Vogue Singapore June 2026 Cover Story
The Moment Everything Clicked
When does Seventeen’s Joshua feel the most confident? When he’s surrounded by his fans, naturally. “They embody us,” our June cover star quips, bringing us deeper into his present mindset: self-assured of exactly who he is and where he’s at in life right now.
That humility, that grounding in something bigger than himself—that’s the Joshua story. Not the flashy breakout, not the overnight sensation, but the quiet accumulation of moments that add up to something extraordinary.
He’s standing in front of the camera for Vogue Singapore’s June “Embody” issue, draped in Onitsuka Tiger styling that feels both effortless and intentional.
The light catches his profile just right. There’s no performative energy, no trying-too-hard glamour. Just presence.
“They embody us.” — Joshua on why fans make him feel most confident
From Los Angeles to Seoul: The Journey That Built Him
Born Joshua Hong in Los Angeles, the 30-year-old K-pop star carries a unique duality in his identity. American-born, Korean-raised, globally minded—he exists in the spaces between, and that’s exactly where his power lives.
His debut with SEVENTEEN in 2015 wasn’t just a launch; it was the beginning of a revolution. Thirteen members, three sub-units (vocals, hip-hop, performance), and a self-producing ethos that would redefine what K-pop could be. Joshua, part of the vocal team alongside Jeonghan, Jun, DK, and Seungkwan, brought a warm, ethereal quality that became the group’s emotional anchor.
Fast-forward to 2026, and SEVENTEEN’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing. Their SEVENTEEN WORLD TOUR [NEW_] ENCORE recently wrapped in Incheon, drawing a combined audience of more than 900,000 across seven months. All 13 members signaled their intention to renew their contracts—a rarity in an industry where change is almost expected.
For Joshua, this stability creates a steady backdrop for exploration. While the group operates at full scale, he’s able to pursue moments like this—fashion projects that feel quieter, but no less impactful.
Fashion as Language: The Art of Quiet Confidence
There’s something quietly compelling about the way Joshua Hong is moving through fashion right now. It’s not loud or overly styled, and that’s exactly the point.
Spotted on not one but two covers of PUSS PUSS Magazine—for both its UK and China editions—the Seventeen member isn’t just having a fashion moment; he’s carving out a space that feels more personal, more considered. Joshua became the first artist to front both editions since the China expansion in 2022, bridging audiences without overstatement.
In his Vogue Singapore editorial, the styling leans into restraint: proportion, texture, ease. Nothing overly complicated. It’s the kind of styling that doesn’t try too hard, which, ironically, is what makes it feel elevated.
His recent appearances only reinforce this evolution. At the 2026 Golden Globes, Joshua donned a sophisticated black suit adorned with a striking silver brooch, making him one of the early arrivals at the Beverly Hilton. His presence at this prestigious ceremony resulted from his collaboration with Lexus, where he holds the position of brand ambassador.
He’s also signed with United Talent Agency, with aspirations to broaden his career into acting. In January 2026, he attended Prada’s new store opening in Hong Kong, further cementing his position in high fashion. Most recently, he departed for Sichuan, China, to attend the high-profile “VOGUE Valley Vacation” fashion event.
“I’m constantly exploring what I truly like. I believe that after trying many different experiences, you can discover what you’re genuinely passionate about.” — Joshua on personal style
The Sound Behind the Spectacle
When Joshua talks about music, he talks about production. “As of lately, I’ve been trying to produce as much music as possible,” he says during the Vogue shoot.
“It’s not that easy. So, maybe Woozi, cuz he’s our producer. Probably on stage.”
That reverence for the craft—recognizing talent while honoring his own journey—is quintessential Joshua.
SEVENTEEN’s self-producing model means the group writes, composes, and choreographs much of their own material. Woozi, the group’s main producer, has been the creative engine, but Joshua’s voice adds a distinctive texture that cuts through every track.
From “Adore U” in 2015 to “God of Music” in 2023, SEVENTEEN’s discography has evolved from bubbly teen crush to sophisticated pop that defies genre boundaries. Each era brought reinvention: the innocent charm of 17 Carat, the mature darkness of Teen, Age, the self-love anthem of Face the Sun, and the playful confidence of FML.
Joshua’s vocal tone—warm, crystalline, emotionally direct—has become the group’s emotional throughline. Whether delivering the haunting pre-chorus of “Very Nice” or the tender bridge of “Home;Run,” he brings a vulnerability that makes massive stadium performances feel intimate.
Carats and the Culture They Built
SEVENTEEN’s fandom, Carats, isn’t just a fanbase—it’s a movement. The name comes from the idea that each fan is a small diamond that, together with others, makes SEVENTEEN shine like a precious gem.
When Joshua says fans make him feel most confident, he’s not being poetic. He’s being literal. “Whenever we have a concert, all our fans surround us and just embody us. So that’s when I feel the most confident cuz I know they love us and I know they love me,” he explains. “So and just like the cheers and just seeing the way that our fans look at us really makes me feel confident.”
That reciprocal energy defines SEVENTEEN’s global resonance.
Carats don’t just consume content; they create it. They organize voting campaigns, protect the group’s reputation, and show up in numbers that consistently break records. The protein of fandom here is participation, not passive admiration.
Joshua’s groundtrip to the Super Bowl and Golden Globe Awards—experiences that “would never have come my way without Seventeen”—reflects this symbiotic relationship. “Every moment, I realise what a huge blessing it is to be a member of this team,” he says.
There’s no performance in that statement. It reads as sincere, almost reflective of someone still figuring things out in real time—which, in itself, feels refreshing.
The Creative Vision: Where Music, Visuals, and Performance Unite
SEVENTEEN’s creative direction isn’t something that happens to them—it’s something they do.
The group’s three sub-units collaborate with the core production team to create a cohesive narrative that spans audio, visual, and performative elements.
Joshua’s role in this ecosystem is both specific and expansive. As a vocalist, he shapes melody and emotion. As a performer, he brings precision to choreography.
As a human being in the spotlight, he embodies the group’s values: humility, hard work, and genuine connection.
The Vogue Singapore shoot, photographed by Dukhwa Jang with styling by Nicki Lee and hair by Eunhee Kim, captures this synthesis. The images don’t feel staged; they feel like documentation of someone who’s arrived at a place of comfort with himself.
“When does Seventeen’s Joshua feel the most confident? When he’s surrounded by his fans, naturally,” the video opens. That’s the thesis statement, repeated in different forms throughout everything he does.
Believe in Yourself: The Message That Resonates
In his advice to fans, Joshua distills everything into something simple and powerful:
“Believe in yourself. I know you might be overworking yourself right now, but you’re doing the right thing. Try a lot of new things cuz I know you like to try out new things. Always believe in yourself. Always be confident in yourself and always be positive because no thinking about negative things won’t help you at all in life. Try to think positive”.
That’s the Joshua philosophy: try new things, believe in yourself, stay positive. It’s not groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. It feels honest—and that honesty carries through everything he touches.
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Credits & Rights
Credits and Rights
Article Written for: Kpoppie Magazine
Published by: Velocity Entertainment Inc. (Japan / New Zealand)
Cover Photography: Vogue Singapore, June 2026 Issue
Photographer: Dukhwa Jang
Stylist: Nicki Lee
** Videography:** Taewook Ko (Vogue Singapore)
Editor-in-Chief: Desmond Lim (Vogue Singapore)
All Rights Reserved © 2026 Kpoppie Magazine & Velocity Entertainment Inc.
SEVENTEEN and Joshua are trademarks of Pledis Entertainment
Vogue Singapore is a trademark of Condé Nast
For licensing inquiries: Velocity Entertainment Inc. — Tokyo, Japan / Auckland, New Zealand
Kpoppie Magazine: Dedicated to K-pop editorial excellence and fan-driven storytelling