SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu and BTS’ Jungkook have long been known as one of K-pop’s most adored friendships, blending star power, genuine camaraderie, and cheeky humor. Despite coming from two different groups under different labels, their bond has always stood out—solidified through legendary year-end performances and off-stage moments with their mutual circle of celebrity friends. This group, affectionately dubbed the “97-liner squad,” includes names like SEVENTEEN’s DK and The8, GOT7’s BamBam and Yugyeom, ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo, and NCT’s Jaehyun. There have even been rumors that Stray Kids’ Bang Chan is also part of the crew. While their meetups have been less visible lately—especially following Jungkook’s enlistment—fans haven’t stopped hoping for their next joint moment. And it seems Mingyu might just deliver.
During a Weverse livestream on July 13, Mingyu caught fans up on his current whirlwind schedule, admitting he’s been so on-the-move he doesn’t even know what the rest of SEVENTEEN is up to most days. He spoke candidly about recent rumors surrounding his upcoming unit debut with group leader S.Coups and expressed awe at how quickly news spreads. But perhaps the most exciting part of the live came when he addressed a fan question about Jungkook and the possibility of doing the Thunder dance challenge with him.
Without missing a beat, Mingyu read the comment and smiled before saying, “Jungkook Thunder challenge? Jungkook isn’t in South Korea. He probably isn’t in South Korea. If we have a chance to meet, we’ll film it. Since we’re not in a rush to get it done.” The casual yet sincere promise was enough to reignite hope among fans who adore the chemistry and playfulness that Jungkook and Mingyu bring every time they’re on screen together.
The two have already given fans several iconic interactions over the years. Most notably, their viral dance collab on SEVENTEEN’s Super sent the internet into a frenzy, not just for the killer synchronization but also for the hilarious skit that preceded it. Mingyu, ever the dramatic hoobae, bowed repeatedly to an unbothered Jungkook, playing up the sunbae-hoobae dynamic in a mock-serious way before both of them nailed the routine. Mingyu later returned the love by posting dance covers of Jungkook’s solo hits Seven and 3D, further feeding the fandom’s obsession with their duo moments.
Their dynamic is a blend of mutual admiration, light-hearted banter, and a deep sense of familiarity that feels refreshingly authentic. Whether it’s a dance challenge, a skit, or just a few words exchanged online, fans are more than eager to witness their reunion—whenever it may be. With Mingyu now confirming that he’s open to filming the Thunder challenge once their paths align, it’s clear that their iconic friendship still runs strong, even with distance and duty in between.