[Dispatch=Yuha Cheon] "With a thirst for music, we burned 120% passion." (Jaeyoon)
SF9 reached their 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, they never stayed in one place and constantly attempted change. This time, they looked back on that time and took their position at the starting line once more.
Their genre expanded further. They filled it with diverse styles from pop to ballad, Y2K, and R&B. Meanwhile, their message returns to their original intention. Recalling the passion from their debut, they take flight once again.
SF9's agency held a media showcase on the 26th at Cube Convention Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul to commemorate the release of their regular second album 'TENACITY'.
'TENACITY' is an album commemorating SF9's 10th anniversary. It contains stories of looking back on the past time and moving forward once more. The album title incorporates meanings of perseverance, tenacity, and their TEN-year anniversary.
While commemorating today, having walked together for the past 10 years, it carries the will to move forward without stopping. They also brought back out the passion and original intention from the moment they first took the stage.
Jaeyoon said, "We had been thirsty for a regular album," and emphasized, "All members staked everything on it. In every process from choreography to recording and filming, we burned 120% passion."
Youngbin also said, "Fans and members alike waited for a regular album," and added, "We participated a lot in song work. We deeply packed in the meaning of the 10th anniversary and expressed our desire to push forward from here on."
They prepared a total of 10 tracks. The title track 'Without Wings', 'Curtain Call', 'Pressure', 'One More Kiss', 'Cross My Mind', 'Too Easy', 'Mr. Bang Bang', 'Best Mistake', 'Real from the Fake', and 'Do You Want Me'.
The title track 'Without Wings' is an Afrobeat pop genre. A rhythmic groove and refined pop sound harmonize. SF9's characteristic refreshing vocals add to the track's energy.
The song's message connects with SF9's past 10 years. Despite facing numerous limitations, it sings of their will to take flight once more without wings.
Inseong said, "Don't we encounter various limitations while living? We put a story of overcoming such limitations and soaring," and introduced, "The 'WW' in the chorus lingers. It's a song many people can enjoy together."
The music video was also unveiled. Members delivered intense performances against a hot summer backdrop. Contrasting moods between day and night and sensual direction captured attention.
SF9 premiered the 'Without Wings' stage on this day. They emphasized chic charm with an all-black look. Despite powerful performances, they displayed unwavering live vocal skills.
Members' touches are visible throughout the album. Youngbin, Hwiyoung, and Chanhee participated in songwriting for multiple tracks. They directly incorporated their thoughts and stories at this 10-year mark into the lyrics.
Youngbin focused on empathy. He said, "In the early days of debut, we sometimes polished lyrics out of desire to do well," and shared, "Now I think the most important thing in music is empathy. I want to work so that listeners can relate."
Hwiyoung, having consistently participated in SF9's song work, was mindful not to repeat familiar expressions. He explained, "I attempted various approaches each time to set differentials. I tried to naturally incorporate actual speech patterns and words we use."
The working environment was not easy. The regular album and fan meeting preparations overlapped. Hwiyoung recalled, "Even when Chanhee and I went to a Japan fan meeting, we wrote lyrics inside the car while traveling. Once we arrived at the accommodation, we continued working together."
Chanhee also juggled personal schedules with songwriting. He said, "Several schedules overlapped including movies and plays," and conveyed, "I always lay in bed before sleeping and wrote lyrics while imagining. While watching dramas or movies, I tried to fill in experiences I couldn't have directly."
SF9 made their first steps into the music industry in October 2016 with their debut album 'Feeling Sensation'. Ten years passed in a blink. Members cited mutual understanding and Fantasy, their fanbase, as the driving force behind their longevity.
Inseong reflected, "Although we lived in different environments, our ultimate goal toward being singers and music was the same," and said, "We aligned on the feeling of trying what we like until the end. Because of that, we could stay together for a long time."
Much has changed over 10 years. Youngbin cited 'flexibility' as the biggest change. He said, "Each of us has music we want to do, but we learned how to express that in a direction for SF9," and added, "As we understand and consider each other, the team atmosphere has become brighter."
Of course, thirst remains. Dawon revealed, "We haven't reached the achievements we want yet. We can't help but be mindful of performance scale and results," and said, "Because we have that thirst, we can move toward higher goals."
So the 10th anniversary is not a period but a new starting point. Youngbin said, "People say singers follow their song title," and pledged, "Like 'Without Wings', we will run with all our might so we can soar even without wings."
Inseong looked toward an even more distant future. "We were able to come this far thanks to so many people who have cherished and supported us over 10 years," and emphasized, "We are looking at a 60-year run. I want to show that we are a team with that much will."
SF9 will release 'TENACITY' on the 26th at 6 p.m.
▲ Youngbin
▲ Inseong
▲ Jaeyoon
▲ Dawon
▲ Hwiyoung
▲ Chanhee
<Photos=Lee Hojun Photographer>
