REVIEW: Seventeen’s ‘Power of Love: The Movie’ is a heartfelt dedication to Carats—and a bittersweet return to pre-pandemic times

Do all things with love—a timely reminder that Seventeen has taken to heart for the past seven years.

The “seven-year itch” is a terrifying time for K-pop groups and fans. Usually, it marks the end of an idol’s career, an inevitable decline in star power, or a so-called career limbo. For a group that’s been around for seven years, Seventeen is one of the lucky few who remained strong, and that’s because of love. 

As Woozi puts it best in SEVENTEEN Power of Love: The Movie, “Someone once told me, ‘I found the strength to live thanks to your music.’ I learned it works the other way round, too. That’s how I feel about our fans. I’m becoming a person that finds the strength to live, thanks to them.”

The film, which is described as a “love letter in movie form” to Carats, or Seventeen’s dedicated group of fans, is a culmination of the 13-member group’s growth from their debut—where love is the center of their prosperous career. 

Power of Love: The Movie takes viewers on a sentimental journey of Seventeen’s seven-year career from never-before-seen footage to swoon-worthy performances that show the members’ ability to sing, dance, and perform. As if opening the film with the kilig-inducing Crush is more than perfect to start. 

One of the most notable moments of the film, however, is the members’ interviews where they talk about their respective idol careers, childhood dreams, what sets the Vocal team apart from the Hip-Hop and Performance teams and vice versa, and their love for Carats. To put in fangirl lingo, why can’t DK and Vernon marry me already?

Though Woozi’s apparent self-denial about being a singer is the most relatable soundbites of the group’s solo ‘ments. “I thought it couldn’t come true. Like, ‘This isn’t my dream.’ I denied it.” These words alone, it solidifies why Seventeen continues to touch fans’ hearts through the years. 

Captivating performances aside, one of the standouts of the film is the members opening up about holding concerts during the pre-pandemic era. Like many artists, it’s an unsettling thought to be singing on an empty stage. And for Seventeen, the constant use of the phrases “I miss you” or “I want to see you again” describes one of the biggest frustrations of many performers today — as mundane as these words may seem.

Seventeen is not scared to share how the pandemic brought them closer as a family. The members gushed about how they’ve grown as individuals, leading to them becoming more of a family rather than merely a team. Jeonghan couldn’t have said it better himself: “Should I say we have become more attached?”

But this is not to say that the film is free from flaws. For avid fans of Seventeen (me included), the film is a heartfelt dedication and a documentary film of some sort to Carats. For newbies, it might take a bit of getting used to since it’s hard to watch a concert film if you don’t know many of the songs—unless you’re musically inclined.

Probably, newbies have to brush up on their Seventeen knowledge to appreciate the film in all its glory. For starters, the group has 13 members after all. 

Either way, it’s an enjoyable and fangirl scream-worthy film to watch. Returning to in-person concerts (minus the masks and health restrictions) might take time, but Seventeen’s charm, musicality, and performing abilities go beyond the theater screen. Plus, the boy group’s discography is God-tier after all.

If you’re able to make it through the film without screaming at S.coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon, Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, Seungkwan, Hoshi, Jun, The8, and Dino at least once, you’re a heck of a strong fangirl.