ONF transformed 180 degrees from ‘cool → dark’ [Q&A]

Group ONF released their 8th mini album 'BEAUTIFUL SHADOW' through various music sites at 6 PM on the 8th.

This album was released about 6 months after ONF's 7th mini album 'LOVE EFFECT' released in October last year. The 8th mini album 'BEAUTIFUL SHADOW' presents a dark mood and emotional yet powerful music that is significantly different from the previous album.

ONF performed the title song 'Bye My Monster' and the b-side song 'Breath' at the solo concert '2024 ONF CONCERT 'SPOTLIGHT' IN SEOUL' held on the 6th and 7th. , Haze&Shadow' (Breeze, Haze & Shadow) stage was revealed for the first time and received an explosive response with overwhelming performance and singing ability.

ONF's latest album has been receiving a positive response from fans at home and abroad, including No. 1 on the music site Bugs' real-time chart after its release on the 8th. They shared their thoughts on the release of their 8th mini album 'BEAUTIFUL SHADOW' and stories about their comeback through their agency WM Entertainment. The Q&A was released.


Q. Please tell us your thoughts on releasing your 8th mini album ‘BEAUTIFUL SHADOW’.

Hyojin : This 8th mini album has a completely different feel from the 7th mini album 'LOVE EFFECT' released in October last year. I thought I'd like to work with a dark concept again someday after I'm discharged from the military, and I'm so happy and excited to be able to do it!

E-Sean : This is an album that captures the duality of love in ONF's style, and I think you will be able to feel the more mature charm of ONF. This is an album we worked hard to prepare with a lot of determination and expectations, so we ask for your love.

Seungjun : This 8th mini album 'BEAUTIFUL SHADOW' is an album that contains ONF's deeper emotions, so it was new while preparing, and we did a lot of research on expressing emotions. I hope you enjoy watching not only the singing but also the stage.

Wyatt : I think I'm even more excited because it's a great album that has been made to a higher level of perfection for our Fuse (official fandom name) people. I think you will be able to see a different side of ONF. Please love me a lot!

Minkyun : I had high expectations for our comeback after a long time with a refreshing feel and a different, dark concept. I've been thinking a lot about wanting to show it to Fuse people as soon as possible.

Yu : It was great to come back with a dark concept after a long time, and I was very excited about making new memories with the fans and prepared hard. Through this 8th mini album promotion, we will show you a powerful and beautiful stage of ONF that has never been seen before!


Q. Please explain the overall concept of the album.

Hyojin : For the 8th mini album 'BEAUTIFUL SHADOW', we tried to express 'the duality of love shown through light and shadow and the pure love contained within' with our own unique lyricism, and ONF's expanded music This is an album that tried to capture the world.


Q. This is your second album after discharge from the military. I’m curious what kind of album it is for the members.

Hyojin : I hope this album will be loved by many people as it contains really good songs. We will do our best in our activities!

E-Sean : This is the first time I’ve heard such vague and dark music since I was discharged from the military. This is an album that we worked hard to prepare to show a more mature and cool side. We ask for your interest.

Seungjun : Whenever I prepare an album, I think a lot about the performance and songs to show a good performance, but for this album, I put a lot of effort into both the performance and the songs. I think this is an album that contains a lot of ONF's earnestness, and I want to show our performance to many people.


Q. Please introduce the title song ‘Bye My Monster’.

Seungjun : The title song 'Bye My Monster' is a pop dance song with a classic atmosphere and strong band sound, and quotes the theme from Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, III. Adagio. It is a song that gives an even more majestic feeling. Each member's long-winded lyrics are connected to a single story, and the combination of lyrical yet powerful vocals, rap, and harmony allows you to feel intensely immersed.


Q. What are the listening points of ‘Bye My Monster’?

E-Sean : We added a dark ONF style to the classic part in the middle of the title song. You may feel that it is unique because it adds a powerful sound to a lyrical classic, but I think that is the point of listening.

Yu : I think the listening point is the interlude that comes after the refrain. The sounds of the instruments are so beautiful, and if you listen carefully, you can even hear the piano, and it feels like listening to a work of art. Also, the strings that keep coming out create a great overall atmosphere, so I feel healed every time I listen to it.


Q. Is there anything special you prepared and focused on for this album as the concept changed?

Hyojin : I paid a lot of attention to this title song because I thought the song was great, but the performance was really cool. I think you will be more immersed if you listen to the music while watching the performance.

E-Sean : Because the concept is the exact opposite of refreshing, we focused on a more intense performance so that you would forget what we showed in our 7th mini album.

Seungjun : The parts we focus on the most are the concept and lyrics. As it expressed the 'duality of love', a lot of attention was paid to the choreography, facial expressions, and mood changes that represent dark and bright sides.

Wyatt : I practiced a lot because I wanted to show a perfect performance. Also, in order to grow musically, I tried to improve my expressive skills by listening to a lot of music, and I prepared hard by directly participating in the work.

Minkyun : In the process of preparing for this album, I thought performance was more important than anything else, so I did a lot of detailed dance practice and practice to build up my physical strength.

Yu : We put a lot of effort into preparing the choreography for this album's title song 'Bye My Monster'. It felt different from the choreography style I had done so far, so I practiced paying close attention to the details of my hands and the gazes of the six people. Also, it's been a while since I've performed on stage with dancers, so we've worked together a lot and I'm happy to be able to show a performance on a larger scale.


Q. Members Wyatt and Minkyun’s participation in the song stands out. Please tell me what aspects you took into consideration when working on it.

Wyatt : I usually participate in writing lyrics, but this time I also participated in composing. The song ‘Slave To The Rhythm’ was created taking into account the characteristics that only ONF can bring to life. Monotree people also provided a lot of help, so we were able to improve the level of completion.

Minkyun : I participated in composing ‘Aphrodite’. Unlike the 7th mini album, which exuded a refreshing and unique charm, we made a lot of effort to show a new feeling. I worked on it while thinking a lot about the pop feel.


Q. You performed the new song for the first time at a solo concert before its release. It must have been a special feeling. How was it?

Hyojin : I was really happy to have a concert after a long time. I was very excited and looking forward to showing off my new song while practicing. I was very worried, but I felt fortunate that Fuse people really liked it, and I was happy too.

E-Sean : I was excited and happy because it was my first solo concert in a long time and I was able to hear the cheers of the fans. Also, it was even more refreshing as it was my first time performing a pre-release stage since my debut.

Seungjun : I was very happy to be able to communicate with Fuse and perform the concert, and I was very happy because it felt like it was a special stage where I was the first to hear my new song to Fuse.

Wyatt : I was fortunate that I was able to show a lot of things that I worked hard to prepare with the members, and that I was able to keep the promise I made to Fuse. I prepared for the concert with excitement and had a really happy time.

Minkyun : I think the Fuse people had high expectations because it was our first solo concert in a long time. It was fun and I was very happy to be able to show a variety of stages and new song performances as expected.

Yu : I was very happy to be able to show the album to fans before it was released. I was nervous because it was the first release, but I felt like I performed well on stage and the reactions from the fans were so enthusiastic that it was thrilling!


Q. Is there a goal you want to achieve through this album?

Hyojin : I hope that through this album, many people will take interest in the group ‘On and Off’ and that there will be more Fuse members.

Seungjun : As we are proud of ONF's songs, our goal is to become known to the wider public and sweep the music charts.


Q. What are your future plans and what message do you want to convey to your fans?

Hyojin : I would like to communicate with many FUSE people while performing not only in Korea but also overseas. ONF will continue to bring happiness to you through more activities, so please look forward to it and support us a lot.

E-Sean : I think we will now have a lot of time to show our performances to Fuse people in various countries. I will prepare hard so I hope you will wait. Please leave it to us this year too.

Seungjun : I want to continue to make many unfulfilled memories with the Fuse people and make them happy every day with fun content. See you often, I love you Fuse.

Wyatt : We, ONF, want to be a good gift for our Fuse people and be a source of support. We will work harder to create more days where we can be together in the future. Let’s make more memories together. i love you.

Minkyun : We have prepared hard to show a good performance in this activity, so please give us a lot of support. I love you, Fuses, for whom I am always grateful.

Yu : Even after this activity ends, we will continue to create opportunities to meet fans, so we hope you will always enjoy it with us. i love you


Lee Min-kyung, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr