Fromis_9, like many k-pop groups, was created through a reality show, and their name literally means “From Idol School”. As the name suggests, they did originally have nine members: Chaeyoung, Nagyung, Jisun, Jiwon, Hayoung, Saerom, Jiheon, Seoyeon, and Gyuri, but Gyuri left after her contract expired in 2022, and Jisun, Saerom, and Seoyeon left after theirs ended in 2024. They were originally under Stone Music Entertainment, then Pledis (home of SEVENTEEN), then the HYBE corporation, and now they’re under new company ASND (which also manages soloist Wendy).

Here are my credentials: Like…one and a half? I’d consider myself a casual fan of Fromis_9; I’ve enjoyed a good deal of their singles, I know a couple b-sides, and I’ll sing along if their songs come up on shuffle, but I really don’t know much about the members and I’m looking forward to learning more! Also, from a more logistical side, I’m just on the heels of a four week long SHINHWA deep dive, and I needed something shorter, more fun, and way less heavy. So, let’s get into it!

EP #1: To. Heart

So, their first song was Glass Shoes in late 2017. I heard about Glass Shoes before I heard the song itself; I’m almost always wary of managing my expectations when fans call something “the best debut in ___ years” and the like, and this was no exception. It’s one of the most k-poppy k-pop songs I’ve seen in a while, between the aegyo, the cutesiness, the pastel colors, and the schoolgirl outfits, which is often an uphill battle when it comes to my enjoyment of a song…but that actually wasn’t the case here! I wasn’t so sure at the beginning, but I loved Glass Shoes’ brightness and never-ceasing energy, and by the second chorus, I was nodding my head along.

To Heart was their official debut, as Glass Shoes was from their competition show, and begins with Gyuri playing the violin quite beautifully, before trailing into a more synthy, classic 3rd gen cutesy sound. The schoolgirl outfits have returned, unsurprisingly, but I’m happy to say that I enjoyed this one too. It’s fun and playful, and the touches of classical strings mixed with the very down-to-earth filming style and humor helped to ground it. 

From the 1st EP, To. Heart, I enjoyed the sweetness of the spoken-word intro The Way To Me, but my hidden gem was Pinocchio, for its flitting back-and-worth chorus, hints of doo-wop, and brassy instrumental.

EP #2: To. Day

If Glass Shoes and To. Heart felt very schoolgirl, DKDK is absolutely giving k-drama protagonist in the summer. As someone who both loves k-dramas and especially cats, I can’t deny that the music video gave me a huge smile. I like how its pre-choruses are a little lighter and fluffier before the synthy chorus takes over. Like with Gfriend, I’m much less annoyed by the cutesiness than I would be when it’s paired with other things and some good humor. Also, I’m not the biggest music video person, but I can’t deny that Fromis_9’s are pretty unique.

From the EP, To. Day, I enjoyed the sprightly distorted energy and rushing-forward chorus of Think Of You and the great layers of belting in Clover. My hidden gem was a song I’d heard of but not heard before: 22nd Century Girl, which is bubbly in the best way and utilizes synths for a roller-skate ready chorus without losing any of its youthful energy.

Single #1: From.9

Love Bomb is one of the songs I know best from Fromis_9, and was my favorite of the few I knew of them for a while. It’s still very poppy and bright, but leans further into synth than their previous songs, with more minimalistic verses and a chorus that rushes forward like…well, a bomb. I like the comic book animations, the spacey backgrounds, and the stop-motion-esque dance; how an MV can be so delightful while heavily featuring dynamite is beyond me.

From the single, From.9, I enjoyed the sleek, more mature sound of Dancing Queen and

Single #2: Fun Factory

With a “Come on girls, get on the floor!” that leads right into the first chorus, FUN! certainly lives up to its name. It’s a little haphazard, going back and forth from rising verses to an aegyo-filled chorus that…seems to be an ad? Though I like almost all of its parts separately, together they don’t quite gel. I did enjoy the outro and watching the MV though; I was also happy to see Gyuri playing the violin again.

From the single, Fun Factory I enjoyed the light synths of Love Rum Pum Pum.

EP #3: My Little Society

Feel Good is the beginning of a slight shift in Fromis_9’s sound, similar to TWICE’s maturation starting with Fancy and Feel Special. It relies on the synths always present in their songs, but with less cutesy vocals, a more toned-down brightness, and less of a pop overlay. Though I do like this one, I don’t think it quite feels like Fromis_9 and it sounds and looks like a lot of other k-pop girl groups of the time.  So, I don’t think I’d search it up, but I’m not going to throw a tantrum if it comes up on my shuffle. Also, the “nanana”’s are stuck in my head, likely as revenge.

From the EP, My Little Society, I enjoyed the “dripping, dripping, dripping” hook in Weather, the gentler vocals in Somebody To Love, and the jazz-tinged Mulgogi (Korean for “fish”, which is quite funny) with its funky guitar.

Single #3: Nine Way Ticket

We Go is a song I’d heard before, when it came out during COVID. It has a synthy beginning as well, but feels like genuine, warm-hearted fun; exactly what was needed at the time. It’s straightforward and nothing incredible, sure, but its brightness and emphasis on optimism and friendship feels like it holds the heart of Fromis_9 in it, and had me going, “aww” at several points.

With We Go, I was reminded of something that I’d mentioned earlier; Fromis_9’s music videos are honestly some of the most unique and creative that I’ve seen in k-pop. They’re often funny, strange, and use interesting framing or setups like the excellent zoom boxes dancing in We Go or the comic book animation in Love Bomb. I don’t know how responsible the members are for their music videos, of course, but still, kudos to whoever is. I don’t think that I would love We Go as much as I do without its MV.

Single #4: Talk & Talk

Talk & Talk starts where We Go left off—literally, the music videos are connected—and goes for a similarly bubbly, excited-in-love feel that takes from old video game chiptune. I loved this one’s matching 60’s / 70’s aesthetics, phone battery metaphors, and fizzy production, though I think it has a similar issue to FUN!: I like all the parts, but they don’t gel together that well. I feel like the verses should lead in to the chorus a bit more, personally, but that’s a small issue.

Next time, we’re onto Part 2. Tschüss!