"Lately, I've been chasing a rhythm," MINGYU says with a laugh. "Early to bed, early to rise, and starting the day with movement."
For the SEVENTEEN powerhouse, this isn't a fitness fad but a ritual that keeps him in top form. Regardless of how gruelling his schedule can be, he insists on a daily "sweat-out". Whether he's hitting the iron in the gym, pounding the pavement, or resetting in a sauna, the attainment of that physical catharsis is non-negotiable.
"After I sweat, I feel awake," he says. "That's when the day truly begins."
It may not sound like the typical language of someone in his 20s, but there is something inherently youthful about this need to move. To feel alive in one's body. Standing between the peak of youth and the dawn of maturity, MINGYU has, at this pivotal moment, chosen to prioritise his health, which speaks volumes about his evolving mindset.
Rest, he says, was once something he didn't understand. Before, his energy was spent in one long, relentless burn. Then that's followed by more work, until the day came to a close.
"I finally realise now that a routine and scheduled rest are the true ways to recharge," he reflects. "I used to think lying down was a waste of time. Now, I see it as the best thing I can do for myself."
This shift gave him a distinct sense of equanimity and a rare sense of ease. It allowed him to navigate the crushing pressures of stardom with an unusual grace, because, in truth, the workload itself is rarely the hardest part of being an artist. The real challenge lies in maintaining quality, clarity, and commitment while being under pressure.
"When I'm stressed, I dream—a lot. Different dreams, and [it's] nonstop," MINGYU laughs. "It affects my sleep quality, but the upside is that I forget the stress very quickly."
He says it almost with gratitude. It sounds as though his body has a natural defence mechanism, a built-in protective protocol to reset and help him move forward.
One recent test came when SEVENTEEN took the stage for NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert—a stripped-down live performance sans elaborate choreography and pyrotechnics that are usually the staple in K-pop. For the Tiny Desk Concert, the focus is squarely aimed at the music.
"SEVENTEEN's songs are difficult to begin with," MINGYU notes. "Without the choreography to lean on, it was just our voices and the band."
Prior to the performance, the rehearsals were charged with such palpable tension that he was close to the point of questioning his existence.
But after the show ended, what replaced that anxiety was pure exhilaration. "It felt amazing," he says. "So much fun. And it made me realise how much more I needed to work on myself."
The experience acted as a mirror, sharpening his focus and igniting a fresh ambition. "I want people to hear a voice and immediately recognise it as 'That's MINGYU.'" For him, performance and music are inseparable; his goal is to deliver the most powerful stage presence paired with a voice that is unmistakably his.
To fans, MINGYU is often SEVENTEEN's visual centre. Asked what life might look like had he not become a global idol, he pauses. "I think I'd still be in a creative field," he says. "I've always been drawn to making something—imagining, designing, creating. Perhaps design, writing, or another form of creative work."
He trusts his innate curiosity would have led him to a realm of creativity regardless. In many ways, it is precisely this love for creation that guided him towards music in the first place and shaped the artist that he has become today.
Since childhood, MINGYU's path was never a straight line. Before becoming a trainee in his second year of middle school, he was a forward on his school's football team, earning second place in a national elementary school tournament. At one point, he thought football would be his future. But life gave him a detour when he started being awarded in model aeroplane competitions. Thereafter, his trajectory unexpectedly shifted once more and emerged as a member of SEVENTEEN that would go on to achieve global recognition.
Looking back, each turn was led by his curiosity, and now, he's in what he calls his "experimental stage."
"I'm currently in a 'testing phase' of my life," he says. "Testing new languages, new instruments, new musical styles—testing every possibility."
If time is on his side, he would focus on learning a language, then master an instrument.
And would that same curiosity extend beyond Korea? Has he ever thought about living elsewhere?
His answer to this is immediate and surprising. "If I could, I wouldn't want to stay in one place forever," he says. "I'd like to move cities every six or 12 months."
He begins calculating aloud, almost amused by the idea. "I'd probably have about 60 years left, right? That means I could live in 60 different places. I want to experience life as much as possible, a different air, the food, culture. I want to see it all."
It's a philosophy that aligns perfectly with his life motto: "If there's something you want to do, do it. If there's something you've never done, try it."
To MINGYU, youth is the period to explore the world: try everything, venture everywhere, feel it all, then decide what to keep later.
Despite his appetite for evolution, MINGYU does not seek change blindly. When it comes to criticism, he is, first and foremost, guided by his own principle.
"I can accept reasonable critique," he says firmly. "But if it's a matter of conflicting values and if I'm not in the wrong, I will hold my ground."
This discernment, this ability to choose what to absorb and what to resist, is perhaps the clearest sign of his growth.
"In some ways, I think my life right now can be considered successful," he reflects. "So, my next challenge is to maintain that success without wavering."
In his world, knowing what not to change is just as important as knowing when to.
With his motto as his compass, he trusts that life will provide the right arrangements. He may not know which city is next or what the next song will sound like, but MINGYU is already ready to go.
Photography: Jooyoung Ahn
Styling: Paddy Chan
Hair: Lim Jungho
Makeup: Son Gayoun
Wardrobe: Lim Jin
Production: Seraphic Studios
Translation: Tan Pin Yen
