SF9 member Inseong releases his first solo album today (14th).
Inseong will release all tracks from his mini album 1st 'Crossfade:' and the music video for the title track "Mute is Off" at 6 p.m. today (14th) on various music streaming sites.
Inseong's first solo album 'Crossfade:' captures the moment when two selves coexisting within one person intersect. The album captures the boundary moment when the image of the "real me" in a private space and the "masked me" created by others' gaze collide and gradually overlap. It contains a variety of genres that allow listeners to peer into Kim Inseong's inner self, not SF9's Inseong.
The album includes five tracks in total, including the title track "Mute is Off," "Manchanga," "Sarangharyeoneun Jung," "The memory stained by you," and "You were there then, I am here now." In particular, the title track "Mute is Off," Inseong's first self-composed song, is a rock ballad featuring a compelling vocal and dramatic band sound. Instead of his usually playful image, the lyrics confess his hidden true inner self, and the powerful yet restrained instrumentation sharpens the emotional line of the vocals. By making his first self-composed song the title track of his first solo album, Inseong cements his identity as a solo artist.
Below is a Q&A about the release of Inseong's mini album 1st 'Crossfade:' provided directly by Inseong.
Q. You released your first solo album. How do you feel?
I feel excited and grateful in ways that are hard to put into words, and really a lot of different emotions. As this is my first solo album, I'm happy to be able to share my music with many people, and I hope everyone enjoys the album fully. I'm so happy to be able to open SF9's 2026 with the song I love the most.
Q. What are the listening points of this album?
First of all, all tracks were arranged with a band sound. We did a lot of detailed work from instrumental arrangements to fine-grained chorus parts. Since we worked on the recording down to each syllable, I think it feels like a well-crafted set of songs stitched together carefully. Especially when working on the title track "Mute is Off," I thought a lot about making the lyrics easy to hear, and it is a song that reflects my various vocal styles.
Q. Please introduce the title track "Mute is Off."
"Mute is Off" is a rock ballad with dramatic band sound as its charm, and it is also a song that expresses the change in flow I wanted to convey while being energetic. It carries a message of comfort, and it can be thrilling to listen to while driving. I hope it resonates differently depending on listeners' moods and situations.
Q. "Mute is Off" is your first self-composed song. What did you focus on most while working on it?
I placed great importance on writing lyrics that connect to the album's theme. I didn't want it to be overly emotional; I hoped the honest me would be well reflected in the songs. I'm still learning, so there are shortcomings, but I constantly thought about what would best showcase my voice and express my individuality, and I studied my voice. I don't know how much it will reach everyone, but I put my sincerest feelings into it.
Q. Is there a memorable moment from filming the music video?
A pet appears in the music video, and I have fun memories of filming with the cute pet. Also, the process of completely filling my song by myself helped me a lot in my personal development, and I think it was a moment when I could level up as an artist. When my song played in the large filming location, I felt proud and moved, experiencing many emotions. So every moment of filming was enjoyable. I didn't want to miss a single second.
Q. Besides the title track, is there any other track you would recommend?
Since all tracks were prepared in a band style, I think it's best to listen in order. Starting with the title track, there's "Manchanga," which can offer comfort, "Sarangharyeoneun Jung," which expresses excitement, the nostalgic "The memory stained by you," and the wistful "You were there then, I am here now." Each song has a distinct message and mood, so listening to them in sequence should be enjoyable.
Q. What goals do you hope to achieve through this album and its promotions?
I want to show as much as possible not only my musical growth and expansion of my spectrum, but also the possibilities SF9 can show in 2026. It's been almost 10 years since our debut, and I want to convey the message that we still have unending energy and want to be more active and widespread. And I am confident.
Q. What does your first solo album 'Crossfade:' mean to you?
It is an album that reminded me once again to treasure my love for music. It feels like the album I approached with the passion I had when I first wanted to become a singer, perhaps even more. Above all, it reaffirmed my desire to sing for life in front of the many people who love my music and SF9's music.
Q. Lastly, a message to Fantasy (the fandom name).
While preparing this album, I realized how much of a person who loves singing I am. I always get nervous and excited when I sing in front of Fantasies who are so precious to me. Thank you for making me and SF9 shine for a long time. I will become an artist who can show better sides so we can shine even longer. I am grateful beyond words, thank you again. See you on stage.
[Photo] Provided by FNC Entertainment Co.
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