SEVENTEEN’s Joshua Talks Acting, Solo Music and John Mayer Influence in Billboard’s Takes Us Out

SEVENTEEN member Joshua sat down with Billboard host Tetris Kelly at Seoul’s Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market for an episode of the video series Takes Us Out. He discussed acting, producing solo music, songwriting, his acoustic roots, and a desire to perform at Coachella.

The interview took place over a meal at the 24-hour fish market. The setting is noisy and immediate. Joshua answered questions about new projects and influences between bites and gestures toward trays of seafood.

On acting, Joshua said the work is recent and instructive.

“It’s very new, but I’m learning new things. It’s helping me express my emotions more because I feel most of the time I might be a little closed off … I’m having a lot of fun with it.”

He confirmed that he is producing music as a solo artist and has begun writing songs for himself. “I’m trying to do more of that these days,” he said. He described a specific aim for his solo material.

“I want to show acoustic music because that’s what I grew up on and that’s how I got into music, so I want to show more of that side of myself to me fans.”

Joshua named influences tied to that acoustic and indie sensibility. He cited John Mayer as a formative figure. “I really love John Mayer, ever since I was a little kid. That’s how I got into wanting to learn guitar,” he said. He also mentioned YouTube-based singer-songwriters Gabe Bondoc and AJ Rafael.

Joshua and Kelly discussed Justin Bieber’s then-upcoming Coachella set. Joshua expressed a straightforward goal about festivals.

“That was like one of my dreams, to go and perform at Coachella. So hopefully in the future.”

The full episode of Takes Us Out is available on Billboard’s channel and includes the complete conversation and footage from the market.