Lyrics by: HansolVernon, THE 8, Robb Roy
Composed by: HansolVernon, THE 8, Robb Roy, Numbernine, MILLENNIUM, kimj
Arranged by: Numbernine, MILLENNIUM
Whose idea was it to write about your friendship?
VERNON: The top line was done by Robb Roy. When we do the first draft of top lines, we do gibberish instead of actual words. We made THE 8 record it, and it sounded like “friend.” That’s where the whole idea started. It’s called “Friend,” and we’re talking about friends, but if you look closely at the lyrics, it’s more so about our fans. And “friend” kind of sounds similar…
Fans will definitely pick up on some of the Easter eggs in the lyrics. How was it to reflect on 11 years of memories?
VERNON: When we first started writing the lyrics, we talked about what kind of lyrics would be something that only fans would know, but not too weird for other people to listen to at the same time. That made us just talk about very personal experiences related to SEVENTEEN. I talk about our old green dance studio, which we called the Melona studio because of the Korean melon ice cream.
THE 8: I also turned the titles of SEVENTEEN songs into lyrics. And I talked about a special memory with fans and yellow roses.
What’s the memory?
THE 8: There was a time when SEVENTEEN was number one on a music show, and we received a bouquet along with the award. As I left work, I ran to the fans who were waiting and gave them yellow roses. It was a beautiful moment to me.
Yellow flowers are also apparently a symbol for friendship.
THE 8: I guess it’s fate, I had no idea.
Robb Roy’s been a collaborator of SEVENTEEN’s since 2022, and he’s worked with both of you on solo projects.
VERNON: He’s always been a close friend of mine. He was a graphic designer, but just so knowledgeable about music. He knew so many songs, and I loved his taste in music. I just thought, like, “Why don’t we just make songs together?” And it clicked. Since then, he’s been pretty serious in making music, and he’s such a trustworthy collaborator for both me and THE 8.
Does it feel easier to write with people you have that sort of long-standing history with?
VERNON: Working with someone who knows you so well, it’s easier to make something that feels extremely true to you. I think it’s something listeners would catch, as well. The trueness within the song.
THE 8: Beyond that, it just felt right — we had a mutual respect for each other, and we’ll probably continue to work together.
What’s the story behind the audio sample at the beginning?
VERNON: When we were just about to complete the song, I felt like it needed some dialogue at the beginning, so I asked our fans if they could find any interviews THE 8 did when he was younger. I came across this one interview he did when he was in China, where he was in elementary school and the leader of his breakdancing crew. The interviewer asked him what he wants to be when he grows up, and his initial answer was, “I want to be a star.”
That was so shocking to me because I’ve never thought that way, or even said something close to that in my life. It made me look back on when he first came to Korea to be a trainee, all alone. He didn’t even speak any Korean. He just worked his way through everything. And look where we’re at now.
