Nearly a decade after his debut with SF9, IN SEONG takes a bold first step in the music scene with his solo career and album, ‘Crossfade:’.
After ten years of showcasing his prowess as the main vocalist of SF9, IN SEONG now takes the spotlight as a solo artist, building upon his experience in the music industry as a veteran.
On January 14, IN SEONG launched his solo journey with his first mini-album, ‘Crossfade:’—a project exploring the boundary between his “real” and “covered” selves. Featuring five tracks, including “Mute is Off,” “Feast of the Night,” “Trying To Love,” “Stained Memory,” and “Still You, Now Me,” the album sees IN SEONG pouring his heart into narrating various versions of himself.
Notably, the artist lent his hand to both composing and penning the lyrics for the title track, “Mute is Off.” Reflecting on the process, IN SEONG shares: “I really gave it my full effort and worked incredibly hard on it.”
Following his solo debut, allkpop had the opportunity to sit down with IN SEONG to discuss ‘Crossfade:,’ the musical styles he’s eager to explore, and the beginning of SF9’s 10th anniversary. Check out our exclusive interview with IN SEONG below!
allkpop: Congratulations on your new solo project! How does it feel to kick off 2026 with your first solo mini-album?
IN SEONG: I’m incredibly happy, and it means a lot to be able to present an album I worked so hard on as a kind of New Year’s gift. Every day during promotions feels almost like a dream, and I’m putting my whole heart into every performance.
allkpop: Now that you’ve released ‘Crossfade:,’ what else is on your list that you’re aiming to achieve for the rest of the year?
IN SEONG: I’d love to perform at more festivals and events, and if given the chance, I want to create more self-composed songs. Above all, since this year marks SF9’s 10th anniversary, I want to make it a memorable and meaningful year by working closely with the members and the company on great projects. I’m confident about it!
allkpop: Tell us about ‘Crossfade:’. What is it about the collection of songs and the album title that made you think this was the perfect one to put out as your first mini-album?
IN SEONG: ‘Crossfade:’ refers to both fade-in and fade-out, and it also represents the boundary of my emotions. Each track captures different states of “real me” and “covered me.” I felt this album was right for my first mini-album because it’s built around genres that best express my voice. I really wanted to showcase a refreshing pop band sound, and I think the cohesive structure and storytelling make it a great fit.
allkpop: You contributed to the lyrics and composition of the lead single, “Mute is Off.” What did your days look like while working on the song?
IN SEONG: I first started thinking about writing my own song in the spring, but I seriously began working on it in the summer. I was juggling performances at the time, so it wasn’t easy physically. But whenever I had time, I went to the composer’s studio to work on guides together. I spent a lot of time building the theme of the song in particular, listening to demos repeatedly on flights, adding lyrics, and singing them over and over. I really gave it my full effort and worked incredibly hard on it.
allkpop: What do you hope to convey with “Mute is Off”? And is there any other song on the album that you particularly want to talk about?
IN SEONG: I wanted to share my own voice and my thoughts. Rather than conveying something heavy or grand, the lyrics are very honest, so I hope listeners can feel a wide range of emotions. Through live performances especially, I want to show how sincerely and earnestly I sing. Each track has its own unique charm, so I’d love for people to listen to the album straight through like a playlist. There are many subtle sounds and details hidden throughout, so I think it becomes even more appealing in different listening environments.
allkpop: Moving forward, do you have any genres or musical styles in mind that you would like to try, or that you think would be a perfect fit for your solo work?
IN SEONG: Since I started with a band sound, I’d like to continue exploring different styles within that realm. If I get the opportunity, I also want to study genres like city pop and R&B more deeply and create something great in those styles as well. Ultimately, I want to build performances that people can enjoy in many ways, so I plan to work on more dynamic, stage-friendly music in the future.
allkpop: Lastly, please leave a message for allkpop readers and your fans who are going to read this interview.
IN SEONG: It is an honor to share the energy of my first step as a solo artist and the beginning of SF9’s 10th anniversary with you. I’ll continue to work hard with humility, keep growing, and always sing with all my heart. Thank you so much.
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