BOLTS OF THUNDER, TONGUES OF FIRE: THOUGHTS ON SEVENTEEN AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
I had the pleasure of having K-pop–that is, Korean pop music–more or less thrust upon me by an enthusiastic and persistent roommate several years ago. I say “pleasure” now, though the journey began with a touch of reluctance. Prior to my informal education, the extent of my K-pop knowledge went as far as it probably did for anyone active on Twitter in 2015 witnessing the rise of “stan” culture, largely among fans of BTS and LOONA.[1]
Discovering the world of K-pop music was, for me, like how I imagine Alice experiencing Wonderland for the first time: going about my normal life and then being instantly immersed in an overstimulating environment, feeling confused yet deeply curious. I was drawn in by the concepts and costuming but struggled with songs that seemed to consist of a hodgepodge of sonic elements thrown in a blender and served up sugary sweet. But once I started to understand the central tenet of K-Pop—more is always more—I gave myself over to its maximalist appeal and never looked back.
I became aware of the K-Pop boy band “SEVENTEEN” in 2022 and fully “[slipped] into the diamond life” with the release of “Fighting (feat. Lee Young Ji)” by the sub-unit[2] BSS in 2023. Since then, I’ve spent thousands of hours streaming their music, consuming their web content, purchasing albums, and engaging in conversations online with other fans, known as “CARAT,” to the point where I and others are a little concerned for my sanity.
Since their debut in 2015 with the delightfully teeny-boppy track “Adore U,” SEVENTEEN’s concept has largely become synonymous with upbeat sounds and wholesome messages, even in eras characterized by edgier aesthetics. As part of a self-producing idol group, member and producer WOOZI has written and composed much of their discography. Consequently, SEVENTEEN has enjoyed more freedom than most groups to shape their creative direction, at least sonically and lyrically.
Now, celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut (May 26, 2025), SEVENTEEN is back with “THUNDER,” a high-energy thrill ride of a song articulating the electrifying experience of being transformed by inspiration, as well as the resulting criticism that comes with disrupting the status quo.[3]
During a performance in advance of the release of the 10th anniversary studio album (aptly titled “HAPPY BURSTDAY”), WOOZI mentioned feeling daunted by the task of creating music for such an important milestone, but he went on to say he had been struck with inspiration from the heavens as if by lightning, hence the title track, “THUNDER.”
So what does this have to do with Pentecost?
I started writing this essay on the day of the Feast of the Ascension, which is swiftly followed by the Feast (and day, and liturgical season) of Pentecost that begins with the disciples becoming apostles by way of flaming tongues of Spirit tasked with establishing the Body of Christ.[4] We are told these vessels for the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, after which they began communicating with each other in various languages, much to the confusion of the surrounding neighbors.
Just a short time before, however, these same disciples were hidden behind locked doors in the wake of Jesus’ death, mourning not only the death of their teacher and friend but also the death of their movement of love. But once they’re reunited after Jesus’ resurrection, the risen Christ initiates another transformation of sorts by granting the disciples the ability to comprehend Scripture in the context of the Paschal Mystery. It is only by this action and generous pouring out of the Spirit that the early Christian Church was able to take shape and survive, because otherwise fear would likely have snuffed out the flame lit by Christ’s human ministry. Had the disciples not openly received transformation at the hands of Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Church as we know it would likely not exist.
The imagery of the tongues of fire is perhaps the most memorable—and symbolically meaningful—element of the Pentecost narrative. Throughout human history, fire has been associated with innovation, purification, divine inspiration, and renewal.[5] Fire, both literal and proverbial, is present throughout Scripture and is integral to the Christian liturgical tradition. The use of fire as a vehicle for the transference of Spirit signifies that an irreversible change has occurred: the disciples have suddenly become apostles inspired to spread the Gospel, heal the hurting, and establish God’s reign in our reality.
Both the Pentecost narrative and the lyrical content of “THUNDER” exhibit the power that lives on the other side of saying “yes” to your own evolution, which is very often a harrowing process. While artists can play with the idea of being struck by lightning as a way of evoking inspiration and transformation, extending the metaphor further might involve a look at the danger inherent in such an experience. In a similar sense, by stepping into their vocation as apostles, many of the Twelve were receiving inspiration but also ultimately stepping closer to their own persecution. However, both cases imply that what is gained is far greater than what is risked.
Where the Holy Spirit is depicted with fire, SEVENTEEN uses the image of lightning (also known as thunderbolts) in their lyrics and visuals to indicate their own experience of personal transformation. Lightning, like fire, also has symbolic associations with inspiration (think of common idioms like “stroke of genius” and “lightning in a bottle”).
Now, if my high school understanding of physics is correct, lightning is a form of energy generated from the build up of electrical charges in the atmosphere. The air between the earth and sky gives way, and a discharge of electricity in the form of what appears to the naked eye as a streak of light strikes the ground (or whatever surface it encounters first). Symbolically speaking, the space between humans and the heavens is thinned enough so that a momentary flash of energy virtually connects them, both terrific and terrifying.
Focusing on this natural phenomenon gives SEVENTEEN both a clever image to work with and a medium through which to communicate that they aren’t afraid of change, at least when it comes to their future as a group. The members are approaching their 30s, taking on new creative pursuits, and fulfilling their military obligations, but they are assuring their fans they’re not scared. In fact, they choose to celebrate this period of change in spite of nay-sayers or people who doubt them. In this way, “THUNDER” mirrors the first Pentecost’s illustration of the socio-emotional dynamic of being indelibly transformed by the fire of the Holy Spirit: a communal celebration among individuals touched by something beyond their comprehension, surrounded by on-lookers who have yet to experience the same.
We officially celebrate Pentecost on an annual basis, but every time we reaffirm our baptism, we acknowledge that we, too, were initiated into the Body of Christ through a transformative experience. We acknowledge that this gift is meant to be embodied and cultivated by ongoing consent to the ministry of the Holy Spirit within us so that we look more and more like Christ. God strikes deep into our hearts, creating embers for the Spirit to fan into a blazing fire of Love. We need only to answer the call of Christ to offer ourselves as a willing conduit for the electric current of the Holy Spirit to power our lives. Then we, too, will “[rise] up and [flash] like a thunderbolt,” illuminating God in our midst.
[1] For the record, I do not consider myself part of ARMY, but I do consider myself an ORBIT as well as a member of all subsequent spin-off LOONA fandoms.
[2] A “sub-unit” is an ensemble, typically a duo or trio, consisting of members within a group. SEVENTEEN’s name is derived from the sum of 13 members plus three sub-units (vocal, performance, and hip-hop) plus one complete team, and they also have several other official units.
[3]A full English translation of the song lyrics can be found here.
[5] For those familiar with tarot, this element is represented through the imagery of the wand—a mythical, alchemical tool imbued with transformative properties.
