I’m unsure if I am starting to become out of the loop with KPOP news, but SF9’s comeback surprised me. It came out of the blue one day 2 weeks ago when SF9 dropped their first music video teaser. The lead single of this comeback is titled Don’t Worry, Be Happy and is featured on their 14th mini-album, FANTASY. This comeback is the first time the group is promoted as a 5-member group – consisting of Youngbin, Inseong, Yoo Taeyang, Hwiyoung and Chani. ZUHO left FNC Entertainment (though he remains part of the group, but plans for participating in this comeback apparently fell through), while Jaeyoon and Dawon are currently serving their military enlistments.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy is a pleasant pop number. It has the necessary elements to make it a dance track, while the funky and groovy undertones in the instrumentation bring out a cheerful and happy pop demeanour. The latter is perfect for Don’t Worry, Be Happy, whose lyrics advocate being happy for a former partner while letting go of your feelings for them. The pleasantness I mentioned before comes from everything instrumental-wise being light and not in your face like other funky and groovy tracks. The same can be said about the song’s melodies and hooks. As so much of Don’t Worry, Be Happy does come off as pleasant, I want to pull up a discussion I wrote in another review recently. Pleasantness can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it fits in with the intent and messaging behind Don’t Worry, Be Happy (which is understandable as to why the producers would go down this direction for this track). On the other hand, the pleasant nature of Don’t Worry, Be Happy limits the song’s potential to be different and stand out. While it is good, Don’t Worry, Be Happy does come off like every other pop song, making it standard and generic. The same can be said about the members. I found them to also be another pleasant constant in Don’t Worry, Be Happy. While they sound good throughout the song. But in keeping with the pleasantness of the song, this somewhat stifles the members’ potential, and we don’t get to hear anything interesting from them. Overall, pleasant is good and appropriate in Don’t Worry, Be Happy, but it does come with some set-backs.

The music video concept for Don’t Worry, Be Happy is a user manual for getting over a breakup. Based on what I see in the video, the recommended steps are to visit the diner serving food that erases memories, go to the coin laundry for a fresh start, take your car for a wash to wash the pain away, leave one last message to your former lover on the pay phone, and celebrate your breakup. The SF9 members become happier as the video progresses, so these steps will work for everyone else.

The choreography isn’t the most memorable piece from the group, but I think it fits the bill. It also feels relatively light, which works with the pleasantness of the song. This also helps bring a refreshing vibe into the choreography, which works for this time of the year.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.6/10