SF9

XP Interview

SF9, "Rivals with Pentagon? It's a win-win relationship"

FNC Entertainment's first boy dance group SF9 debuted with the fancy Fanfare. The debut single is a tight but dramatic and fancy song that mixes trap, hip-hop and electronic sounds. It's a song that shows SF9's energy and charms.

We met with SF9 at their Mnet M!Countdown waiting room and asked them about their debut showcase, their own characteristics and their original intention.

Q1: You're thoughts on your debut stage?
Youngbin: We performed on stage at our debut showcase, but we feel the pressure to do even better for this stage. It's been mentioned often, but as the first boy dance group from FNC, we have to show impressive performances so that we won't give a bad image to the other artists in our agency. Since we are nervous, the members tense up when going up to the stage.

Q2: Don't you feel presured as the first boy dance group?
Dawon: I don't think that's the case. Of course we're walking forward carefully, since many fans are watching and expecting a lot from us. But I don't think our management puts a lot of pressure on us. I feel like they are pretty accommodating with us.

Youngbin: Honestly, I do feel the weight of peoples' eyes as we're the first boy dance group from FNC.

Dawon: I don't feel anything like that (laughs.) Our leader is responsible for all nine members so of course he will the most burden.

Q3: Of all the responses to your debut showcase, what kind of reaction made you happy?
Jaeyoon: We couldn't predict how many people would come to the showcase, so I was taken aback seeing the seats full. I'm really thankful. Thinking that all these people were supporting us even from our first step was quite touching. I got pretty emotional.

Q4: Seems like your amount of practice was pretty amazing?
Rowoon: We start practicing at sunrise and finish just as the sun starts to rise again. Since we also have to watch our weight, we can't just easily eat that late. We drink a glass of milk and go back to the dorm

Q5: Soon, Pentgon will debut. Your resolution for going against them?
Juho: At the time when our management building was close to other entertainment agencies, we could meet other agencies' trainees at snack food restaurants near the office. We would share our experiences with each other and exchange tips about practicing. It can't be seen as rivals, but I think it can be a win-win relationship with god synergy between the two groups.

Q6: What did your seniors advise about your first stage?
Taeyang: CNBLUE's Lee Jungshin and N.Flying reminded us to always greet people when we are at the broadcasting station.

Rowoon: FT Island's Choi Minhwan and Lee Hongki told us that we've worked hard and to keep working hard going forward. They also reminded us to never forget the spirit and mind of a rookie.

Q7: What about CEO Han Sungho?
Dawon: He's not the type to talk a lot, so when he does we feel the weight of every word. He came for a bit and said "Keep working hard in the future." We also heard that he worries over our team and put a lot of interest on this team. We're thankful for that.

Q8: In the middle of boy group flood, what makes SF9 diffrerent?
Inseong: We are a group that stands on the border between boy and man. Even on our album, one song could sound quite boyish while another song is pretty masculine. We can express both concepts and the nine of us have own color. I think the ability to take on various concepts is our strong point.

Q9: How did you decide the leader?
Dawon: We picked based on the opinions of our members and our management. It's important to pick someone that can be the middle person between the team and the management. Even before our team was officially formed, Youngbin was the leader of the trainees in general.

Q10: It's day one after your debut. What is your original intention?
Rowoon: I think consistent and tireless effort is important, not just splash and splatter. I want to be a group that grows relentlessly, step by step. I'm confident in being steady and consistent.

Dawon: I want to keep giving off a fresh charm. I'm 22 years old now, but I have the pureness and genuineness of a 12 year old. I want to keep this genuine heart until I'm 32, 42 or 102. Since it's the era where people live until 100 years. I hope we can still be singing together when we're 100. Then we'll be a group between boy and grandpa.

Jaeyoon: My original intention it to keep my cuteness. Even when I'm 99, I hope to keep my dimples as they are. I will make our fans trapped in the 99 year old dimples!

Inseong (short poem): Let's never lose our original intention. We'll remeber it fiercely.

Taeyang: I hope to become a group that is always passionate. To keep performing passionately on stage, I take a lot of nutritional supplements. I want to continue standing on stage without losing my passion, spirit and charisma.

Q11: Lastly, any message you want to say?
Chanhee: Today is our first stage on a music broadcast. We will show more cool and polished looks in the future. Taking out two hours of sleep. I think we practice for 22 hours every day. I'm sure there will be more difficulties and hardships in front of us, but we will show you a better side of us. We will be a group that's always doing there best.

Translated by: fysf9 / SF9NATION

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