Why Seventeen’s Dino Has an Alter Ego

To Seventeen fans, collectively known as Carat World, Dino is best known for his versatile singing voice and exceptional dance moves. Despite being the youngest in the 13-member group, Dino easily stands out during Seventeen’s sold-out shows in venues around the world. The group, launched by Pledis Entertainment in 2015, has received international recognitions including MTV awards.

“Working on this album was a revealing experience that allowed me to discover how much more versatile I can be,” the K-Pop idol exclusively shares with Esquire Philippines. “Over the years, I feel like I’ve truly grown as an artist through the continuous process of creation—writing songs and making choreography while picturing how every element would be presented on the live stage.”

The album’s name, Gilboard, brings together the Chinese character for good fortune, “gil” and the English word “board” to depict a stage or plate. Dino was inspired by the 1990s street music culture where Picheolin transforms the streets into a stage to hype everyone and send wishes for good fortune.

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The seven-track project was based on a specific time in Dino’s life, he recalls, when he “listened to classics from time to time growing up.” He continues, “As I immersed myself in them while preparing for this album, I came to understand the music on a much deeper level.” An artist that stood out as an inspiration during this point in his life was the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

“He is the absolute reason I first dreamt of becoming an artist,” the 27-year-old explains. “Even today, I still watch his performance videos before heading on stage. Just seeing his raw passion and energy instantly reignites my own inner drive and inspires me to give my everything to the audience.”

Dino reveals that Gilboard is “in complete contrast” to what he has shown through Seventeen. “Releasing an album under an alter ego gave me the freedom to bring something genuinely fresh to the table, specifically by infusing retro vibes with unique flair and traditional heung (an outburst of excitement or festive energy) in Korean culture.” Picheolin was first introduced to fans during a fan meeting of the group in 2021 and became an instant hit due to his keen sense of humor.
      

Gilboard was globally released earlier this week on August 3 via the lead single, “Party Rock Rock,” which was produced by South Korea music producer Hitchiker (who has written hits for K-Pop acts such as Super Junior, Red Velvet, Shinee, and Girls Generation). The track features Dino’s rap talent and trendy vocals.

All songs in the album were co-written by Dino, who confirmed that the initial ideation for the tracks began early this year. “Since it’s my first solo album, participating in songwriting across every single track felt like a very natural choice to ensure that each song genuinely reflected my voice and story,” he says.

Asked if Dino or Picheolin will be visiting the Philippines soon, the artist explains that he is currently focused on preparing for his Dino x Picheolin Fan Concert in Seoul that will be staged from August 21 to 23. “At the same time, I'm doing my best behind the scenes so I can connect with Carats in the Philippines and in every corner of the world again. Hopefully, that day comes soon.”

When that time comes, would he like to sing more or dance more? “I truly love both equally,” he says in closing. “Whether I’m singing or dancing, both allow me to express who I am and bring me an irreplaceable sense of happiness whenever I’m on stage.”