Fandom 50 Post 7: fromis_9 and the complexities of timing *^____^*

[glitteryv]

fromis_9 is an 8-member* girl group that formed at the end of the 2017 reality survival show Idol School. Many idol groups are the result of those type of shows. Including (but not limited to) TWICE, Stray Kids, Winner, SF9, Pentagon, etc. Personally, I feel there's less stigma w/r/t groups coming from reality shows in Korea than over here in the West? I'm not sure, tho. Hmm.

(* Gyu-ri opted to not sign the new contract when the group's management went from Off The Record + Stone Music to Pledis in 2021. She had a year left in the (now) old contract, so she left at the end of July 2022 and has since signed with another company.)

ANYHOO, this is where I admit I had been vaguely aware of who fromis_9 was. Sadly, it hadn't occurred to me to check them out until last year when I saw them in the HYBE x GAME CATERERS episodes. They were extremely charming. So much so that, since those episodes aired around the time of their latest comeback, I figured that was a good enough sign to see what their music is about.

And let me tell you, I'm sort of 😒 at myself for not doing that sooner! Their songs are v. fun. I'm now (and v. slowly cuz there are only so many hours in the day) making my way thru their content. If there's one (1) advantage to getting into a group years after they've been around is that (hopefully) there will be tons of variety shows and concerts to watch. :P

ANYWAYS, the song that deffo hooked me was "Rewind".

IIRC, this was the second single from the From Our Memento Box EP. On the music side, I really like the random trumpets. Lyrically, it's kinda of a sad song? The theme is abt someone remembering a past relationship with a combination of wistfulness and heartbreak.

The dance practice

Watch on YouTube

Now, my overall impression abt this group is that they lean v. heavily into the cute girl group concept. And that's fine, btw (I'm adding that line to make sure that I'm not coming across as judgy abt that cuz internet tone can be iffy to parse, etc.). This time, though, I can sort of see a more sophisticated vibe throughout? There are lots of hip swaying and body rolls; the members seem to channel their usual 'sunny' personas into something more alluring. I dig it. I dig it all. Also, they are FANTASTIC DANCERS!


Here's my fave of the music show performances. Everything from the staging to their fits end up enhancing the overall vibes. Trigger warnings: Not many this time aside from random zooming in and out + a moderately busy background graphic on the screen.

Watch on YouTube

And, finally, here's the MV. It, once again, combines the slightly more mature feel of the song with fromis_9's overall playfulness.

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[lirazel]

I agree that fromis_9 is a very fun and charming group with really enjoyable songs! I think they're quite underrated.

[glitteryv]

I wonder why that is. Since everything I've seen from them (content-wise) + listened to has been good-to-great.

[lirazel]

Yeah, I'm not sure either. But I've given up on trying to figure out why some girl groups take off and others don't. During the 2nd gen, I assumed it was mostly a big 3/not big 3 divide, but that has very much broken down now, so it's clearly something more complicated than that.

[glitteryv]

I came in at the tail end of 3rd gen, so that assumption never occurred to me. Especially as there are so many girl groups nowadays from smaller/independent companies. FWIW, I do think that fromis_9's change in management came at a good time? Not that they were, like, floundering before. It certainly helps that HYBE/Pledis haven't changed a lot of the 'formula' of what makes this group such a treat.

Adding to that is the recent-ish move from HYBE to show ALL Of the artists in the company interacting with each other vs. pre-2021 where I think the most we saw of artists being friend was BTS and TXT. It's a change for the better. Oh, and circling back to fromis_9, I also noticed that two of the members co-wrote songs. I really like seeing idols (who are interested in songwriting and/or producing) getting the opportunity to do so. That goes double for rookies and any female idol in any company.

[lirazel]

Back at the height of 2nd gen, when we were moping over how 9Muses or Brown Eyed Girls or After School were not getting the appreciation and attention they deserved, we mostly just said, "Well, it's because they're at a tiny company. If they were with one of the Big Three, they'd be flourishing." But I think that was always a reductionist argument. Kara and Sistar and 4Minute and other groups from smaller companies had very respectable careers. There's something else going on.

I'm very into Dreamcatcher, and the fandom consensus seems to be that the music shows, etc. are actively shafting them. I have no idea whether or not that's true, but I do know from the way JYJ was treated after they defected that that kind of thing actually does happen. I just don't know how widely.

I really like seeing idols (who are interested in songwriting and/or producing) getting the opportunity to do so. That goes double for rookies and any female idol in any company.

Same! It delights me!

[glitteryv]

Re Dreamcatcher: I do know they FINALLY got a music show win last year. After FIVE YEARS in the business. Good lorde. I don't really know how often they've been on music shows. Um, mainly cuz I only watch fancams of my faves.

ANYWAYS, even they aren't my cuppa, I do like that they are still around doing their thing. Also that they renewed their contract last year. Like some time BEFORE it was gonna expire.

BTW, have you checked out Pritti-G? I recently came across a song of theirs called Love Taker that reminded me a lot of Dreamcatcher's sound.

[lirazel]

They're on music shows all the time! And have been from the beginning! It's wild!

I am not familiar with Pritti-G! But I am always up for obscure girl groups!