ONF is No Stranger to Showmanship in “The Stranger”
WM Entertainment’s six-member boy group ONF (pronounced “On And Off”) makes their February 18 triumphant return with their newest LP ONF: My Identity and the title track “The Stranger.” Sidestepping into a funky, percussive pop sound, the group in the shadow of their April 2024 release “Bye My Monster,” which ranked sixth on Billboard’s “25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2024,” opts for a new approach for the big screen with “The Stranger.”
Perhaps this is the core of ONF’s identity after 9 years in the K-Pop industry: the group, named after the contradiction of being both “ON” and “OFF,” is no stranger to switching concepts. From bright, peppy summer beats to sweeping orchestral rock ballads, ONF changes the rules of their own game with each release, alternating between bright (ON) and dark (OFF) concepts. One thing remains consistent: the drama. Working with longtime production and lyrical partner Hwang Hyun (MonoTree), with the contributions of members Wyatt and Minkyun on both lyrics and composition, ONF creates a new, fresh release that keeps their identity true to their fun, playful, and innovative showmanship.
The title track “The Stranger” kicks off the LP with a groovy baseline, brass pizzazz, and an explosive guitar chorus. The song is balanced: the members belt out the chorus and slide into a sparkling high note with each verse of “Ready Action,” only to go right back down to earth for a more minimalist, but percussive jazz scatt: “Stoop-di-bap-di-bap, be-de-de, doo-bip.” This back-and-forth creates the playful sense of mystery that laces throughout the song. “The Stranger” culminates in a final, show-stopping chorus with fresh twists on its now-familiar high slides, before bringing the roaring guitars and chorus of vocals right back down for one last funky jazz scatt of a curtain call. It’s a treat to listen to, with a distinct musical theater-esque texture that’s both classic and refreshing. It’s a musical depiction of ONF’s identity, from high belts to funky bass, and the group finds whimsy in contrasts.
What the funky-fresh instrumentals and distinct musicality of “The Stranger” brings to the table, the music video struggles to deliver. Compared to the pure cinematic fun of its musical counterpart, I expected more story, or, at least, more glamor. Members Hyojin, Seungjun, Wyatt, E-Tion, Minkyun, and Yuto are on the case, analyzing found footage, case files, and flickering, eerie hallways as paranormal investigators. The mysterious “stranger” caught on film, takes the shape of a glowing nebulous humanoid figure or a pair of glow-in-the-dark footprints dashing across the screen. By the conclusion of the video, the lyrics close the case: “I’m the stranger” the members chant, “I’ll master my own days.” Yet, this twist is lost in the conceptual fog of the music video, which becomes murkier as it moves along. Rather than closing the case, I found myself confused as the members went from investigation to, well, dancing in some sort of desert. But, what the music video lacks in cohesion, the members more than make up for in charisma, energy, and vocal performances, that match the bold and layered instrumentals of the song, and its funk, dance-driven energy.
“The Stranger” melds perfectly into the subsequent, also funky, B-side “Night Tale,” which is certainly the little sibling of its title track predecessor. With a synth-y dance break, harmonic adlibs, and echoing electric guitar riff, there’s nothing to do but bop your head and tap your foot as “Night Tale” brings you right back to disco.
For B-sides “Nothing but a stranger (ON Team Ver.)” and “Anti Hero (OFF Team Ver.)” the group splits into their respective “ON” and “OFF” sub-units, each providing a new layer of complexity to the album’s heretofore funk-driven sound. R&B ballad “Nothing but a stranger” cools the album’s pace to the ON Team’s (consisting of members Hyojin, E-Tion, and Minkyun) lilting adlibs and runs. It’s quintessential 90’s Rhythm N’ Blues and I eat it up every single time.
OFF Team (consisting of members Seungjun, Wyatt, and Yuto) takes the opposite approach to the crooning, twinkling ballad of “Nothing but a stranger” with “Anti Hero.” A pounding club beat, heavy, jagged rock guitar, and aggressive, forceful vocal performance ramp up the energy in this hip-hop rock B-side. I’m a sucker for rock, so it’s my favorite track on the album. I appreciate that what this track offers in aggression, yelling, and rage it balances with light vocal harmonies and clever musical layering; it’s musicality is never compromised.
Quick-paced “Good Place” pairs bumping house music with airy flutes and twinkling vocals. It didn’t stick out to me as much as its counterparts on first listen, but I found myself reaching for it over and over. It’s catchy, not too repetitive, and everything one could hope for in a K-Pop house track.
The final track “Collab” pairs easy-listening elevator-esque rhythms with the light-hearted cheer. It’s bubbly, refreshing, and a fitting closing credits scene of a standout album.
ONF:My Identity is a fitting successor to a rowdy, 9-year discography that leverages ONF’s trademarked sound of layered harmonies, complex bridges, and punchy, unique choices which continue to go against the grain of trend-cycles in K-Pop. It’s showy, it’s flashy, it’s grounded. It’s everything I expected from them in the best way possible – a fitting hallmark of ONF’s self-determined identity.
Edited by Lacey Diluvio