Hwiyoung of SF9 Releases First Single Album Traveling Fish

When you think of SF9 member Hwiyoung, the first thing that comes to mind is likely visuals and rapping. In his activities with his group, he doesn’t get many verses and certainly few, if any, vocal lines, especially in the early days after his debut. In the last year he’s been given the liberty to take the chance to release some solo music now that SF9 is cycling through their military enlistments. 

Single album Traveling Fish features two previously released singles, “Drive5” and “HBD,” along with the new title track “IT IS L0VE ♥.” “Drive5” is a track still on my heavy rotation playlist and one that gained a good amount of attention, with over two million streams on Spotify. These solo tracks showcase a different artistry to Hwiyoung, giving a chance for his vocals to shine through in each track. They all also have a very different distinctive sound, with “Drive5” giving us a taste of R&B Hwiyoung, “HBD” giving us a pop-rock Hwiyoung, and “IT IS L0VE ♥” giving us a pure pop Hwiyoung. 

“IT IS L0VE ♥” is a sweet and soft track devoid of any rap verses. Hwiyoung isn’t often portrayed in such a gentle light, but it is surprisingly refreshing to see him in such a concept. There’s not much to say about the feel-good track other than it places a heavy focus on Hwiyoung’s vocals, which are deceptively outstanding for a rapper. While I prefer the R&B style for his music, he does a good job at presenting a multifaceted talent in the new title track. 

The music video is also quite cute, with heavy summer vibes complemented by vibrant blue and yellow hues. It’s no surprise that a strongly visual artist does well at portraying a sweet disposition to match the vibe of the track. If you’ve had a rough day, the soft sweetness of this video may do the trick in bringing even just a small smile to your face. 

Check out the music video for “IT IS L0VE ♥” below!

Edited by Rachael Lovette