SF9’s “LOVE DAWN: 2025 SF9 Live Fantasy #5 Tour in America” Brought K-pop Energy to St. Louis

–by Ashley Cox

K-pop finally made it to St. Louis last week when SF9 played at Delmar Hall in the Loop.

FANTASY, the name of SF9’s fanbase, started to line up early last Wednesday in hopes of getting a good standing view and trading hand-made freebies with each other. St. Louis area K-pop fans are hoping the two most recent tours (SF9 on Wednesday at Delmar Hall and ARTMS on the 14th at the Factory), means they will no longer have to travel to Chicago, Indianapolis, or Kansas City for shows.

Although maybe those travel times are not so bad considering fans came all the way from Canada to hear and see SF9 who have toured in the United States since 2022 and only had 5 stops. This tour has 18 stops and multiple opportunities for interaction.

Those willing to pay a little more were able to attend soundcheck or take photos with the members. SF9 consists of nine members but only five participated in this tour: leader Youngbin, In-Seong, Jaeyoon, Hwiyoung, and Chani. Member Rowoon is on a permanent hiatus to pursue actions, Dawon is currently serving mandatory military enlistment, Taeyang is unable to travel due to injury, and Zuho was also unable to join. The show was well attended and merch sold out before General Admission even hit the inside of the venue.

Though on a smaller stage which typically sees more “traditional” bands, the group was able to dance and move around without it feeling as if they might fall into the pit of screaming fans. It was exciting to hear older favorites such “RPM” and “O Sole Mio” (though I would have loved to have heard “Lullu Lalla” or seen the viral “K.O.” Choreography) along with songs from their latest comeback, the title song “Love Race” and “WARURU.” The latter of which had especially fun, energetic choreography.

Additionally, all members except for Chani prepared solo songs. Youngbin’s “Someday” was a self-composed and a sunny ode to fans. In-Seong and Hwiyoung showed their mature, sexy side with covers of The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” and Sombr’s “Back to Friends.” Jaeyoon sang a moving cover of Billie Eilish’s Grammy nominated hit “Birds of a Feather.”

The only few small critiques have nothing to do with the performance of the band. More available tour merchandise would have been fairer to fans that could not afford VIP entry, though StudioPAV’s website does have a “merch coming soon” page under the tour listing. Additionally, the first three songs featured little to no lighting effects, though they became elaborate throughout the show. Lighting at the beginning is often considered critical as this is when media photographers are allowed in-house to take photos.

Continue to support K-pop tours throughout the United States, especially as visas become difficult to obtain. SF9’s next stops are in Fort Worth, Texas at the Ridglea on November 26th and Houston, Texas at Warehouse Live on November 28th. More information can be found at the tour coordinator, studiopav.com.

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos from the night in the interactive gallery after the setlist below.

SF9 Setlist:

RPM

TRAUMA

WARURU

BIBORA

BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Billie Eilish cover) (Jaeyoon solo)

back to friends (sombr cover) (Hwiyoung solo)

Just On My Way

Round and Round

Enough

Good Guy

Love No.5

O Sole Mio

MAMMA MIA

My Fantasia

Hwiyoung with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Hwiyoung with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Jaeyoon with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Hwiyoung and Jaeyoon with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Ashley Cox.

Chani with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Inseong with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Ashley Cox.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Ashley Cox.

Jaeyoon and Youngbin with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 (Jaeyoon, Chani, Inseong, Youngbin, and Hwiyoung) performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Hwiyoung with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Inseong with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Younbin with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.

Inseong with SF9 performing at Delmar Hall in St. Louis November 19. Photo by Sean Derrick/ Thyrd Eye Photography.