K-Pop’s SF9 on debut Dubai show
Members of the group tell tabloid! about their latest album ‘RPM’ and more
Since the start of their career, SF9 have showcased creative concepts and sonic styles in the K-Pop scene. It’s hard to deny the nine-member male group has a following in the UAE, seen when #SF9inDubai was one of the trending topics on Twitter in the UAE in anticipation for their performance here on Thursday.
Along with K-Pop group Seventeen and actress Ha Ji-won, the FNC Entertainment’s act was in Dubai to promote the Korean wave in the UAE as honorary ambassadors for the Korea Brand & Content Expo 2019 Dubai.
Prior to their show, tabloid! caught up with the rising act.
What are some of your thoughts on K-Pop’s popularity in the Middle East, especially in the UAE? Were you aware that there was a K-Pop following here?
Inseong: We’ve heard that K-Pop fans in the Middle East from other artists who have been here or through the news, but we couldn’t really feel it because we’ve never been here before. Then, fans have heartily greeted us upon our arrival in Dubai, so now we can feel the passion of K-Pop fans in the Middle East ourselves.
Hwiyoung: I know that a lot of other K-Pop artists have been seeing fans in the UAE through concerts and events. It is fascinating that we could communicate overcoming the language barrier we have, and we are anticipating to meet fans here more often through more activities.
I’d like to also touch upon your latest Korean EP RPM. What was the creative process and overall theme behind it?
Youngbin: RPM is the title song and the album title describing the heartbeat as the speed of engine, RPM. It’s about fated love that one will run for till the end. Preparing the album RPM, all the members have vastly participated in overall production. Especially Echo, one of the songs in the album is the piece that Zuho participated in all the process of composing, lyrics and arrangement, putting our message to fans in it. It’s a song that Zuho and everyone of SF9 poured sincere hearts in, so we hope fans enjoy this song a lot.
Inseong: RPM is an album that members worked in all the process of production. Youngbin, Zuho, Taeyang, Hwiyoung, Chani worked on lyrics and Zuho took a part in composition and arrangement. We did our best to make a high-quality album. We will keep showing you the better version of SF9 every time.
Do you have a music genre or a concept you’d like to try?
Taeyang: I want to try a concept that is a little sexier and more powerful than ‘Now or Never’. We’ve been trying many different genres, and we want to keep trying various genres without limiting ourselves to only one style.
Are you guys working on any new music right now?
Chani: Yes, we’re preparing a comeback while having the Asian tour. Please look forward to our new work... We are working hard to come back with good music so please wait for just a little more.
It’s almost the end of the year. How has 2019 been treating SF9? Do you have any standout moments?
Jaeyoon: Seoul concert is the most unforgettable moment. I felt the greatest happiness communicating with fans on the stage and every member had a solo performance in a way they wanted, so the impression from the concert lingered for a while.
Dawon: For me, the most memorable moment in 2019 was the SF9 Debut 3rd Anniversary Video Event. October 5 was the 3rd anniversary since our debut. Meeting the FANTASYs at the event, I realised again that we could come all the way here thanks to our fans who always support us. Thank you FANTASY!
Please say a few words to your fans.
SF9: Thank you all for your continuous love and support for SF9. We will keep advancing with full efforts. Please give SF9 a lot of attention and anticipation until we come back with a new album.
“Fans have heartily greeted us upon our arrival in Dubai, so now we can feel the passion of K-Pop fans...”