SEVENTEEN Becomes First K-Pop Group to Perform a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR Headquarters

SEVENTEEN became the first K-pop group to ever film a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Members Joshua, Mingyu, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino performed a 10-song set filled with live vocals, band arrangements, and relaxed interaction, showcasing the group’s 11-year artistry.

While many K-pop artists have appeared on Tiny Desk through Home Edition videos, SEVENTEEN is the first to physically visit the NPR office and perform behind the iconic desk. This milestone marks another significant recognition of K-pop within U.S. mainstream media.

NPR noted that the members were visibly nervous before recording but quickly relaxed thanks to the support of Carats and NPR staff present. The intimate atmosphere stood in contrast to their stadium-scale world tour, and the performance soon trended worldwide after release.

The performance opened with 'Super' and included 'Darl+ing,' '_WORLD,' 'To You,' 'SOS,' 'Rock with you,' 'CLAP,' 'HOT,' and ended with their iconic encore track 'VERY NICE.' Since DK lost his voice and couldn't participate, the five members rearranged the songs within a day—earning praise from NPR for their professionalism.

Korean entertainment outlets highlighted that SEVENTEEN’s in-person appearance at Tiny Desk represents NPR’s acknowledgment of K-pop’s musical capability. They emphasized how the group prioritized musical content by filming Tiny Desk during their global tour, offering fans a new perspective through stripped-down arrangements.

SEVENTEEN is currently on their WORLD TOUR, performing across major U.S. cities, Hong Kong, and soon Japan’s four major domes. The Tiny Desk appearance is considered a special stop within this tour, generating massive discussion among global Carats.

With its intimate setting, live band, and relaxed interactions, SEVENTEEN’s Tiny Desk performance marks a new milestone for K-pop in U.S. media. The 30-minute set offers fans a rare, stripped-down look at the group, making it one of the most notable global stages of 2025.

【KStarLoud Analysis】Strategically, SEVENTEEN’s Tiny Desk appearance functions as a carefully placed branding waypoint within their world tour rather than just another piece of overseas content. Stadiums and domes secure mass visibility, while NPR—a platform trusted by music fans and critics—spotlights their credentials as a live band-ready act. Historically, K-pop groups have entered U.S. mainstream via late-night shows or award stages; Tiny Desk, by contrast, is a venue where arrangement, vocal color, and musical chemistry sit under a microscope. By showing up as a five-member unit with reworked line distributions and a live band setup, SEVENTEEN effectively hand over a “musicianship calling card” to global tastemakers. It strengthens the narrative that they are not only spectacle-driven performers, but artists capable of holding their own in any intimate room—an image that will pay dividends for future solo projects, sub-unit plans, and the long-term touring lifecycle of the group.