My Fave SF9 Songs

Jaeyoon is currently completing his miltary enlistment, and I didn’t realize that this thumbnail is the most recent and current lineup pic. I’m not being shady. I just noticed it after I was about it hit publish 😭.

Intro

I forgot when I initially said I wanted to get this article out. But I know it’s been MONTHS. Unintentionally, of course, but it’s finally happening now. If you’ve been following ATK since the beginning, you know I’ve spent a lot of time talking about SF9 on here over the years.

I’ve been a casual FANTASY since “Now or Never”. I’ll get into that more later, but it took me some time to get into SF9 and understand what they do in the grand scheme of Kpop.

This will make more sense when I finally get around to writing that fave Pentagon songs article I’ve also been meaning to write. But I can’t talk about my love and appreciation for SF9 without talking about the absolute hater I was at first, lol.

A Tale of Two Boy Groups

I want to take y’all back to the height of third gen Kpop, 2016. October to be exact. I was juggling my main boy groups, GOT7 (another long awaited faves songs article), BAP, SEVENTEEN (of course), VIXX, MONSTA X, SHINee (group activities and solos), EXO, NCT 127, just to name a few. Man, looking at the list of some of the bigger releases in Kpop back in 2016 takes me baaaack. Truly a different time.

Anyway, one of my best friends at the time was really excited about Pentagon and their upcoming debut. I wasn’t really keeping up with these survival programs and every group that debuted because I had my hands full already. But I knew about the storm brewing between Pentagon and SF9 fans with their debuts being so close to each other.

Now, it took me a bit to like “Gorilla”, but when it hit, it HIT. But that wasn’t until their first comeback, with “Can You Feel It” and when I re-listened to their debut album PENTAGON, I was obsessed and needed all the music from them. I was a stan, followed multiple update accounts and blogs on Tumblr. I was invested.

SF9’s debut song “Fanfare” didn’t impress me at the time. I like it much more now. But I will say when Wanna One used that same instrumental for “Boomerang” that’s in the first few seconds of “Fanfare” it took me out. I was shook. Not because of “plagiarism”. Producers reuse certain sounds in Kpop songs a lot. But because there was no noise about it. I don’t know if SF9 was too nugu or if I just didn’t see it on the English side of Kpop.

But when you think about the chaos when EXO and BTS had the same instrumental (read more on “They Never Know” and “Autumn Leaves” here), I expected more well fanfare over the whole thing. I think FANTASY stayed quiet because who wanted smoke with WANNABLES, no one (unless you were ARMY).

But other than that, it felt like a game between me and my bestie. PENTAGON would release back to back banger, and we’d wait to see what SF9 would release to fight back, and it wasn’t anything we were crazy about. SF9 caught my attention a few times during 2016-2018 before I fully became a fan. And that’s our first song on my fave list, “Easy Love”.

Breaking Sensation

Easy Love

This is the one and only time we’re gonna use SF9’s government name here. Sensational Feeling 9. If I have to be cursed with that knowledge, so does everyone else. *shivers* that’s why the first two or three albums have sensation in them. They brought it back for their fifth mini album, but I don’t think they’ve referenced it since.

Anyway, I love me some sad boy but make it a bop music. GOT7’s Mad released a year prior and I wanted a part 2 to “If You Do” and they just wouldn’t do it. I had to wait for “Easy Love” and it was so out of left field.

And “Easy Love” aged so well. I still get just as excited about it now as I did in 2016. And there was another song I really enjoyed from Breaking Sensation.

Watch Out

Oh I love “Watch Out”. A more refined and less noisy version of “Fanfare”. Here’s the dance practice version if you’re interested in it. The audio quality is kinda junk, so if for your first listen, I recommend this version first, then the dance practice video.

Kinghts of the Sun

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I have no latin/hispanic heritage, but I did grow up in central and southern Arizona. So I love me some Spanish guitar. The song I did not know I needed or wanted. Again, SF9 coming through with a banger.

I remember being so excited about how nothing else sounded like this at the time. It might have been buried as a b-side somewhere, but not as a title track. It felt so fun and different. And this was when I was starting to understand SF9 a bit more, without actually doing any research into the group, lol.

I’ve been meaning to go back a listen to this album in full. I still haven’t done it, lol. But I will eventually (just like I eventually got to this article).

MAMMA MIA!

We’re ignoring Dawon’s appearance this era, lmao. This was the era/song where I got SF9 and what they’re giving. It was around this point I learned that SF9 started out as a dance group. Meaning genre wise musically, you’re gonna get a mix of things. You’re not supposed to get the same thing every time.

And when I saw “MAMMA MIA” and heard the song, everything clicked. I don’t want to call it camp, but there are camp elements here. This is a silly but fun track. They’re leaning in to it, but also serious about the ridiculousness to it… Hmm I guess I can call it camp then, lol.

My bestie at the time hated it, lol. I think she still isn’t a huge fan of it. But I still love it and will defend her honor. So now I gotta jump back to PENTAGON and how they fit into this. While SF9 was doing what the hell ever over at FNC entertainment.

I was still very much a PENTAGON girlie. We didn’t have the fandom name UNIVERSE yet. But I gotta set the scene. PENTAGON was on a WAVE. They couldn’t miss. Banger after banger after banger. They had a Patriots winning streak when it came to the S tier music they were releasing and their best was yet to come, “Shine“. Annnnnnd they fumbled. They fumbled HARD.

I’ll talk about my theories to why I think PENTAGON fell off and failed to bounce back in their respective article. It’s my Roman Empire, actually. But one mans trash, is another mans treasure and SF9, to me smelt blood in the water and made their attack. Or rather, someone at FNC realized they’d get more mileage out of SF9 if they, one, let them have more input musically, and two, stick with a sound that’s unique to them.

Sensuous

There’s something so beautiful and crazy about this timeline and how things worked in SF9’s favor. There’s an alternate universe where PENTAGON never lost their momentum and is mention with BTS and SEVENTEEN when it comes to best-selling, most influential third gen boy groups, I’m sure of it.

But the fact that “Shine” released early April 2018 and by KCON LA in August 2018, things went so far left that quickly for the group is crazy. Even crazier when I just now realized “Now or Never” released a few days before KCON LA.

And as someone who attended, and has video of us scream singing “Shine” to PENTAGON at one of the booths at the convention as an attempt to cheer them up after having one of their most important members forced out of the group, the timeline is unreal.

What do you mean SF9 was cooking “Now or Never” right as their “rival” was about to have their downfall. That’s bonkers bro!!!

Anyway, after KCON LA 2018, I was inspired to go all in on ATK and one of my first articles blogging about Kpop, solely was ranking my favorite SF9 live stage looks during “Now or Never”.

This song and music video was a game changer for me. One of those moments where you didn’t realize the impact it was about to have on your life at the moment, but in hindsight, everything was different after that three minute and whatever seconds was up.

It is no surprise to anyone who’s read at least one of my music reviews on here that I love R&B and I love House music. SF9 was about to tap into one of my favorite music genres, and I had no idea how hooked I was going to be.

“Now or Never” is so so SO fun and catchy. You can still see recent comments on YouTube with everyone calling it the “jealous song”. The choreography, which I haven’t touched on at all yet, is one of my favorites in Kpop.

SF9 as dancers, I will say is drastically underrated and underappreciated. They need to be in the conversations of best dance groups. If I don’t see Yoo Taeyang in your list of the best dancers in Kpop, your list is incomplete. Your list is trash. Sorry not sorry.

Sensuous was the first SF9 album I listened to immediately all the way through. And I liked it. I saw the potential. And my main thought during this period was, “Ooop if they stick with this sound that works extremely well for them, it’s over for PENTAGON.” And it very much was.

NARCISSUS

Enough

I loved “Enough” on my first listen, and I STILL love it. I remember the slight controversy over the lyrics before it came out. But I think most of that died down once the song came out.

I also remember thinking, “Hmm okay, this must be a fluke. They’re not really gonna continue with this sound after this album. Because that would make sense and make me happy.” Fortunately, I was wrong.

RPM

Wait, is that the same Labyrinth sample in the intro EXO has in “Overdose“? I can’t believe I’m just noticing that, lol. I swear, Spotify just deletes songs off your playlist. I used to listen to “RPM” a lot, and suddenly it just disappeared. So I had to re-add it to my likes.

This is another album I gotta revisit at some point. But I couldn’t pass including this song onto the list. It’s one I don’t hear/see brought up much.

First Collection

Good Guy

I have a music video fashion review about “Good Guy” that I wrote a few months after its release. This is moment really solidified my love for SF9 and their music. I had so much fun this era, and it was wonderful seeing SF9 get mainstream recognition in Korea. I cried when I saw the video of them getting their first ever music show win for “Good Guy”. I was so proud of them.

This was right before the Pandemic when the album dropped. And I remember January 2020 all I was listening too was First Collection, MAP OF THE SOUL: 7, and a bunch of SEVENTEEN because my concert in New Jersey was in Janaury. It was like the 12th or something.

Out of the two albums, First Collection aged the best for me. I still get so hyped listening to the entire albums versus MOTS7. There’s probably like three or four songs from MOTS7 I go back to. I’m gonna try to keep things short with my top three songs from First Collection. This is my favorite SF9 album. I might comeback to it for its own article.

“Good Guy” is truly the culmination of everything SF9 had been perfecting over the previous four years of being idols. Their best example of what they do best. The choreography is amazing. The song is catchy. I love the instrumentals and the high note climax works perfect and isn’t over done. I just love when SF9 is obessed with a girl, lol. It’s their best song theme.

I talked about their visuals and the music video in my review. But this really is my go to recommendation for SF9. If there’s only one song you check out after reading this entire article, it should be “Good Guy”.

Lullu Lalla

Probably the most random pick off this album, but I can explain. SF9 doesn’t release songs like this as title tracks. You gotta dig for bright, upbeat songs like this on their albums. Well until THE WAVE OF9 which is still like three years away at this point.

But it’s a great song. And a different side of SF9. So I gotta include it.

Like The Hands Held Tight

Another song you don’t get like this from them as a title track, but another example of their verstility musically. They performed this live a few times while promoting “Good Guy”. This is still my favorite song from the album. It’s a bit of a call back to “O Sole Mio”. So that’s another reason why I love it.

Yeah I gotta comeback to this album for it’s own article, lol. There’s so much more I want to say, but I’ll leave it here.

Honorary mentions for “Summer Breeze” and “OK Sign” off 9loryUS. I wrote a music video fashion review for “Summer Breeze” as well.

RUMINATION is also a good album. My favorites being “Dreams“, “Gentleman” (“Good Guy” part 2 but with violins, lol), and “Scenario“. They really liked stringed instruments this era, huh.

But now we’re gonna talk about the album in the middle of both of those releases, TURN OVER.

TURN OVER

Believer

TURN OVER and Kingdom: Legnendary War era was interesting. I’ve talked about Kingdom and how it made me a STAY (accidentally), and how disappointed I was in The Boys crashing under pressure instead of just doing what they do best and keep it simple. It was all ATEEZ’s fault I was even watching the damn show because I wanted to show support to them. But SF9 was my other group I voted for and supported during the show.

I was incredibly impressed with SF9’s performance during Kingdom and I think it helped with their popularity as well. Pretty much every group had something against them, and SF9 had a member injured, plus half of them were recording dramas as well. So their time and energy was pulled in multiple directions.

“Believer” is my favorite song from this album and I was praying it would be released after Kingdom was over. I have to also mention I love the album after and the logo for this album. It’s classic and subtle. I do recomend watching their Kingdom performance of the song if you like it.

“Tear Drop” is a great song. I do love this slight change in their sound during 9loryUS through RUMINATION. It’s more mature sounding and uses more strings and western (like country) influences to their sound. It’s still the club/house sound with them, but now their putting twists to it. “Fanatic” is my other favorite song from TURN OVER. I recommend that one as well.

THE WAVE OF9

SCREAM

I went back to my July 2022 fave songs article, and my thoughts are pretty much the same on this album.

Slaps. Perfect summer dance track for summer. “Scream” is just chill enough to sway to while you’ve got your mocktail at the beach. The part that’s like “you wanna get up, you wanna get down” reminds me of my cat being indecisive about where she wants to sit on my bed or not. So that part cracks me up.

July 2022 Best Kpop Comebacks & Debuts

OK OK

“OK OK” dabbles a bit into 80s sound. I love it. It’s different from their usual sound, but still sounds like a SF9 song.

July 2022 Best Kpop Comebacks & Debuts

Yeah, still a tune. I’ve been coming back to this one more in my research into making this article. I’ve rediscovered my love for this one.

Summertime Bounce (Don’t Kill My Vibe)

🎶 Oneee mooore is not enough, now full up my cup 🎶. Still my favorite track from THE WAVE OF9. I wasn’t sure how I would like an album with 6 of 9 members on it, but it’s actually my favorite mini album to date.

I still hate Zuho’s rap here though. The intro is so awkard and has no flow at all. I get what he was trying to do but the excuction of it doesn’t work. Fortuantely it’s short. That’s my only compaint with this track. It’s so fun and upbeat. I love it. I’ve been listening to this one a lot more lately, too.

Driver

“Driver” (finally a good Zuho rap, lol)

July 2022 Best Kpop Comebacks & Debuts

Lmaoooo I’m sorry but Zuho is such an inconsistent rapper. I still stand by that comment as well. “Driver” is another one I’ve been reaching for more lately.

I forgot how much fun and upbeat this album is. It really is perfect for summer and warm weather. We will continue to stream 😤.

Sequence

BIBORA

We’ve reached the most recent SF9 release as of writing. It’s April 2024, but I’ve been listening to “BIBORA” pretty consistently since its release. It’s easily one of my favorite titles of theirs. I thought I’d talk more about Rowoon and his presents throughout the group, because FNC heavily relyed on him being the visual and face of the group. He also had a ton of big parts in songs as well over the years.

He was my favorite member. Now I’m not sure who it is. Along with schedules with his acting gigs, I know he’s also had health issues with his back that has prevented him from performing at full capacity.

I think FNC did a good job with shifting the focus and dynamics on to other members when Rowoon wasn’t able to participate. And definitely for the long run it feels like it works better for the group, songs feels more balanced.

I haven’t actually watched too many live performances of SF9 with eight members performing their older songs with nine members. But I’m sure at this point, choreography changes have just been made permanent.

When the official annoument was made about Rowoon’s permanent depature, I wasn’t too surprised. I’m sad he left, but it made sense. I don’t follow too many FANTASY online, so I was really only seeing a few comments on Reddit and Twitter during this time. Everyone seemed to have about the same reaction.

All that being said, “BIBORA” feels like more of the same, but in a good way. I don’t notice Rowoon’s depature at all. And it sounds like something that could be on Sensuous or First Collection. That means that even with a major member depature, SF9 has perfected their sound and what makes them unique.

I included my anecdotes about PENTAGON and SF9 because this was the route I thought PENTAGON would follow. They’d continue experimenting with their sound while still making banger after banger until finally they’d get public recoginition in their homeland(s).

Actually I’m not too sure how popular PENTAGON is in Japan, they do have a Japanese member, but that didn’t work out that way for them. At this point we don’t even know when there will be another group comeback considering 6/9 didn’t renew with Cube. And members have started their miltary enlistments.

So has SF9 but it does sound like there’s still a future with the group under FNC. And the members have released solo songs.

But I can’t talk about one with out the other due to my personal experience being a fan of both groups. It will always be a what if for me.

I talked a little about “BIBORA” in my January 2024 monthly faves. I don’t really have anything additional to say other than it’s one of my favorite songs of the year. And if you like any of SF9’s previous releases, you’ll love “BIBORA” too.

I wish SF9 had better album credits for who worked on their songs. It’s very hit or miss on Discogs and Wikipedia. I think it’s just due to them not having as large of an English speaking fanbase to look further into this stuff and put in on Wikipedia or their Fandom page, for example.

I did see one of the guys who worked on “Enough” and “Believer” (and I think “Good Guy” and “Now or Never), Daniel Kim, has a Discogs page with a ton of other bops he’s worked on. But it just isn’t as easy to pull up as my EXO articles for example.

Okay, if you’ve read my January Best Kpop Comebacks & Debuts article, you know what our last song is.

Superconductor

give me the DawOn sOlO, bitxx. Had to include the OnlyOneOf reference there. But seriously FNC, we need a Dawon solo. STAT. Well, I want it to be good and promoted properly, so take your time. But the girls need it, the industry needs it.

I’m sooooo obessed with “Superconductor”. I listen to it daily, sometimes multiple times a day. It’s so addicting. I can’t help but to talk about it at any opportunity I can. Now we do know everyone who has credits on this one, Dawon included (love to see that).

We have Dong Hee Choi, Jacob Aaron, Sang Hyeok Lee, SlyBerry, and Soo Yoon Kim. A quick search I was really only able to find Sly Berry’s other work. But it’s progress, lol.

And thre we have it! 17 of my favorite SF9 songs. I have 30 saved. And it could have easily gone on longer. I was thinking about condensing things down a bit. But idk if I’ll go though some of these albums in their own article to where I’d talk about them again. Really other than First Collection, I don’t see myself doing deep dives on any other album on here.

I will likely create a part two article with my favorite SF9 songs as they continue to make more music. Normally I include a disclaimer at the beginning with these articles. But I just wanted to jump into this one, lol. I was so excited to finally talk a bit more about SF9’s music in their own article. My previous ones have been focused more on their visuals and choreography, and not nearly as appreciative of their musicality as a group.

SF9 has consistenly been good for some years now, and they’re totally slept on. They’re from a decent size company, and they have Kakao M backing when it comes to distribution of their music. But I just don’t see them being brought into conversations when it comes to soild discography or choreography. Vocally, I think they’re pretty stable considering all the moving around they’re doing. Granted I don’t hunt down SF9 ballads. And I haven’t see them live yet.

But they definitely are more than just visuals and I can’t wait to see what they have next for us.

I think my top five SF9 songs right now are “Superconductor”, “Now or Never“, “Believer”, “O Sole Mio“, and “Good Guy“. And those I think are a great started point for people new to SF9. Then dabble into other songs on this list.

If you’re a FANTASY, I’m curious to what your favorite SF9 songs are. Who’s your favorite member, and what’s your favorite album? Let me know in the comments.

I wanted to have this article up days ago, but I got busy with other stuff. And I greatly underestimated how much I had to say about SF9. But I’m so happy to finally have this article done and how it turned out. I hope if y’all doing check for SF9, this article changed your mind and you found a few songs to add to your playlists.

I’m totally feeling inspired to set aside more time in the evenings after work to write for ATK because I’ve missed it so much. I really do need the creative outlet.

Next up is a quick thoughts article on TXT’s minisode 3: TOMORROW. All last week I had that in rotation with my March fave songs, and all of my fave SF9 songs. I’ll probably start this week off the same, lol.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram, if you don’t already. I always post updates on Twitter on the blog and how far along I am on stuff. I actually need to update Insta because I’ve made a few Kpop purchases I should document on there, lol. I’m so bad at social media now.

I’ll see y’all next post.

Take Care!

Ash💫