SF9’s Ongoing Legacy in K-Pop

Photo: FNC Entertainment

So, SF9 (which stands for Sensational Feeling 9) is this really dope South Korean boy group known for their slick performances and how they can jump between different music genres. They made history as the first dance-focused idol group from their agency, FNC Entertainment. Since they first arrived on the scene in 2016, they've really carved out their own unique path in K-Pop. They've dealt with their fair share of changes and industry shifts, but they've always kept evolving their sound and growing their global fanbase. As we look at their story, it's clear that resilience, experimentation, and a strong group identity are what they're all about.

The Formation of SF9

They first came together as winners of FNC’s “NEOZ School” training program. They were performing as the NEOZ Dance Team for a bit before they really proved themselves by winning the Mnet survival show d.o.b (Dance or Band) in 2016. The original nine-member lineup consisted of: Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Zuho, Rowoon, Yoo Taeyang, Hwiyoung, and Chani. Officially, they debuted on October 5, 2016, with Feeling Sensation and a powerful title track called “Fanfare.” 

Their debut was a big deal because it showed FNC was stepping into the performance-heavy side of K-Pop, which was different from their band-oriented acts like FTISLAND and CNBLUE. From the beginning, people noticed how in sync their dancing was and their ability to pull off different concepts. They built up a steady stream of music with early hits like “ROAR” and fan-favorites like “O Sole Mio” and “Now or Never,” showing off their knack for moving effortlessly between pop, R&B, EDM, and even Latin-inspired sounds.

SF9’s Growth and Groundbreaking Releases

As the years went on, from about 2017 to 2021, SF9 kept building a discography that was all about trying new things. You could really hear them maturing with tracks like 2019’s “Enough.” 

Albums like First Collection and Turn Over continued this trend, and singles like “Good Guy,” “RPM,” and “Tear Drop” totally cemented their reputation as one of K-Pop’s most stylistically flexible groups. In 2021, they got a chance to show everyone what they were made of on the high-profile competition show Kingdom: Legendary War. Their performances were like mini-plays, super theatrical and with intricate dance breaks. That level of innovation won them a lot of critical praise and brought a whole new wave of attention to their skills.

An Adaptive Period

Like a lot of groups, SF9 has gone through some big transitions. In 2023, member Rowoon decided to leave the group to focus fully on his super successful acting career. After that, the group carried on as a tight eight-member team. On top of that, the guys started taking turns enlisting for their mandatory military service, which meant that for a while, the lineup for albums and promotions was always shifting. But even with all these changes, the group's sense of unity never broke. Jaeyoon, Inseong, and Youngbin all finished their service and rejoined group activities in 2024–2025. As of now, Dawon is still enlisted, and Zuho has started pursuing an acting career, which means the active members can change depending on the comeback cycle.

SF9 is Back

SF9 made an exciting return in 2025 with their 15th EP, Love Race, which dropped on March 11. The lead single, also called “LOVE RACE,” is this super energetic, synth-driven track, and the whole EP has six songs that show off their powerful vocals and sharp choreography. This release was special because it marked Jaeyoon’s comeback after his enlistment, and it featured six active members. 

SF9 has firmly established themselves as a versatile and resilient group, both in South Korea and around the world. The way they've handled lineup changes, military service, and the general ups and downs of the music industry, all while keeping a strong group identity, is something people really admire. With nearly a decade in the industry under their belts, SF9's journey is a real testament to the power of adapting, exploring creatively, and sticking together with a shared vision.