A New Duo Takes Shape at Noon and Midnight
Jeonghan and Joshua of Seventeen are introducing their first EP as a duo, Dreamscape, with seven tracks designed to unfold as one continuous story. Pledis Entertainment announced the release for October 19 at 6 p.m., led by "12 o'clock," a dance-rock song about pursuing dreams between noon and midnight.
Contents
- A New Duo Takes Shape at Noon and Midnight
- Seven Tracks Built to Tell One Story
- How 12 o'clock Found Its Sound
- A Surreal Train Sets the Visual Scene
- Finding a Sound That Belongs to Two People
- Both Singers Experimented With Their Voices
- A Return Supported by Years of Friendship
- From the Teaser to Concerts in Six Cities
- Key Points
The project brings two different milestones together. It is Jeonghan's first album since completing his mandatory alternative military service as a social service worker in June, and Joshua's first subunit project since his debut. A subunit is a smaller act formed by members of an existing group, giving them room to explore a different sound and working relationship.
For this pairing, the central idea is the double meaning of dreams: the images people experience while asleep and the ambitions they pursue while awake. That connection shapes the music, the order of the tracks and a visual world that includes a strange train and sweeping grasslands.
Joshua, a member of Seventeen and the new duo, explained the concept in comments released through Pledis Entertainment:
The album tells a story about the dreams we have while sleeping and the dreams we hope to achieve in real life, so there are elements throughout that blur the line between fantasy and reality.
Seven Tracks Built to Tell One Story
Jeonghan said the duo arranged the EP so that its seven songs would feel connected. The listening order is therefore part of the project: Joshua suggested starting with the first track and continuing through to the last as a journey shared with the singers.
Jeonghan, describing how the album was assembled, invited listeners to find their own meanings rather than follow a single explanation:
We put the album together hoping that all seven tracks would feel like one continuous story. I think you'll enjoy it even more if you interpret what each song means in your own way and uncover the hidden metaphors along the way.
A metaphor uses one image or idea to express another. Here, the movement between sleeping dreams and real ambitions gives listeners a starting point for interpreting the songs, while leaving room for different personal responses.
How 12 o'clock Found Its Sound
"12 o'clock" combines dance-rock with a modern interpretation of disco and funk from the 1970s and 1980s, according to the agency. Disco brings an emphasis on a steady dance rhythm, while funk places particular weight on the groove, the rhythmic pattern that gives music its sense of movement.
Jeonghan said the song began as a band track and developed into its final form during production. Watching that process made him especially attached to it. He also played it for other Seventeen members before release, and said they encouraged the pair by telling them the song suited them well.
The lead track follows the singers as they pursue the object of their dreams between midday and midnight. Those two moments share the same number on a clock but belong to very different parts of the day, giving the album's meeting of fantasy and reality a concrete image.
Joshua said the stage performance is another part of the song's appeal. Discussing the choreography prepared for the release, he said:
We've prepared choreography that really brings out our visuals and chemistry.
The duo's emphasis on movement makes the performance another way to experience the lead track, alongside its recording and music video.
A Surreal Train Sets the Visual Scene
The music video teaser released on October 18 introduced a train that appeared to be covered in snake scales, alongside a meadow with the appearance of a painting. The unusual surface of the train and the open landscape bring the dream concept into view before the full story unfolds.
The teaser places a familiar object, a train, in an unfamiliar form. That choice fits Joshua's description of a world where fantasy and reality meet: viewers can recognize what they are seeing while encountering something that would be strange in everyday life.
The imagery also gives the album's journey a visible setting. Alongside the changing hours in "12 o'clock" and the connected sequence of seven songs, the train supplies another image of travel through the world the duo has created.
Finding a Sound That Belongs to Two People
In a Q&A released to the press through Pledis Entertainment, Jeonghan and Joshua discussed production, vocal recording and their friendship.
Jeonghan said the main challenge was establishing a distinct identity for Jeonghan X Joshua within Seventeen's existing range of units. The pair discussed possible concepts and genres with each other and held extensive conversations with staff while preparing the EP.
Joshua said he participated actively in production and contributed ideas during the work on the songs. Some of the music they worked on did not reach the final track list, leaving seven selections that he said he was pleased with.
Their comments describe a project shaped through choices about what to include as well as what to leave out. For listeners familiar with the larger group, the duo is offering a more concentrated pairing of their voices and personalities.
Joshua described the personal effect of preparing the record:
Working on this album has given me new dreams and a renewed sense of passion. It's been an inspiring experience that has pushed me to grow.
That response connects the album's theme to the work behind it. While Dreamscape tells stories about pursuing ambitions, Joshua said making it also prompted ambitions of his own.
Both Singers Experimented With Their Voices
Jeonghan and Joshua, both members of Seventeen's vocal team, also approached the recording sessions as an opportunity to change how they sound. Jeonghan said he tried a fuller, firmer tone than usual and experimented with different approaches across the songs.
Joshua said he studied his own voice during recording to produce a deeper, more mature sound. The lead track pairs their relaxed, mature vocals with its dance rhythm, making the delivery of the singing part of the duo's musical identity.
A fuller vocal tone generally means a voice that sounds richer or more substantial, rather than simply louder. Both singers described paying attention to the texture and character of their voices, giving established fans something specific to listen for across the EP.
A Return Supported by Years of Friendship
Jeonghan's return to album promotions follows the completion of his service in June. He described a mixture of nerves and eagerness as he prepared to meet fans again:
I'm a little nervous since this is my first album project since returning from my military service, but more than anything, I can't wait to see our fans again.
Joshua's milestone is different: this is his first subunit project since debuting with Seventeen in 2015. The group began under Pledis Entertainment, which is now a label under HYBE, and has 13 members. This release brings two of those members into focus.
Jeonghan said he and Joshua entered the company as trainees around the same time and developed a relationship in which they rely on and encourage each other. He described Joshua as someone who keeps developing his musical identity, and said they turn to each other when facing difficulties or concerns.
Joshua said he felt Jeonghan's affection throughout the album preparations and believed their years of teamwork would be audible in the music. Their account of the partnership ties the new unit to a friendship formed well before this release.
From the Teaser to Concerts in Six Cities
The release is also the beginning of a performance schedule. Jeonghan and Joshua are set to hold concerts in six cities in Korea and overseas, beginning October 30. The cities and further performance dates were not specified in the announcement described here.
The project's key dates connect Jeonghan's return, the first glimpse of the music video and the next opportunity to perform for fans:
- June: Jeonghan completed his mandatory alternative military service.
- October 18: The "12 o'clock" music video teaser introduced the surreal train and meadow.
- October 19 at 6 p.m.: Pledis scheduled Dreamscape and its lead track for release.
- October 30: The duo's concert schedule is set to begin, covering six cities in Korea and overseas.
Both singers addressed Carats, the name of Seventeen's official fan club, while discussing the release. Jeonghan said the pair had put considerable time and care into preparing something new. Joshua said he was curious to hear how fans would respond and pointed to the approaching performances as the next part of the project.
Key Points
- Dreamscape is Jeonghan X Joshua's first EP as a duo, with seven tracks arranged as a continuous story.
- Pledis announced the release for October 19 at 6 p.m.
- Lead track "12 o'clock" combines dance-rock with disco and funk influences.
- The album connects dreams experienced during sleep with ambitions pursued in real life.
- Both singers experimented with fuller or more mature vocal sounds.
- The release marks Jeonghan's first album after service and Joshua's first subunit project since debut.
- Concerts in six cities in Korea and overseas are set to begin October 30.






