[TF Focus] 'Still,' the passion of N.Flying that has endured for 11 years

'Still' Message, N.Flying Narrative ResemblesMany songs gained recognition late through consistent activityBand N.Flying released their ninth mini-album 'Still' on the 8th. This album includes a total of 7 songs, including the title track 'Still'. / FNC Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Band N.Flying has reignited the embers of passion they've kept burning for 11 years.N.Flying (Lee Seung-hyub, Cha Hun, Kim Jae-hyun, Yoo Hwe-seung, Seo Dong-sung) released their ninth mini-album 'Still' on the 8th, featuring a total of 7 songs including the title track 'Still'.It's interesting that they are highlighting 'Still' as they enter their 12th year, having passed their 11th anniversary. In particular, the message contained in 'Still' remarkably resembles the history of the band N.Flying, adding to its significance.First, 'Still' is a song about 'passion that still remains'. N.Flying members said through their agency, "We created 'Still' with the hope that it would be an opportunity to re-ignite passion that had unknowingly cooled down or was cooling down," and "Through 'Still', I hope you can confirm your small embers once more and that the passion you've forgotten will blaze up again."However, this message is not just for the listeners but also a story that N.Flying tells themselves. The creation of 'Still' began with a real conversation between Lee Seung-hyub and Seo Dong-sung, and the lyrics contain the message, 'I still hold the same passionate heart as I did back then.'This brings to mind the narrative of N.Flying, who has consistently pursued their activities and created their unique identity without losing passion, despite experiencing changes in member composition and musical direction since their debut.When they debuted in May 2015 with 'Awesome', N.Flying was a band with a strong 'rap rock' inclination, combining rap and rock. Their dynamic music, which incorporated rap into band performances, gave them a different individuality from their seniors at the same company, FTISLAND and CNBLUE, and this characteristic continued in their follow-up single 'Lonely'.While 'Lonely' was sometimes criticized for 'choosing mainstream appeal' due to its lyrical melody and softer sound compared to their debut song 'Awesome', the song's structure, which layered rap over a pop melody and exploded in the latter half, was not significantly different from the methods many rap rock bands had presented before N.Flying.N.Flying has been developing their musical color for 11 years since their debut without losing their passion. / FNC EntertainmentA major turning point in N.Flying's music came with the addition of Yoo Hwe-seung in 2017. With Yoo Hwe-seung, who possesses explosive vocal power and a wide vocal range, joining the band, their musical options greatly expanded. From this point on, N.Flying began to showcase their unique sound, blending strong rapping, clear high notes, delicate emotional expression, and rhythmic performances.In fact, the band's leader, Lee Seung-hyub, has often stated in various interviews that "with Yoo Hwe-seung's addition, the limitations of the music the band wanted to express almost disappeared."Afterward, as Lee Seung-hyub began to lead the songwriting process and Seo Dong-sung officially joined as the bassist in 2020, N.Flying gradually shifted their musical color towards pop rock, emphasizing popular melodies and lyrical emotions.However, this does not mean that N.Flying has completely abandoned their early musical style. Lee Seung-hyub's unique rap and rhythm can still be found in their music, and their cheerful and free-spirited sensibility remains an important element in describing the band N.Flying.As N.Flying steadily refined their music, public perception of them also changed. Interestingly, their music often receives greater love over time than at the time of its release.A prime example is 'Rooftop', released in January 2019. Although 'Rooftop' did not receive much attention immediately after its release, it gained popularity through word-of-mouth after their promotions ended, successfully charting upwards, and even reached number one on the Melon monthly chart in March of that year.This phenomenon repeated itself. 'Flashback', released in 2021, reappeared on music charts this year, five years after its release, and 'Autumn Dream', released in 2019, also reached number one on the Bugs real-time chart in August of this year. Furthermore, 'Blue Moon', released in 2023, is also gaining attention belatedly.It is difficult to explain N.Flying's successive chart comebacks solely as 'luck'. Behind this lies their vigorous live performances. Except for 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, N.Flying has held solo concerts every year since 2018, and in 2025, they will embark on a world tour, performing in over 20 cities worldwide.Looking at festivals, their activity level is even more apparent. In 2025, N.Flying performed at over 30 large and small festivals in Korea alone, connecting with the live audience.N.Flying performed at over 30 festivals while on their world tour last year. These active live performances are a major reason why N.Flying's songs tend to chart upwards belatedly. / FNC EntertainmentThrough these active live performances, N.Flying has consistently expanded their fanbase and breathed new life into their songs. And now, this attention-grabbing music is creating a virtuous cycle, drawing new audiences to their concerts.It is 'Still', released at this very moment, that embodies this narrative built by N.Flying. For N.Flying, who has held onto their passion for music for the past 11 years and carved out their own space, the message of this song resonates even more deeply.Ultimately, as mentioned earlier, 'Still' is a song that N.Flying wants to convey to themselves more than anyone else, and it's a song that adds new logs to a blazing fire, not a dying ember.Attention is focused on whether N.Flying, who has reaffirmed their 11-year passion, can create another golden age.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]