The six-member group ONF has been together since 2017, with some of the most original, daring interpretations of pop music in recent years. In creating their own narrative, the group has crafted five EPs, a studio album, and most recently, a collection of tracks titled City of ONF, reminding the world what they are capable of – yet adding a new flare to their signature style.

ONF’s willingness to challenge typical pop music constructs is a welcomed change to the industry, and some of the group’s prior releases such as “Moscow Moscow” or “Yayaya” feel enriched with an instrumental bliss, demonstrating that ONF is far from a cookie-cutter act. With a handful of unforgettable singles, admirable chart placement in Korea, and their previous album surpassing 76,000 units, ONF is both able and willing to start their next chapter on an uplifting, yet reflective note.

This City of ONF release is a true treat to fans who get to enjoy a repackaged collection of the group’s hit songs, and a perfect introductory release for those unfamiliar with the creativity of the group. The new single “Ugly Dance” acts as a great re-debut opportunity for the group’s next phase, playing with a little funk-fueled production, and following through with their always reliable powerhouse performances – erupting into a chorus of enigmatic beats and refined vocals.

The group’s members all bring something essential to the table, with a perfect blend of stalwart performers, a brilliant team of collaborators, and unforgettable raps to heighten their reputation with every new song. ONF isn’t purely limited to niche styles, despite their success with the jazz, brass-heavy music, the group’s ability to integrate new sounds with pop music has been something that has given them respect from fans around the world – opening the door for them to continue to find the importance of paying respect to genres and sounds that helped shape the platform as a whole.

Because of ONF’s earnest artistry and expansive inspirations, the group found themselves amongst some of the biggest industry vets around – from Pentagon and The Boyz competing to prove themselves on Kingdom against fellow influential artists. Through each release, and every challenge presented, ONF regularly proves that they have what it takes to push forward and persevere, making the group an incomparable act that accentuates the strengths of each and every member.

Now that ONF has dropped City of ONF, we were able to speak to the group about the release that’s rooted in the past, as well as some of what to expect from the future.

Congratulations on the new album! Your lead single on City of ONF is titled “Ugly Dance”. Can you tell us more about the song?

Hyojin – “Ugly Dance” is a dance song based on hip-hop. It has a message about dancing and singing in your own style instead of getting swept up in the trends. It carries on the narrative of “Beautiful Beautiful” and we sing of freedom. The dance to the song is more powerful and more energetic than the music we’ve done previously.

E-Tion – While the previous title track “Beautiful Beautiful” delivered a hopeful message about treating life as art and liberating oneself as a beautiful being more than anyone else, this time “Ugly Dance” has a message from ONF to encourage ourselves to break out of our stereotypes. The song exudes hip energy that is unique to ONF, so please look forward to our performances.

Can you share your favorite moments on set filming “Ugly Dance” music video?

J-Us – I remember having fun filming with the members throughout on set and playing games during breaks in between.

MK – We shouted our slogan before filming our group dance scene and it cheered me up and created a lot of fun synergy among the members, so we had a lot of fun on the shoot.

You’ve embraced different styles and avoided following any traditional path over the years. Your music leaves an impression! Which songs do you have the most fun performing live?

Hyojin – “Sukhumvit Swimming” is the song we enjoy the most while performing live. And among other tracks, I remember enjoying the stage with FUSE, singing “All Day.”

E-Tion – “Beautiful Beautiful” itself is energetic and cheerful. So, it gets more exciting and fun, every time we perform.

U – “Beautiful Beautiful” is a very cheerful and exciting song. We have so much fun ourselves and feel happy on stage while performing the song.

If you had to pick one of your released songs, and one of the three new singles to represent the past/present of ONF, which would you choose to express your personalities?

Hyojin – “We Must Love” was very loved, and the song is what made us who we are now. So, I think the song represents the past ONF. Among new tracks, I think “Ugly Dance’ best represents the more improved ONF now.

E-Tion – I’d like to pick “Complete” and “Beautiful Beautiful” as tracks that represent the past and present ONF. “Complete” represents the refreshing vibe from our rookie years, whereas “Beautiful Beautiful” represents the freshness of grown-up ONF.

FUSE has been eagerly waiting to see you tour. Which places do you look forward to performing live?

J-Us – Wherever we go abroad, we’re reminded that our fans are always cheering for us from everywhere and we get a lot of strength and energy. Last year, we had to cancel our Europe tour schedule. We were so sad. I really hope to go on our Europe tour when things get better.

Wyatt – I want to meet every FUSE face to face from around the world at our concert. If I had to choose one place, however, personally I’d really like to perform in America someday. We filmed the music video for “Complete” in LA, and I remember the liberating and fun atmosphere in America. I think it’s going to be a fun concert with our fans there.

U – We’re eager to meet all our fans from around the world who are waiting for us. It’s hard to pick one country and I look forward to creating our live performance together with all our FUSE from all over the world. Due to Covid-19, I haven’t been able to go to Japan, so I really want to meet with our FUSE in Japan and perform.

Your previous album ONF: My Name, tied your highest-charting release at number 3 on Gaon which must have been pretty exciting to see! When you hit those big career moments, do you ever do anything specific to celebrate outside of the hardworking studio time?

J-Us – It’s usually late by the time we finish our schedule. So, during break time, while filming music shows, we enjoy small pleasant things like having chicken and chatting with the members.

Wyatt – Rather than celebrating outside of our studio to do something special, we work on our music as usual, or focus on our practice at our practice room.

MK – I’m like Wyatt. Producing music is what I usually like to do so I focus on making better music for our fans.

When you think about the experiences that came from working on this era, what is one of the best group memories that’ll stay with you for years to come

Hyojin – We competed on the show called Road To Kingdom. It’s been a great opportunity to showcase our new sides and I remember we all worked so hard while preparing for our performances. I can never forget the moment and how I felt when we got first place at the competition.

Wyatt – Each and every moment we were together will be memorable. Every day has been fun and challenging and all these times we’ve been through together will be the best moment. I cherish every moment that we are together.

MK – The best and the most memorable moment will be winning first prize for the first time with ‘Beautiful Beautiful’ on the music show and saying our speech.

As we round out our interview, do you have any parting messages for fans about your new album?

E-Tion – FUSE, we will work hard to show you great performances and music during our activities. Thank you for always cheering and showing us love. We love you.

J-Us – Like “Beautiful Beautiful” conveyed a hopeful message to many of you, “Ugly Dance” brings our message about dancing and singing in our own style instead of getting swept up in the trends. I hope you will enjoy our exciting performance and dance to the rhythm with us.

U – I’m so happy and excited to bring our new music to our fans. We will work hard during our activities thinking about our FUSE. Please look forward to it. We’ll put all our energy into every performance to show you the best stage.

City of ONF is out now, so make sure to check it out!