On the 4th of May, sixteen years ago, f(x) released their first Mini-Album, NU ABO.
NU ABO solidified f(x)'s quirky, experimental image in K-pop, blending electro-pop, hip-hop, and unconventional song structures; driven by the energetic title track, the album stands out for its playful yet edgy sound, showcasing the group’s unique vocal colors and willingness to push boundaries compared to more traditional girl group releases of the time.
F(x) Deep Dive: The Most Experimental K-pop Group?
TW: Mentions of mental health, depression, and suicide.F(x) is pretty unique in k-pop—pretty unique in general, really—not very popular duri
Happy 15th Anniversary to F(x)!!!
TW: Mentions of mental health, depression, and suicide.
F(x) is pretty unique in k-pop—pretty unique in general, really—not very popular during their time, but now are almost universally thought of as being one of the strongest groups of the 2nd gen. They debuted with five members: Krystal, Amber Liu, Victoria, Luna, and, of course, Sulli, who tragically took her own life in 2019, which I will be discussing more later on. Trigger warning, of course. If you don’t want to hear this, skip to the 1st EP’s section. If you’d like to see it in full, click here.
Here are my credentials: By the time I was a k-pop fan, F(x) hadn’t had a release in a couple years, and so I never really got into them. I am a fan of Amber’s solo career and I know a bit about Krystal through her sister Jessica, a former member of Girls Generation. But from the first time I came across her, I was a fan of Sulli. I admired her outspokenness, her style, and her activism. Sulli was an outspoken feminist, one of the first in the industry. She advocated for mental health awareness and against cyberbullying. And by all accounts from those that knew her, she was a wonderful friend. A paragraph can’t do her justice, but please check out BBC’s article on her. If you’d like to learn more, check out the special reviews section of this website.
