The Forgotten Impact Of f(x)

25 minutes ago5 min read

f(x)'s Beginning

f(x), a K-pop girl group that strived to push boundaries and create a name for themselves. They became one of the under-recognized groups for introducing noise music, and experimental concepts slowly became a staple of K-pop that is still recognizable today. The group was under SM Entertainment and was highly awaited because of their previous successors (Girls' Generation, BoA, and S.E.S.). They were announced soon after, notably having many people excited and curious about their music. The five members, Victoria Song, Amber Liu, Luna, Krystal Jung, and Sulli, were unique and complemented each other with the vocals and visuals showcased.

Their first song released presented the fashion and the sound at the time but foreshadowed the upcoming success they were about to face after their debut performance. One of the most significant and unique things about f(x) is having three foreign members, unseen by SM Entertainment at the time. Regardless of the technical attributes of the group, the general outlook and the music itself had created a statement for itself at the time. It was one of the first times that fans saw a girl group pushing against the girl group's standards in fashion and applying louder instrumental and unique discography for themselves.

As their career progressed, more experiments in sound and concepts were conducted and executed well. It was rare for people to see these concepts done in general, but more importantly, by girl groups at this time.

f(x)'s Heavy Influence

Many fans of the group and older K-pop music argue that f(x) contributed heavily to the new aesthetics and concepts introduced after the group's career and how they've made a staple of being unique to their craft. It's argued that they were unique and experimental for their era and slowly influenced other companies and their groups to follow in this new age of K-pop. It was rare to see these concepts and songs produced and performed because of the standards of all groups and members individually. Billboard recognized f(x)'s Pink Tape as one of the best K-pop albums of 2010, and it continues to be one of the most iconic albums of K-pop visually and musically.

K-pop fashion was changed after f(x)'s contributions, the quick uprising of the tennis skirt in K-pop is argued to be heavily contributed by the girls. Lingering on with some outfits that girl groups wear or recreate when covering the group's songs, pushing against the beauty standards in K-pop. Having a masculine-presenting member and not wearing the girl crush-like outfits that every girl group expected in the 2nd to 3rd generation phase. Their influence on fashion and concepts is crucial to the turning age of K-pop and what it was becoming. The girl's concepts for album promotions were unseen and new to the industry, presenting a new idea that women can execute these concepts and gain an audience.

Why f(x) was forgotten

These experiments done by women were very taboo at the time and were looked down upon especially some of the member's views on social/political issues in South Korea. This further led to some of the hate that the group faced in their later years and one of the members parted ways with the company because of how intense it was getting, and the lack of support they received. Their success was quickly lost and outnumbered compared to the new era of K-pop and debuting groups. The repeated cycle of SM Groups is the neglect that an older group faces after a new group debuts after the previous rookie group has been in the industry for more than 2-3 years.

The discussion regarding f(x) on social media platforms is arguably misguided and continues to overlook the influence they created for the industry as one of the first girl groups not to fall into the common genres and concepts for performances and photos. As stated before, f(x) became one of the first (or more successful) girl groups to have a masculine-presenting member; it was one of the first (and arguably last) times that's been showcased in K-pop. The discussions are misguided because newer K-pop fans never recognize or know of f(x), even though they are one of the most influential groups in K-pop. Leading K-pop fans to never understand who f(x) is and how they influence the industry. Making SM's plan to forget the group's existence and legacy follow through.

The company saw fewer opportunities with the group after 3rd generation girl group 'Red Velvet' debuted and focused on the debut and continuing songs that Red Velvet released. The mistreatment each member was facing behind the scenes and the public made Sulli leave the company and continue in solo activities; it took over a year for the company to release a song with the remaining four members, which was successful but would be the last time that fans would ever see the women performing together again. Each member never continued their contract with the company and began solo activities.

The remnants of f(x) in K-pop Today

What's most frustrating about their neglected success is how constant this continues to be in K-pop today. The backlash they continued to face in and outside of South Korea became growingly apparent as the group parted ways. They might not have been the first group to experience mistreatment, but what members faced by SM Entertainment and netizens places f(x) as an example of the true reality beyond what fans see online. The company destroyed the motivation for each member to continue in the industry or make music as a whole. Despite f(x) going unrecognized by many K-pop fans today, their hidden influence on K-pop still has remnants of their time. Recognizing the fact that the group was so close to creating a larger and more memorable legacy if there weren't limits by SM Entertainment.

The constant overshadowing that f(x) had throughout their entire career can contribute to their fall from grace. Their elder groups are Girls' Generation, 2NE1, SHINee, BIG BANG, and many more. The issue developed from this was the lack of acknowledgment and opportunities they lost during award shows and segments with the popularity groups had compared to f(x). Even though their promotions and popularity decreased in South Korea, the loyalty of their fans will continue to acknowledge and talk about the group at any opportunity.

As someone who goes into rabbit holes and deep dives regarding K-pop and the changes in the sound, I believe f(x) was a large contributor to this influence, to the point that if they were being compared to current groups, it would be hard to rank f(x) on being most unique and experimental as many groups now have continued their legacy of pushing the standards of K-Pop. Regardless of comparing groups to each other, the experimental girl group created a staple of what K-pop is significantly known for among fans and casual listeners. It was first looked down upon to have these eerie-like concepts and lore connected within the group, whereas it's almost expected for newer groups to adapt to these concepts.

It makes you wonder where K-pop would be today without the five-member girl group f(x).