Sometimes I like to think about why certain groups never became as popular as they could have. For non–Big 4 groups, the obvious hurdle is usually being from a smaller/nugu company. But even in those cases, if managed well, you can still maximize a group’s potential and reach a fairly sustainable level of popularity.
One group I often think about is SF9. They had so much potential, but a lot of things went wrong along the way. Here are a few reasons I personally think held them back:
Age gap dynamic – With Inseong (’92) and Chani (’00) in the same lineup, the age spread didn’t create the kind of boy group “dynamic” that usually clicks with fans. Unless a group is formed on a survival show, I think this type of age gap doesn’t really appeal as much.
FNC’s focus on Rowoon – It often felt like the group existed so the company could push Rowoon (and maybe one other member) as actors. That shift in focus made it seem like the group wasn’t the priority.
Visual harmony – This might sound unusual, but the extreme height differences between members made the group look a bit mismatched on stage. There was no cohesive “visual balance,” which actually matters a lot in idol group appeal.
On top of that, FNC relied on outdated promotion strategies, which didn’t help in an already competitive 3rd gen/early 4th gen landscape.
For me, SF9 had so much raw talent, but the group dynamic never fully came together. Personally, I think they might have been stronger as a 5-member lineup (Taeyang, Hwiyoung, Chani, Youngbin, Dawon). The others didn’t necessarily ruin the group, but they also didn’t add much to its overall synergy in terms of visuals and balance.
I used to be a fan until around 2020, when Rowoon’s presence started to feel more detached. Group dynamic is one of the most important factors for me (and I think for a lot of fans) when it comes to stanning, and unfortunately SF9’s always felt off.
submitted by /u/Over_Length_440
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