There is something '60s-psychedelic about the cosmic imagery that K-pop band SF9 bring to the desert for their music video "O Sole Mio." As the nine-member band tries to establish their popular identity, competing for attention with more established groups such as BTS, their blend of Korean, American and international culture has a mind-blowing dimension all its own.
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An Italian phrase blends with flamenco postures, Southwestern architecture and private jets, backed up by dance choreography with exciting physicality. The phrase is a shout-out to the classic Neapolitan ballad "My Sunshine" and the new tune appeared in October on the band's 3rd mini-album entitled Knights Of The Sun.
According to a recent Billboard report, SF9 is managing label FNC's first dance-oriented "boy band" act, and they have turned their primary attention to the American market since this past summer. SF9 has appeared at KCON events on both coasts and their November Be My Fantasy tour hit venues in Boston, Dallas and Seattle.
"We [have] focused on putting our own unique colors on top of this new genre," said SF9's Zuho.
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Zuho explained to Billboard that the group's synthesis of styles on Knights Of The Sun is "uncommon" in Korea's music market.
"We think that ... this album really demonstrated our own style with this new type of genre," said Zuho.
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An American observer must miss the refined differences in color that are better appreciated by fans with Korean cultural connections, but the emotional reaction to K-pop expression in 2017 has hit the United States. And that is where SF9 made sure to be.
