"Stay This Way" fromis_9: Breaking Down the Perfect Summer Dance Performance

"Stay This Way" fromis_9 captures the essence of summer spontaneity with its funk-infused dance beats. Released on June 27, 2022 as the lead single for their fifth extended play "From Our Memento Box," the track tells a compelling story of breaking free from mundane routines and embarking on impromptu sunset trips.

The song marks an important milestone for fromis_9, who had officially moved to PLEDIS Entertainment under the HYBE Labels family in August 2021. This transition proved fruitful as "Stay This Way" and its accompanying EP secured the group's best career sales and results in Korea at that time. Composed in B major with a tempo of 124 beats per minute, the track features synth-laced beats with steady pulse and rhythm guitar elements that add distinctive funk as it builds toward an earworm chorus. Following their earlier 2022 comeback "DM," this release maintained familiar elements while introducing the catchy repetition of the title phrase as a memorable hook.

The Story Behind 'Stay This Way'

The journey toward fromis_9's summer hit began in May 2022, when industry representatives reported the group was preparing for a late June comeback. Pledis Entertainment subsequently confirmed these reports, noting the significant detail that Baek Ji-heon would rejoin the group after her health-related hiatus that began in February. This announcement thrilled fans who had been eagerly awaiting the return of all nine members to the stage.

Comeback timing and context

"From Our Memento Box" marked fromis_9's second mini-album of 2022, arriving just five months after their January release "Midnight Guest" with the title track "DM". The timing positioned them perfectly for summer promotions, with preparations including filming their music video in the tropical location of Saipan. On June 9, the tracklist revealed "Stay This Way" as the lead single, building anticipation for the group's evolving sound.

Return of Baek Ji-heon from hiatus

The comeback held special significance as it reunited all nine members. Baek Ji-heon, the group's youngest member, had stepped away from activities in February due to health concerns. Her return completed the group's lineup after a four-month absence, allowing fromis_9 to showcase their full performance potential once again. Fans were particularly excited to see the complete group dynamic that had contributed to their rising popularity.

Impact of the car accident on promotions

Two days before the album's release, an unexpected setback occurred when five members—Hayoung, Jiwon, Seoyeon, Chaeyoung, and Ji-heon—were involved in a car accident on June 25. Although the injuries weren't serious, medical professionals advised consistent treatment for muscle pain and contusions. The accident forced the cancellation of their media and fan showcases.

Nevertheless, the group proceeded with the album release as scheduled on June 27. Member Park Ji-won later reflected, "It is unfortunate that the accident happened just before our comeback. But I focused on recovering, so I was able to follow through with the promotion schedule as planned". During the first week, the group performed on three music programs: M Countdown, Music Bank, and Inkigayo, albeit with modified choreography for the recovering members. Despite these challenges, they maintained their momentum, eventually winning first place on four music shows during their second week of promotions.

Musical Composition and Style

The sonic landscape of "Stay This Way" builds upon fromis_9's signature sound while introducing fresh elements that perfectly capture summer's essence. Composed by Justin Reinstein and Lee Woo-min "collapsedone" alongside Anna Timgren, with lyrics from Seo Ji-eum, the track showcases masterful production aligned with the season's vibrant energy.

Funk bass and summer pop elements

"Stay This Way" continues fromis_9's series of "funky, high-octane dance-pop songs" that began with "Feel Good (SECRET CODE)" and evolved through "WE GO" and "DM". The track features a synth-laced beat with steady pulse that creates an infectious groove. Notably, rhythm guitar adds distinctive funk elements as the song builds toward its climactic chorus, while maintaining a light, pleasant atmosphere throughout. This musical foundation perfectly complements the group's bright vocal delivery, creating what critics described as "an energetic pop song with all the vitality of summer".

Key, tempo, and arrangement details

Technically, "Stay This Way" was composed in the key of B major with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. This upbeat tempo contributes significantly to the song's energetic summer feel, making it danceable yet relaxed enough to maintain its breezy character. The arrangement skillfully balances vocal harmonies with instrumental elements, lifting "in all the right places" according to music critics. Furthermore, the group focused on capturing their initial emotional reactions during recording sessions, aiming to complete recordings within an hour to preserve authentic feelings.

Lyric theme: spontaneous summer escape

Lyrically, "Stay This Way" tells the story of "an impromptu trip, breaking free from the dull and exhausting days". The narrative centers around spontaneous summer adventures at sunset, with vivid imagery of white sand, ocean waves, and moonlit nights creating an immersive escape. This carefree theme resonates throughout lines like "As if today is the last", encouraging listeners to embrace fleeting moments.

fromis_9's evolving sound under HYBE

Since joining PLEDIS Entertainment under HYBE Labels, fromis_9's musical identity has matured while maintaining their characteristic brightness. Member Lee Chae Young noted, "We feel very confident now that we're once again working with [PLEDIS Entertainment founder] Han Sung Soo, who has been our producer since our debut". This collaboration has allowed the group to explore "diverse genres and concepts" while refining their distinctive pop sound. Consequently, their albums increasingly reflect "pop and grown-up leanings" in both songs and vocals, demonstrating their artistic growth under HYBE's guidance.

Choreography and Performance Breakdown

Beyond its catchy melody, the visual performance of "Stay This Way" stands as one of fromis_9's most memorable choreographic achievements. The dance routine showcases a perfect balance of technical precision and summer energy that elevates the song's appeal.

Signature moves and formations

The choreography incorporates several distinctive elements that have become fan favorites. Most notably, the dance features numerous domino effects—chain reactions of movements that create dynamic visual interest. The pre-chorus showcases this technique brilliantly, with members creating a cascading bend movement while focusing on either Jiheon or Saerom in the center. Additionally, the floor formation during the final chorus key change creates a dramatic moment as Jiwon stands center stage while other members arrange themselves on the ground.

Energy and synchronization on stage

The dance routine demands lively movements that perfectly convey the song's bright summer atmosphere. What makes fromis_9's performance particularly impressive is their unified energy and synchronized execution—essential elements that create cohesion throughout the choreography. Their performance video demonstrates remarkable precision in transitions between formations, specifically during the key dance break sections. This synchronization remains a hallmark of fromis_9's stage presence.

How the dance complements the lyrics

Uniquely, the choreography directly translates lyrical themes into physical movement. During Hayoung's line "널 바라보며 stay this way" (Look at me and stay this way), her hand movements flow from head to shoulders to hips, reflecting the sustained notes in each syllable. Moreover, Jisun's "Fireworks across the sky" line features members arranging themselves at different heights with upraised arms mimicking exploding fireworks. These interpretive elements make the performance visually engaging.

Performance video vs. live stages

The group's choreography video offers a polished representation of the dance, yet live performances reveal subtle adaptations. Following the car accident before their comeback, the group modified certain choreography elements during their first week of music show appearances. Nevertheless, these adjustments did not diminish the performance's impact—as evidenced by reactions to their song festival appearance, which prompted enthusiastic audience responses.

Reception and Achievements

Following their move to PLEDIS Entertainment under HYBE Labels, fromis_9's "Stay This Way" marked a significant turning point in the group's commercial success. The summer anthem showcased their growing popularity in the K-pop landscape, proving the group's upward trajectory.

Chart performance in Korea

"Stay This Way" debuted impressively at number 14 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated June 26 – July 2, 2022. The track likewise reached number 12 on South Korea's Billboard chart. Importantly, the mini-album "From Our Memento Box" achieved the group's best career sales in Korea at that time, highlighting fromis_9's expanding fanbase. On monthly charts, the song secured the 85th position on Circle's rankings, demonstrating its sustained popularity throughout the competitive summer season.

Music show wins and accolades

The group's hard work paid off with an impressive five music show wins—their most successful promotional cycle yet. Their victory streak began on July 5 with SBS MTV's "The Show", marking their first trophy for the song and fourth win overall. The celebration continued as they claimed trophies on MBC MTV's "Show Champion" (July 6), Mnet's "M Countdown" (July 7), KBS2's "Music Bank" (July 8), and SBS's "Show! Music Core" (July 9). In fact, fromis_9 won first place on all four music shows during their second week of promotions.

Fan reactions and critical reviews

Fan reception proved overwhelmingly positive, with many declaring it their "favorite summer song". Critics offered varied perspectives—some praised its "steady pulse and arrangement that lifts in all the right places", whereas others noted it "lacks a bit of impact". Overall, reviewers acknowledged the song as "nice" and "summery", yet some felt the music video "did not do the song justice".

Comparison with previous singles like 'DM'

"Stay This Way" continued the musical direction established by "DM," which had earned the group their first music show win in over three years. Both releases showcased fromis_9's refined "light, groove-driven pop sound". However, "Stay This Way" distinguished itself with stronger summer elements and more prominent funk influences. Song Ha Young reflected on their progress: "With this album winning first place in five music shows... now is the time we can show our utmost collaborative effort".