ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – The City of Los Angeles honour K-pop boy band Seventeen has been honoured with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their contributions to music and youth empowerment.
The award was presented on Friday at a special ceremony hosted by the LA City Council, with the group’s LA-born member, Joshua, accepting the honour on behalf of the 13-member group.
Joshua, who was born and raised in Los Angeles before moving to South Korea to pursue his music career, expressed his pride in the recognition.
“There are traces of my childhood all over LA,” he said.
“To see LA City Hall, Hollywood, and Koreatown all take part in ‘Seventeen the City LA’ and join us and our fans, Carats, in celebrating this final stop on our US tour is an experience I’ll never forget.”
The group was recognised for launching the Seventeen the City Los Angeles project, which kicked off on Thursday. The initiative has transformed downtown LA, with Seventeen-themed colours and displays adorning iconic landmarks, giving the city a unique, K-pop flair.
Joshua also reflected on the similarities between Seventeen and LA, highlighting the shared sense of diversity and creativity.
“LA thrives on the endless possibilities that diversity creates, and Seventeen is the same. The 13 of us have come together with different personalities and tastes to create a unique and dynamic spirit.”
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who invited Joshua to the council meeting, praised Seventeen for their positive impact both on and off the stage.
“Seventeen has not only set records in music but has also used their platform to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “They embody the community spirit we proudly celebrate here in Los Angeles.”
The Seventeen the City Los Angeles project will run through to Monday, coinciding with the group’s two sold-out performances at LA’s BMO Stadium this weekend, marking the grand finale of their US tour.
