SF9 hits career high with new release 'Turn Over'

K-pop boy group SF9 / Courtesy of FNC Entertainment

By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop boy group SF9 has hit its career high, selling more than 143,000 copies of its ninth mini-album “Turn Over” during the first week of its release (July 5-11), according to album sales tracker Hanteo Chart.

FNC Entertainment, home to SF9, said Tuesday that this is nearly a two-fold increase compared to 72,000 copies sold last year.

“The first week sales of SF9's eighth mini-album '9loryUS' ― which came out last July ― was 72,000 units,” the agency said in a statement. “The nonet has seen a significant growth in sales this time, setting a new record in its career.”

Upon its release, “Turn Over” secured top positions on the iTunes album charts in eight regions including Finland, Czech Republic and Colombia.

The mini-album is fronted by the lead single, “Tear Drop,” an emotional dance track characterized by a U.K. garage style beat.

“We added some genderless elements to our performance, as a means to deviate from our original style,” member Yoo Tae-yang said during an album showcase in Seoul, July 5.

Leader Youngbin added that the nine-piece act initially planned to drop 'Turn Over' before making an appearance on Mnet's competition show, 'Kingdom: Legendary War.' On the program ― which also featured five other K-pop boy groups including Stray Kids and The Boyz ― SF9 drew extensive attention for highlighting its androgyny on its performance of Taemin's “Move” (2017).

“Thanks to 'Kingdom,' we discovered the 'color' that fits us the best,” he said. “So we changed the choreography of 'Tear Drop' afterward.”

SF9, consisting of Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Rowoon, Zuho, Yoo Tae-yang, Hwiyoung and Chani, debuted in 2016 with the tune, “Fanfare.” Since then, it has put out numerous tracks such as “O Sole Mio” (2017) and “Enough” (2019).

“Turn Over” is SF9's first album since all nine members renewed their contract with FNC in March.