I’ve been a Kpop fan for a long time now and with how many groups I’ve known, I’ve never seen dynamics like this.
It’s so fascinating how fiercely they’ve adapted a family dynamic so quickly.
Considering they adapted this same formation flying in and out of China—their first overseas travel as a group—this was clearly intentional. This was planned.
Some fans call it a “wolf pack formation” and I’m inclined to agree: the strongest ones on the outside protecting the vulnerable ones inside.
The amount of thought and consideration that went into positioning Daisuke too—their maknae, who is nine years younger than their leader, Steven—to be protected from all sides by all his hyungs is both touching and clever.
Steven and Woongki being at the front and back of the pack is intentional too, as the longest active idols in the industry, because they have the experience to act if things go south.
And the fact that they’re a group made up of six nationalities—Australian, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese—it’s riveting to see how they all come together to protect each other.
They clearly don’t have enough bodyguards (yet), so it seems as if the hyungs took it upon themselves to protect their dongsaengs—even making sure that a hyung is literally partnered with a dongsaeng to protect: JL to Juwon, Han to Daisuke, Shuaibo to Chihen.
And Jeongwoo, the only one among them who has already completed his military service, positioned in the front of the pack with Steven.
And their maknae. God, no one is touching Daisuke without going through all eight of his hyungs first, and I’m so grateful a kid like him—who shouldn’t even be in this industry so young—has all eight of them looking out for him.
