SF9 Shows off Unlimited Talents at Los Angeles Show
Unlike some of the new K-Pop acts hosting stateside tours this spring and summer, SF9 is no rookie to conquering the U.S. The boys returned for their Unlimited Tour, hitting four U.S. cities and concluding in Los Angeles before heading to Europe. Their L.A. concert at the Fonda Theatre treated fans to a compilation of new performances of songs off their latest EP Narcissus as well as some old favorites.
Fantasy made sure to bring the energy last Friday, filling the venue with their jigubongs (their official lightstick name) and official merch. And they were rewarded with stunning visuals and a setlist filled to the brim with fan service and SF9’s biggest hits. There was no shortage of beautiful stage graphics—from the blaring red lighting and backgrounding during “Now or Never” to the yellow floral aesthetic during their performance of “Life Is So Beautiful.” As anticipated, a majority of the setlist centered on the Narcissus tracklist, with every song getting its own spotlight. Their latest lead single, “Enough,” was performed early on in the show, setting the tone for the darker sleek concept that accompanied this latest comeback.
While it’s customary for any K-Pop concert to be filled with talk sessions in between songs, SF9 really provided fans with extra content to create a memorable show. Inseong served as the head translator and emcee for the night. He communicated well with the fans and created an easy-going environment that filled in any awkward silences that sometimes occur due to language barrier. During the first talk session, the boys shared some of their memories in Los Angeles, including riding electric scooters and Chani sharing that he ate street tacos in Hollywood. During the second break, Dawon showed fans a “special dance” to “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande, which was met by screams of approval. Taeyang joined in and did brief dance covers of “Kill This Love” by BLACKPINK and “Love Shot” by EXO. Throughout all talk sessions, Inseong proved to be the star, having a naturally comfortable charm that made it easy to connect with these English-speaking fans.
The real treat for the whole concert was the individually prepared stages. Dawon, Chani, and Zuho came out and performed “See You Again” originally by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa. They revealed later on that they had started practicing the song just one week before going on tour. Jaeyoon and Taeyang serenaded fans with a cover of “Nothing Like Us” by Justin Bieber. Hwiyoung and Youngbin switched it up with their rap track “Zeroff,” and Inseong took us home singing “Versace on the Floor” by Bruno Mars. The performances of English songs helped to reach some relatability with the fans and provided them unique performances they are sure to cherish.
Elevated by their striking stage outfits, each performance had such fitting choreography that helped to highlight the track being performed. The boys combined “Just On My Way” and “4 Step” to provide a fun ‘90s-esque stage that stood out against their more hard-hitting stages. “Mamma Mia” was another highlight; Rowoon sent a finger heart to the fans while Taeyang hit the woah and dropped down into the splits. “O Sole Mio” also proved the boys’ crisp dance moves that they make look so effortless. It’s apparent that the boys are comfortable on stage, despite being outside of their home base.
The encore gave fans an extra three songs, with the boys using it as an opportunity to interact with the fans. There was picture posing, hearts being sent out, and overall acknowledgment of the fans. At one point, Dawon was doing the choreography in that infamous bunny ear hat, right before getting an entire water bottle poured on him by Rowoon. SF9 concluded the show with a humble bow, reassuring their love for the fans and their eagerness to return in the near future. It’s easy to see how, despite their comparably humble beginnings, the group has been able to build a dedicated fanbase worldwide, with their impressive performances and dedication to their fans. The boys’ future truly looks unlimited.