K-Pop Group NOWZ Makes a Comeback with New Name and Mini Album 'IGNITION'

K-pop group NOWZ has made their first comeback after officially changing their name from 'Nowadays' to 'NOWZ' last month.

On the 9th, NOWZ held a media showcase at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their first mini-album 'IGNITION'. The group, which is rebranding and redefining their identity a year after debut, aims to establish themselves as a leading group in the industry.

Hyunbin explained the new name, saying, "'NOW' represents the present moment, and 'Z' symbolizes infinite possibilities. It means 'NOWZ is creating infinite possibilities at this moment.'" He added, "After discussions with the company, we decided to make a fresh start by changing our name." Yeonwoo shared, "'NOWZ' is a name our fans have affectionately called us, so it feels familiar. We believe it will be easier for more people to remember. We've returned with a new name and music, so please look forward to it."

The members have infused the rebranded identity of NOWZ into this album. Jinhyuk stated, "Although we are still searching for our direction, we are taking a step towards our dreams with our unique sensibility. While there are bright and brilliant moments, there are also painful and challenging times. We want to convey empathy and comfort to the youth living in the same era." Hyunbin added, "This album marks the official beginning of NOWZ. We want to leave our mark on the K-pop scene."

Yeonwoo expressed, "Through 'EVERGLOW', we wanted to express our determination. We've practiced for a long time and have gone through tough times." He continued, "The song contains our resolve to rise again and move towards the light without collapsing. We chose the rock genre to express our strong will."

Returning with a new name, NOWZ also made visual changes. Hyunbin introduced Jinhyuk, saying, "Jinhyuk's passion was so intense that his hair turned white. He has undergone the most significant visual change." Jinhyuk, who appeared with bright bleached hair, said, "I wanted to transform my image as much as possible and show a strong appearance. Instead of making a subtle change, I thought it would be better to make a bold transformation, so I dyed my hair."

The album includes the pre-released single 'Fly Freely (Feat. YUQI)', featuring their label senior Yuqi, who participated in writing, composing, featuring, and producing the track. The song captures the worries and growth of youth.

Siyoon shared, "We were grateful to receive a song from (G)I-DLE's Yuqi and Pentagon's Wooseok. They directed us during the recording, and we worked passionately until dawn to create a great result." Hyunbin added, "The most memorable thing the seniors said was, 'You guys are really handsome,' which made us laugh."

The Chinese version of the song topped the new song chart on China's QQ Music. Yoon expressed, "When we heard the news, all five of us couldn't believe it, and we were thrilled. Thank you for loving the Chinese version," and conveyed gratitude in Chinese.

The title track 'EVERGLOW' is an alternative rock song that combines refreshing electric guitar and metal sounds. It conveys the message of 'never extinguishing like a flame burning even in ashes' and expresses the determination towards dreams with NOWZ's intense charm. The main producer EL CAPITXN, known for numerous hit songs, led the project, with members Jinhyuk and Siyoon participating in rap-making.

NOWZ's first mini-album 'IGNITION' was released on various music sites at 6 PM on the same day.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr