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SEVENTEEN and TWICE may belong to different companies, but their bond has lasted almost as long as their careers. Both groups debuted in 2015, and over the years, their friendship has grown naturally, with moments of fun, support, and lighthearted teasing. That closeness was on full display recently when TWICE’s Jihyo marked her 20th year in the K-pop industry, and SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan was among the friends celebrating the milestone.
During the event, Seungkwan shared a funny story about his first encounter with JYP Entertainment, the label behind TWICE. Jihyo had mentioned that she became a JYP trainee way back in 2005, initially joining as an acting trainee. Seungkwan couldn’t help but jump in, half-jokingly saying he was jealous because, unlike her, he had actually failed his own audition for JYP in 2010. Laughing about it, he explained that the main reason he tried out was that JYP was the only agency at the time that came all the way to Jeju Island, where he grew up. “If you dig through their old hard drives, you’ll probably find me in there somewhere,” he quipped, leaving everyone amused.
Seungkwan went on to joke about feeling a little “salty” toward the TWICE members because of his failed attempt, but he made it clear it was all in good humor. Over time, what started as playful envy turned into genuine friendship, and now both groups share years of happy memories together.
One moment that particularly helped strengthen that bond was when Seungkwan and fellow SEVENTEEN member Mingyu spent time with Jihyo’s family. Seungkwan recalled how Mingyu once invited him along to a campsite that happened to be run by Jihyo’s parents. That visit allowed him to spend time not only with Jihyo but also with her younger siblings, which helped them grow closer. He admitted that they weren’t instant friends at the start, but little moments like that camping trip helped lay the foundation for the long-lasting camaraderie they now share.
Jihyo’s anniversary celebration ended up being a warm and lively gathering that highlighted the unique friendships across different K-pop groups and agencies. Along with SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan and Mingyu, the guest list included TWICE’s Nayeon and Jeongyeon, GOT7’s BamBam, DAY6’s Sungjin, and I.O.I’s Sejeong and Nayoung—showing just how intertwined and supportive the K-pop community can be behind the scenes.