K-Event Coverage: Indian Carats Celebrated SEVENTEEN’s 11th Anniversary in Bengaluru & Delhi

Writers: Diksha, Riya Choudhary (Delhi, India), Cynthia Gonsalves, and Harini (Bengaluru, Karnataka, India)

Editor: Pooja Vishwanathan (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

SEVENTEEN, widely known for being a self-producing K-pop group under Pledis Entertainment, completed their 11-year journey in the K-pop industry. Throughout their career, they made their name for having the best synchronization and delivering the most powerful performances at every stage, earning titles such as ‘Performance Kings’, ‘K-pop Performance Powerhouse’, and ‘Kings of Synchronization’ from domestic and international media outlets. Their fans, whom they lovingly call Carats, came together in Bengaluru & Delhi to celebrate SEVENTEEN & rejoice in how much they have grown alongside Carats over the past 11 years. We connected with fans and organizers in the said cities, who shared their positive experiences.

CARATLAND: 11th Cloud in Bengaluru

On 24th May, Carats living in Bengaluru united at CARATLAND: 11th Cloud event, held at goBoho Café, HSR Layout. The event began with a warm welcome from the organizers and a box office entry, which included a freebie cover with postcards, PCs, and foodstubs, while SVT music played to make it more exciting. The organizers hosted SVT-themed games like Imposter, Bingo, and Liar Liar. It was so much fun seeing people who knew all the answers but still tried to lie their way through the games. The attendees were then greeted with an amazing menu, created especially by goBoho café for this event, including custom drinks like the white & blue cloud, created specifically for this event. While fans chomped, they held a screening of various SVT stage performances, where fans got to relive the time to watch SEVENTEEN perform for Carats, make up their own skits, and be their funny selves. During the screening, attendees laughed, cried, screamed, and Aju Nice-d at the end.

The dancers Harini, Mayur, Anna, and Unnathi brought their energy to the CARATLAND event through their performances. There was also a great merch stall set up by Uribooenthusiast with some amazing official SVT merch on sale. The café also gave away random PCs with all orders made by attendees. The event wrapped up with a cake cutting, a group photo, and SVT hits playing throughout the end.

Attendees Experience

Cynthia G

 I have attended multiple SVT events conducted by Seventeen Bangalore Fanbase & svtindiancaratsofficial. They are always fun, always something to look forward to, always entertaining. I always come back home feeling completely satisfied & whole! I would 1000% recommend their events.

Harini

The most memorable part of the event was when my sister and I sang our favourite 17 songs out loud without any inhibitions, because we knew we were surrounded by like-minded people who were btw also singing their lungs out. And a little back story, Corona was a tough time for everyone and it was the same for  my sister and I. We coped with it by listening to SVT songs, the way they can easily uplift with their cheerful lyrics. It was something that we held on to during tough times so SVT will always hold a special place in my heart, also TMI too I have a 17 tattoo, which will always remind me of how resilient I am, and that is something I learned from 17 and how they went through all those hardships and they  Addressed them and they did not shy from telling that it might be hard But there’s always a silver lining and that is something that always has resonated with me and yeah, so this 11th, your caratland is yet another amazing time that I had with my sister and we hope to go to one of their concert once all of them finish up with their military service and dance To ‘AJU NICE ‘ 100 times more.

Anusha Bhat

It’s always nice to spend time with CARATs. It felt great to celebrate SEVENTEEN’s 11th anniversary with the fellow CARATs. Thanks to Seventeen Bangalore Fanbase for organising such a wonderful event every time. The best part was meeting people who also love SEVENTEEN as much as I do and sharing our favorite memories of the group. It’s difficult to choose just one memorable moment, as I enjoyed every minute with the fellow CARATs. We had a watch party of some cute and funny SVT moments, played GOING SEVENTEEN games and sang along to SEVENTEEN songs that took us down memory lane. The whole event was memorable.

Organizers Statement

Bhoomika Venkatesh  (Seventeen Bangalore Fanbase)

We started SVT Bengaluru page back in 2022 solely to make a community for Carats to engage, share and spread love for Seventeen. As someone who had been a Carat for almost two years by 2022, it wasn’t a difficult decision for me to get started with this project. And, as I met fellow Carats who are absolute gems of this community, it grew, became what it is today, and we all carry such a special bond with each other. When the space became more than just a small group chat, the team grew with it. I found people who think likewise and wanted to be the core of this community.

Planning this event wasn’t an easy task for sure. We had to coordinate across different time zones with an endless list of vendors, assets, elements, plans, alternatives, and so much more. Having a team who can pull this off so effortlessly is such a huge blessing!

Bhargavi from our team, who was the main point of communication for me (who currently is based in Milan), was telling me how recreating GoSe games was one of the most exciting experiences ever. It’s something that both the hosts and the audience enjoy. And how these events are like a fresh breath of break with a touch of fandom culture. One of my other teammates Hiba said how big of a responsibility it is to pull off such an event, but of course with a great team everything seems so sorted and aligned! Meeting up with fellow Carats is the most interesting part for her! Which is so true because as a fandom, we are always connected virtually through music and online stan culture, but to make such a thing an in person reality is just magic!

Like, one of our admins Sarbani said, “Since moving to Bangalore, I have always wanted a community. Being a Carat gave me that. And the best part of being an admin of such caratland events is pouring the heart out into making screening videos and seeing the other carats enjoy them.” It makes me realise how important it is to cherish such a community and keep it going! And Veronica, one of our teammates, didn’t hesitate to express her joy about meeting so many people with the same interest and enthusiasm for the artist we so dearly love! Playing the same games as them and celebrating their success with so much pride seems like just the fun day filled with good memories and positive energy we all need.

I just really hope we can keep doing it forever. Until the last “say the name” and for eternity and beyond! We still have the same energy, enthusiasm, passion, love and immense respect for the artist Seventeen are! We hope to make our forever happen and see our dearest Bengaluru Carats at our next year’s Caratland event.

SEVENTEEN: Track 11 in DELHI

On 24th May, SVT Delhi Fanbase organized the Seventeen: Track 11 event at Mila’s Mama Kitchen, Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi. It was the 4th event organized by the SVT DELHI fanbase. The event took off with an energetic introduction where all attendees shared their names, their biases, hugs, love, and their chaotic energies together. As everyone was getting close to each other, the admin tried to break the ice through an individual game of “Guess who: Rapid fire”. In this game, they all individually had 30 seconds to guess the K-pop/K-drama artists as many as they could. It was a fun game to play; the rush of dopamine fans had while those few seconds were insane. Keeping the rush alive, organizers revealed a surprise giveaway, and the prizes were insanely good- official merch from their albums. Also, a fellow Carat did her personal giveaway where she brought the goodies all the way from Korea, one more reason to love this fandom.

Delhi Carats were enjoying themselves, and then organizers started the second game, 3-6-9. Fans played it with a lot of laughter and heartbreak; winners got the prizes, and the rest of them got to meet some gems, who they will keep close to their hearts. The event ended with a mandatory cake-cutting session, group pictures, and prize distribution. Kudos to the admins who did such a good job in organizing a thoughtful and fun event for Delhi Carats and SEVENTEEN. The freebies were so preciously customized, and photocards hold a part of every attending carat’s heart.

Attendee’s Experience

Diksha

For me personally, I have attended all of their events so far, they are such a lovely people. At this point, more than celebration, I look forward to meeting these cuties and spending a good time playing games, and talking about our fangirling and daily life. The most memorable part of the event was the 3-6-9 game. I wanted to win, and played it with whole heart and soul just to come second as always. Hahaha. The support, the eyes of everyone looking at me making me feel like I can do it this time and the sad faces when I said the number a little delayed. The people I know for a year now are my new family I found when I needed one the most. Thank You.

Organizers Experience

Manjusha (Seventeen Delhi Fanbase)

Organising events for carats is the most fun thing to do. It was really  exciting to host the event. I always look forward to meeting fellow carats and this event gave another chance to meet them. The event was really fun with games, good food and lucky draw. In short, when everyone gathered it felt like GoSe.

Abhipsha (Seventeen Delhi Fanbase)

As always, it was another nice experience with everyone. I love the way we organize and bring so many people together. Organizing events is for fun and to bring a little fun with a fangirling side. This time the most memorable moment was the giveaways, we had lucky draws but there was one Korean carat among us, Rosa, she gave official SEVENTEEN merchandise as a giveaway, and everyone was so happy. And yes the games were the most memorable for me.

Conclusion

The SEVENTEEN 11th Debut Anniversary events in Bengaluru and Delhi, with the support of SEVENTEEN INDIAN CARATS Fanbase, were an easy space to fangirl about SEVENTEEN, discuss the members that all Carats support, and the ones they are biased to. Just like SEVENTEEN, Carats were also not short on energy, so both events were filled with chaotic energy from Carats and their admiration for the group. Indian Carats are looking forward to seeing that day when SEVENTEEN, with all 13 members, visit India. Till then, they promise to continue blasting love and energy from India.

Did you all attend the Track 11 SEVENTEEN events? What is your favourite SEVENTEEN song? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.