It only takes a few seconds to browse K-Pop fan spaces online to come across SeventeenIt’s Mingyu.

The 27-year-old rapper, a member of the hit K-Pop boy group Seventeen, is a favorite online for his charming personality and cool Instagram posts. Seriously, the Pop Base social media account should probably take out a dictionary every time he posts a photo.

Seventeen is in the middle of the U.S. leg of its five-city “Seventeen (Right Here)” world tour, including two stops in Los Angeles. Before hitting the road, Mingyu chatted with The Hollywood Reporter on Zoom, taking a break from his hectic rehearsals for the tour and the 13-member group’s latest EP, Pour out the sensations.

“It’s currently 11:00 a.m. in Korea and my whole body hurts,” says the rapper cheekily. THR preparations for the album and the tour. Mingyu explains the rather complex schedule of preparing for the tour, releasing the album and performing in Seoul.

The tour concludes in Los Angeles next weekend, where the band will perform two sold-out shows at BMO Stadium. It’s an exciting weekend for the group. Today, Mingyu’s group member Joshua from Los Angeles accepted a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Seventeen from the Los Angeles City Council. The group also has a significant planned pop-up in town for the tour finale.

Amidst an already busy and busy year for Seventeen, Mingyu delved into the world of style. Earlier this year he received a brand ambassador to luxury fashion house Dior. In a social media post announcing Mingyu’s new role, Dior described it as “the perfect embodiment of the Dior aesthetic.” He also starred in a new Calvin Klein campaign, showcasing its range in a variety of denim looks.

Below, Mingyu talks about his personal style on and off stage, his style inspirations, and how he feels about his viral appearance at Dior Paris Fashion Week.

How would you describe your current style?

I am sporty. I love working out, and I’m also an energetic person, and my job is as a singer who dances on stage, so I think I tend to go for casual outfits and comfortable outfits.

How do you feel about your style on stage compared to your style off stage? Like you said, you’re a little more laid back off stage and on stage your style is probably a little more exaggerated.

I think it’s very difficult to compare my style on and off stage. Like you said on stage, obviously you have to be full of glitz and glamour. Whereas offstage, I tend to go for styles that don’t really stand out and are understated (but) unique to me.

How do you think your style has evolved over the years?

To be honest, I think early in my career, right after we started, I think I was overdoing it because I really wanted to show off and show what I had. I think I was discovering who I was. Whereas now, I’ve learned, I’ve discovered that what suits me best is things that are casual and natural. I’ve learned that outfits can be a way to express myself, but I don’t care about that in itself. But, even now, there are days when I want to wear flashy, showy outfits.

You had what can only be described as a viral moment at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year with the Dior show. Do you remember how you felt at that moment? How do you feel after seeing that your appearance received such a good response?

Fashion Week is something I have always dreamed of and wanted to participate in since I was very young. I was beyond excited to be there with the Dior team and I think I enjoyed every moment. I had a great and fun experience from the time I walked in to the time I left after the show was over. It was an honor because I know it matters to a large part of Parisian culture. After learning that the video had gone viral and I was getting a lot of attention, I was a little shy and embarrassed. But it was a very inspiring experience because watching the show and thinking about the thoughts and creative processes behind each of the outfits and the meaning that each of the clothes carries was very inspiring. It was almost like watching an exhibition, so I think I would like to say that every little aspect of the experience was very exciting and inspiring.

Congratulations for the ambassador. Why do you think Dior was the right place for you in this space?

Dior has always been one of my favorite brands with its relaxed, simple but natural, graceful and glamorous vibe. In this sense, it is something that the Dior brand and I have in common. Realistically, I think the day I went to see the Dior women’s collection… I mean, that moment was not only a moment of inspiration for me, but a good starting point for both of us.

What do you hope from the ambassador? Do you have anything you really hope to do while you’re a brand ambassador?

The first thing I’d like to do right now is go to the men’s collection show. This time, I went to see the women’s collection. I’ve done a lot of photoshoots with Dior and made sure to wear Dior on important occasions, but I haven’t visited a men’s collection yet. I haven’t met Kim Jones (creative director of Dior Homme) in person, so I would like to meet him and talk about his creative process. This is number one for me right now.

It feels like a rite of passage for celebrities to do a Calvin Klein campaign. How did you feel when you found out you were going to do one? What made you excited or nervous about getting started?

It’s very hard to say what exactly because it was all exciting, and I felt nervous and excited about it all. I think Calvin Klein is a brand that everyone, regardless of age, loves and appreciates. I know how strong a mainstream presence the brand has, so I was very nervous about whether I could be the best fit for the brand and whether I could properly embody the brand identity.

Do you have a favorite moment from filming or afterwards? Did anyone around you react to seeing the photos?

When we were doing the photo shoots… showing a little skin was something that was very unique to me this time around. There were a lot of Calvin Klein global team members on set, which was also a little nerve-wracking, but exciting. They were very kind and encouraging. I tried to keep a cool head and ask myself if I was really okay objectively. Once the photo shoot and campaign were over, it was a little strange, but very exciting to see this play out, not just on people’s cell phones, but on billboards and in all the major stores across the country. It was a very, very enriching experience. I had a great time. But I haven’t seen the billboards or ads in person, but I’ve heard a lot about it, so I’d love to go see it in person someday.

Do you have someone who inspires you in terms of fashion?

I think I’m inspired by models who work overseas because I don’t see myself as someone who really has a lot of personality in my style. I’m also inspired by NBA basketball players and what they wear on the court. I view outfits as a work of art and I like to imagine which outfits would be the best choice at a fancy dinner or when going to the traditional market, because I believe there are outfits that can really highlight this moment and add an additional layer. of energy at certain moments of time. I try to imagine myself in different situations depending on the outfit.

Do you have anything you’d like to say to Carats (the name of the band’s fanbase) right now or just as you prepare for this next chapter?

We will soon celebrate our 10th anniversary. We release a new album every year. We did a lot of touring as well. So moving forward, we just want to continue paying attention to the smallest details when it comes to our albums and promotions.

And to the fans, Carats, who have sent us a lot of love and support, I just want to say that we will do our best to return all this love and energy through great scenes and performances. I just want to see them. and contact them as regularly and frequently as possible, so even if we see each other for an hour and I have to take a 30 hour flight, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it because I love them so much.