SF9 Unveils the Depths of Sequence in Exclusive Interview.
In the ever-evolving landscape of K-Pop, SF9 has remained a constant force, enchanting fans with its dynamic sound and magnetic presence. The group, currently comprised of YOUNG BIN, IN SEONG, DA WON, ZUHO, YOO TAE YANG, HWI YOUNG, and CHA NI, is facing a new chapter as JAE YOON is currently serving in the military. Despite the temporary absence, SF9 continues to captivate audiences with their music, maintaining a remarkable streak of albums with no skips. Their B-side tracks, often described as hidden gems, have become just as cherished as their title tracks, showcasing the group's versatility and commitment to delivering exceptional musical experiences. Among K-Pop fans, there is a general consensus that when it comes to leaving a lasting impact, no one does it quite like SF9.
In a touching and unique gesture, SF9 has introduced a poignant tradition in their recent albums. The inclusion of solo songs at the end serves as a farewell to members enlisting in the military. Their 13th mini album, 'Sequence,' concludes with the R&B track "Superconductor," sung by Dawon. This heartfelt track not only adds a layer of emotional depth to the album but also signals Dawon's impending enlistment, leaving fans with a bittersweet anticipation of what's to come.
With their latest release, 'Sequence,' SF9 once again showcases their mastery in seamlessly blending a fresh charm with impactful lyrics, all while retaining their signature sexy and mysterious flair. The deep house title track, "BIBORA," stands as the emotional epicenter of the album, with vocalists DA WON and IN SEONG poignantly expressing the theme of separation right from the opening verse. The music video, an integral element of SF9's artistic presentation, further enriches the experience, adding a cinematic layer of emotions to the already emotional song. As the narrative unfolds, the visual storytelling enhances the profound sentiments embedded in "BIBORA," creating a multi-dimensional experience for fans and amplifying the emotional depth of SF9's musicality.
As I dive into an exclusive interview with SF9, it becomes evident that 'Sequence' is not just an album; it's a testament to the growth of a group that has consistently created exceptional music since its debut. Join me as I sit down with SF9 to unravel the layers of 'Sequence,' discuss their creative process, explore the emotions behind their latest musical journey, and more.
Congratulations on the much-anticipated release of your 13th mini album, 'Sequence!' "Sequence" marks SF9's first new music in a year and the first album since the return of YOUNG BIN and IN SEONG. How did these factors influence the creative process and overall direction of the album?
YOUNG BIN: I think I was full of energy because I was looking forward to meeting FANTASY in a long time, and I hope that excitement and motivation will be reflected in this album.
IN SEONG: Since it's our first album since the return from the military service, we tried to focus on the details. From the production process to the release of the album, we worked with the keyword of how to make the song more attractive. We thought about the meaning of the lyrics, the mood of the songs, and the changes in the singing style according to the genre.
What message or impact do you hope this album leaves on listeners? How does it align with the SF9’s artistic vision for this particular release?
IN SEONG: We want to be complimented as this group is great with their music. It's the simplest expression, but I think it's also the most difficult one to be heard. I think music has a great power that is not limited by time and space, and my goal is to be a musician who can share that power. I think SF9 has done various types of music over the years, and I hope you can feel that we're gradually becoming an artist that shows the kind of music that you feel comfortable listening to.
HWI YOUNG: The title track, “BIBORA,” is about breaking up. It's not only about breaking up with a person but also about longing for a sweet past. I hope that each person will think about the word ‘breakup’ a little more, and I hope that the songs in the album will be sympathetic and fun while guessing the message that SF9 wants to say.
The album depicts love from beginning to end. How did this theme shape the creative direction of the album, both musically and visually?
DA WON: When I was thinking about how to present love in a different way, I realized that I wanted to express love in more detail and depth. I tried to capture the three stages of excitement-meeting-breaking up in the album and tried to depict the various emotions that come with them. This is reflected in the songs and visuals, and I hope the listeners can enjoy the album from different perspectives on love.
ZU HO: We tried to capture a variety of emotions besides love, so like the name of the album, we want the listeners to think and listen to the sequence of each song.
The title track, “BIBORA,” conveys the emotions of wanting to forget while also yearning for past moments. How did SF9 navigate the expression of these feelings within the song?
YOO TAE YANG: It's still difficult to express emotions in a song, and I had a lot of trouble with this one in particular. I think great emotion only shines when it's backed by great techniques. I think emotion is about building the vocal details properly and then coloring them. I analyzed and worked hard to get this right. I tried to break down the emotions and put examples, such as longing, sadness, and regrets, into the lyrics.
CHA NI: I believe the feelings that come after a breakup, such as regret and remorse, are probably similar, but each breakup is different in its own way. That's why I focused more on showing the image of being isolated and suffering in the moment when the rainstorm hits! Also, I tried to convey the confusing feelings in the song because the lyrics have a double meaning.
YOUNG BIN, ZU HO, and HWI YOUNG are very active in the creation of SF9’s music. How does it work when you collaborate in the studio with each other? How did it work for this album?
YOUNG BIN: I'm the kind of person who asks for advice when I'm really stuck, and I like to show diversity by telling different stories, even though it's an album about just one theme. I think we learn and grow from each other in a lot of ways when we work through giving advice to each other.
Are there any funny or special behind-the-scenes moments from the set of the “BIBORA” music video that you can share with FANTASY?
YOUNG BIN: There's a scene where I'm falling into the water, and it was a real sauna. It was interesting because it was the same sauna that a program called “Infinite Challenge” had filmed at before. The temperature was probably below zero on the day of filming, so I was shivering because it was so cold, but the excitement of thinking that FANTASY would like it gave me the courage to shoot it in freezing cold weather. 🙂
IN SEONG: I was excited to wait for the Bapcha(Food truck), and I went to the truck in anticipation of what the menu would be that day. Especially the food I ate after dancing was the most delicious. I will never forget the taste of dakgangjeong and budae-jjigae after sweating a lot. Also, I remember that we filmed four times in the rain, and before we got wet, I really put my heart and soul into every shot, like I was entering a military training camp because it was so cold. And there was a costume with holes in the thigh, and every time I wore it, my legs were freezing... But I'm satisfied that the video came out beautifully.
What song on 'Sequence' are you most excited for FANTASY to hear, and why?
IN SEONG: I'd like our listeners to pay attention to the song "Domino." I participated in the chorus of the song, and I did the overall song design on top of the members' voices. The idea was to make our song richer and higher in quality, and I tried to make it diverse so that it would be easier to listen to and could be used as a performance song in the future. It was a fun experience, and I would like to add my voice to the album in various ways in the future. If you listen closely, you can find parts with my harmonized voice.
DA WON: I'm too attached to all of them to pick one, but if I had to pick one, it would be the title track, ‘BIBORA’. It's probably the song that I've spent the most time and effort on.
Which concept version does each member connect with most?
YOUNG BIN: There is definitely something that SF9 members want for any topic or any song, so I think it would be better to be more interested in how SF9 expresses different concepts rather than thinking about which concept connects well. I personally liked the 9lory album with the track "Good Guy" included because it was a turning point where SF9 started to solidify its color!
IN SEONG: I really wanted to do a concept like “SCREAM” (from SF9’s album The Wave of 9, released during IN SEONG’s enlistment). We are used to doing moody concepts, but we've rarely done something refreshing for summer. I think if I had participated, I would have put my own spin on the album, and I'd definitely like to try it in the future.
Balancing busy individual schedules can be challenging. How does SF9 manage these individual commitments while maintaining the group's synergy, especially in creating new music and learning choreography?
YOO TAE YANG: I think our individual schedules are completely driven by the team synergy. SF9 schedules and music are our roots, and I think that's what makes our individual schedules possible, so we try to prioritize that during team practices. It's not hard to maintain and manage during that time because we work so well together organically.
CHA NI: I think the most important thing is to take care of our health because FANTASY will be upset if we get exhausted. But I think the team is doing well by thinking about our dreams and goals, thanks to the support of FANTASY.
You’ve done R&B, Deep House, electro-pop, and more. What more does SF9 have in store?
ZU HO: I’m really confident about different genres. The genre and concept of the song are important, but staying tuned to see how SF9 interprets and expresses them, and we'll make it look good.
HWI YOUNG: I would like to show songs that utilize the harmony of the vocal rap members. In terms of genres, I would like to challenge various fields such as band music, rock music, and city pop. It would also be nice to include traditional ballad songs. I think there is definitely music that each member can showcase, so I would like to expand the appeal of unit songs instead of group songs.
What would you say is the secret ingredient to your chemistry as a group?
YOUNG BIN: When we were younger, we sometimes fought and couldn't understand each other, but I think those moments led to us getting to know each other and being able to make concessions and understand each other.
IN SEONG: I think the chemistry is strong because we all have strong personalities, and I think we're a team where our individual charms really shine through, and I think we fill in the gaps and make each other stand out. I believe we have a great mix of charm as a group and charm as individuals, and I think that's our strength.
Any wishes for the new year?
YOUNG BIN: My New Year's wishes are to release one more album and perform, which is a small goal, and my big goal is to become a more mature person who is wise and intelligent enough to overcome the obstacles of my life. Health is also important!!! And most of all, I want to continue to hold FANTASY’s heart.
IN SEONG: I hope everyone is healthy and also, I hope we do a lot of performances as a team, including lots of overseas shows. I hope my personal goals go well, and I hope I can showcase a lot of songs that I can fill with my voice. I will try my best to spend busy 2024.
Lastly, please leave a message for FANTASY reading this all around the world.
DA WON: FANTASY!! Thank you for loving this album!! I hope we have many more years of good memories! I miss you and love you always. It's cold these days, so watch out for the flu!!!
CHA NI: FANTASY around the world. Stay tuned; we'll be coming back to you with new SF9 charms, and we'd love to see you around the world. Stay tuned, be healthy, and we love you. FANTASY are the reason we exist! Thank you!
You can connect with SF9 on Instagram, X, X-Fanclub, YouTube, TikTok, Weibo, and Fan Cafe, as well as the members on their personal accounts; YOUNG BIN, IN SEONG, DA WON, ZUHO, YOO TAE YANG, HWI YOUNG, and CHA NI.
Listen to their discography on Spotify and Apple Music.
*Special thanks to the members of SF9 and FNC Entertainment for this exclusive interview.
Image and Video Credits: FNC Entertainment