose, and choreograph different styles of music. The “Side By Side'' music video also showcases his acting skills, a talent he has yet to truly show fans as he has so far focused more on performance for his solo releases. “Side By Side” is an exciting new step in The8’s growth as an artist in every aspect of the word. Watch the music video for the Korean version of the song below!