Seventeen group member Joshua Hong, right, accepts on behalf of the band a certificate of recognition from Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky honoring the K-Pop Group Seventeen during the Los Angeles City Council Meeting at Los Angeles City Hall, Nov. 8, in Los Angeles, Calif. AFP-Yonhap K-pop boy group Seventeen has been honored with a certificate of appreciation from Los Angeles for its contributions to music and youth empowerment within the American city, the group's agency said Saturday.
Pledis Entertainment said Joshua, the LA-born member of the 13-piece group, was invited by the LA City Council to receive the certificate on the group's behalf Friday (local time). Joshua was born and raised in LA before moving to South Korea after high school to pursue a career in music. The group was recognized for running the "Seventeen the City Los Angeles" project, which began Thursday to decorate downtown LA and its iconic landmarks with Seventeen-themed colors and displays.
"There are traces of my childhood all over LA," Joshua said. "To see LA City Hall, Hollywood and Korea Town all take part in 'Seventeen the City LA' and join us and our fans, Carats, in fully enjoying the special last stop of our U.S.
tour, is an absolute honor and an experience I'll personally never forget." Joshua noted similarities between his group and his hometown, saying, "We both thrive on the endless possibilities that diversity creates. "LA stands tall as capital of culture and creativity, fueled by bustling.