HOT

“HOT” by SEVENTEEN is a powerful anthem of ambition, confidence, and unwavering determination. The song's central message revolves around the group's journey to overcome their fears and obstacles, symbolized by the scorching sun, and ultimately to become as powerful and influential as the sun itself. It represents a pivotal moment of maturation for the group, shedding past images to embrace a more intense and audacious identity. The lyrics convey a relentless drive to forge their own path, breaking free from conventions and expectations. Phrases like “A chariot racing across the sun” and the declaration “We’ll rise high all of a sudden and become the sun” encapsulate this ambition. The song is a statement of their intent to have an undeniable impact on the world, spreading their energy and passion. It's a celebration of their own power and a call to embrace one's own inner fire and pursue dreams with unstoppable force.

The song ignites with a declaration, demanding everyone's attention as the artists portray themselves as a force of nature, a chariot racing across the sun itself. This imagery is immediately followed by the repeated, sensory word "Juicy," suggesting something rich, vibrant, and desirable. The atmosphere intensifies with the sound of a gunshot, signaling a powerful and spicy beginning, a moment where they decide to metaphorically shoot for the sun, embedding its fire within their hearts.

The narrative then shifts to a command to amplify the music, to race through the world without restraint. They are depicted with the sun at their backs, a powerful ally, as they honk a horn and set their own path ablaze. The lyrics question the notion of following others, advocating instead for forging their own unique way, turning up the heat to an unbearable degree for anyone trying to keep up. The world around them transforms; the day is without night, the sky a perpetual crimson, suggesting a reality where their light and energy are the only governing forces. Every breath is deep, every rhythm supercharged, as they bet their future on this sun of destiny, urging others to follow their lead.

The chorus is an explosive and repetitive assertion of their state: they are "dropping it like hot," feeling intensely "hot," and their music is "burnin' like hot." This refrain acts as the song's core identity, a confident and unwavering chant of self-assurance and power. The post-chorus builds on this, a call to action to set fire to the sun itself, to burn with an intense heat that compels everyone to sing along in a powerful, unified chorus.

The second verse deepens the narrative of their journey. Amidst a desert-like landscape, they drive through waves of sand, rejecting the need for second chances and betting everything on this present moment. The shadows that once followed them, a representation of their past doubts or struggles, are transformed into light by the very sun they now face. Their hearts burn with an undeniable, honest passion. The feeling becomes almost overwhelming, a sensation of bursting, with a heart that beats uncontrollably. The overcharged rhythm and vibe return, a knowing call that their path is clear.

The song culminates in a final, powerful assertion of their destiny. They declare that they will rise high and become the sun, embodying the very source of the heat and light they've been chasing. This transformation is the ultimate fulfillment of their ambition, cementing their status as a powerful, radiant force. The repeated chorus reinforces this triumphant climax, leaving a lasting impression of their unstoppable energy and fiery determination.

“HOT” was released on May 27, 2022, as the title track for SEVENTEEN's fourth full-length album, “Face the Sun”. The song was the final track to be written for the album. The creation of “HOT” was a collaborative effort, prominently featuring SEVENTEEN's own member Woozi, who is the group's primary producer and songwriter. He worked alongside frequent collaborator Bumzu, as well as international songwriters and producers Dan August Rigo and Ploypaworawan Praison (PRONG). According to Rigo, the memorable “Juicy, Juicy” line was an idea he and PRONG contributed to the track. Woozi stated in a press release that he felt “HOT” perfectly expressed the identity and state of SEVENTEEN at that time, capturing their ambition to become a powerful, sun-like presence. The group is known for being heavily involved in their own creative process, from music production to choreography, which allows them to tell their own stories authentically through their music.

“HOT” is characterized by a driving and intense rhythmic structure that underpins its high-energy message. The song has a tempo of approximately 112-113 beats per minute (BPM) and is composed in a 4/4 time signature, making it very danceable. The rhythm is built on a foundation of hard-hitting hip-hop percussion, which provides a constant sense of forward momentum. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the instrumental is crucial; the verses feature rapid-fire, almost percussive rap deliveries that align closely with the beat, while the pre-chorus stretches out melodically, creating a build-up of tension before the chorus hits. The chorus itself uses a simple, highly repetitive rhythmic phrase (“drop it like hot, hot, hot”) that is incredibly catchy and functions as a powerful rhythmic hook. The song's rhyme scheme is not strictly formal but relies on internal rhymes and assonance within the fast-paced rap verses to maintain flow and a sense of lyrical dexterity.

“HOT” employs a range of stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically, to create its aggressive and energetic atmosphere.

• Musical Techniques: The song is built upon a distinctive Western-inspired guitar riff that serves as its main hook. This is combined with hip-hop beats, car alarm samples, and a powerful bassline. A significant and somewhat polarizing production choice is the heavy use of autotune on the members' vocals, which adds a processed, electronic texture to the track, enhancing its modern and edgy feel. The song structure features a dynamic contrast between fast-paced verses, a vocally-driven pre-chorus that builds tension, and an explosive, repetitive chorus designed for impact.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics utilize powerful metaphors, primarily centered around the sun, heat, and fire, to convey themes of ambition and passion. The central conceit of becoming the sun is a powerful hyperbole that frames the group's ultimate goal. Repetition is a key device, especially in the chorus with the insistent chant of “hot, hot, hot,” which makes the song highly memorable and anthemic. The narrative voice is one of extreme confidence and defiance, directly challenging listeners and conventions.

Upon its release, “HOT” achieved significant success, solidifying SEVENTEEN's status as a top-tier K-pop group. The song was the title track of their fourth studio album, “Face the Sun,” which sold over 2.2 million copies in the month of May 2022 alone and debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart. The song itself performed well on domestic charts, topping major sites like Melon and Bugs. Internationally, it charted in nine countries and reached number one on Singapore's Regional chart. The music video was also a massive success, becoming the group's fastest to reach 100 million views on YouTube, and later surpassing 200 million views. “HOT” received critical acclaim and won several awards, including two South Korean music program awards, Best Dance Performance at the Asian Pop Music Awards, and Best Performance at the Golden Disc Awards. It was also nominated for Best K-Pop at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2022. The song was a staple of their “Be The Sun” World Tour, often serving as a high-energy opening number that set the tone for the rest of the concert.

The lyrics and music video for “HOT” are rich with symbolism that reinforces its central themes of ambition and transformation.

• The Sun: The most dominant symbol is the sun. It represents the ultimate goal, a source of immense power and influence that SEVENTEEN aspires to become. They are not just facing the sun, but actively aiming to embody its heat and light, symbolizing their desire to be a major force in the music world. The concept of “shooting the sun” further illustrates their bold and unconventional approach to achieving their dreams.
• The Desert: The desert setting in the music video symbolizes a harsh, challenging environment. By performing powerfully within this barren landscape, the group demonstrates their resilience and their ability to thrive and create energy even under the most difficult conditions.
• Fire and Heat: The recurring imagery of fire, burning, and heat directly translates to the group's passion, energy, and the intensity of their ambition. The title itself, “HOT,” encapsulates this fiery determination.
• Western Tropes: The use of Western-inspired guitar riffs and visual elements like standoffs in the music video serves as a metaphor for being pioneers. It positions SEVENTEEN as trailblazers in a new, untamed frontier, forging their own rules and path.
• Weapons and Bullets: The appearance of weapons, such as Vernon holding a smoking bullet, symbolizes a more daring, mature, and aggressive approach. It signifies their readiness to fight for their goals and break through barriers.

The most prominent recurring phrase in “HOT” is the song's title itself, repeated insistently in the chorus: “We're drop it like hot, hot, hot / Oh, jigeum feelin' so hot / I norae burnin' like hot, hot, hot, hot.” This repetition serves as the song's central hook, drilling the core concept of intense heat and energy into the listener's mind. It's a declaration of their current state and the impact of their music. Another key recurring motif is the imagery of the sun (“Taeyang”). The song opens with the line “A chariot racing across the sun” and culminates in the resolution, “We’ll rise high all of a sudden and become the sun.” This motif frames the entire narrative of the song, representing their journey from aspiring to embodying ultimate power and brilliance. The phrase “Juicy, juicy” also appears multiple times, acting as a textural and sensory hook that adds a layer of swagger and richness to their confident persona.