fromis_9 Lives On as a Five-Member Group in Sixth EP, From Our 20’s
Photo: fromis_9 Official X
While on vacation in August 2017, I turned on the television in a Seoul motel room I was staying in and found a channel called Mnet (perhaps you have heard of it). As someone unfamiliar with K-Pop idol culture at the time, the survival show Idol School seemed like a strange concept. Yet, just months later, I considered myself a fan of fromis_9, the girl group formed from that exact show.
Despite having prominent pre-debut promotions, fromis_9’s career has seen the group undergo management changes, endure long hiatuses between music releases, and face member departures. Even with the departure of Gyuri in 2022 and the departures of Saerom, Jisun, and Seoyeon in 2024, fromis_9 continues to persevere. Now, they are re-establishing themselves as a five-member group under a new company. fromis_9’s latest move sees current members Hayoung, Jiwon, Chaeyoung, Nagyung, and Jiheon making a comeback under ASND. On June 25, the quintet released their new EP, From Our 20’s, which sports a hopeful sound for their future.
TRACKLIST:
“LIKE YOU BETTER”
“REBELUTIONAL”
“Love=Disaster”
“Strawberry Mimosa”
“Twisted Love”
“Merry Go Round”
“LIKE YOU BETTER”: Another Summer Success
After the fromis_9’s last eight-member performance at the 2024 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, Saerom, Jisun, and Seoyeon decided to “go their separate ways”—the group did not disband even though all members left Pledis Entertainment. fromis_9 did not leave fans in the dark for long as they geared up for their summer re-debut. The pop-rock song “LIKE YOU BETTER” is another great summer single after 2024’s “Supersonic.” Befitting of the group’s situation, “LIKE YOU BETTER” addresses keeping long-standing bonds. The phrase “LIKE YOU BETTER” refers to the connected relationship between people, as memories are better experienced together.
The music video sees the members taking a summer road trip as they wonder where the journey takes them. It packs in a feeling of initial uncertainty that turns into joy. The disposal of suitcases at the end of the video seems to imply that they won’t be leaving.
The other tracks on From Our 20’s also seem to take inspiration from the rock genre. “REBELUTIONAL” is an uplifting anthem with chant-like singing, and the punk rock song “Love=Disaster” comes with an energizing sound Hayoung and Jiwon cite as their favorite off the EP. Jiwon helped compose and write “Strawberry Mimosa,” a song whose bassline creates a weightless feeling like floating on water. Hayoung also participated in the composition and writing of “Twisted Love,” which takes an inspirational feeling like “REBELUTIONAL.” The EP’s final song, “Merry Go Round,” keeps the fun going with a brass-filled instrumental.
The way the EP concludes feels much like the action of a merry-go-round: fromis_9 will always come back around. Though they now perform as a smaller group, From Our 20’s assures me that fromis_9 will continue on an upward trajectory. This EP will see many streams from me this summer. After their promotional period for this new release, fromis_9 will embark on their first world tour, [NOW TOMORROW.].
Edited by Joi Berry