NEXZ Makes a Bold Comeback with 'Mmchk', Showcasing Their Unique Identity

The group NEXZ has firmly established their identity and message with 'Mmchk'.

JYP Entertainment's boy group NEXZ (Tomoya, Yuu, Haru, So Gun, Seita, Huey, Yuki) held a media showcase at the Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 27th to celebrate the release of their second single album 'Mmchk'.

This album marks their first release in about six months since their mini-album 'Beat-Boxer' last October. As this comeback coincides with their second anniversary, the members emphasized their growth and the unique color of NEXZ. Yuu shared, "I still vividly remember our debut," and expressed a desire to reach more people through this activity. Tomoya reflected on their journey, recalling, "I was so nervous the night before our first showcase that I couldn't sleep, but we've continued to grow since then."

The title track 'Mmchk' encapsulates the group's direction. Tomoya explained, "Instead of following a set mold, we adhere to our own standards and enjoy without regrets, embodying the 'NEXZ Way'. It expresses cheerful energy and confident self-assurance." The song's keyword, 'Mmchk', signifies a call for attention, conveying their intent to showcase their charm and performance even when unnoticed.

Performance is also a strong point. Haru noted, "It's hard to define with a single genre as it blends various styles, highlighting each of the seven members' dance styles." Huey described the key choreography as "movements expressing the desire to capture people's attention."

The album further solidifies their identity as a 'self-producing group'. Tomoya, Huey, and Yuki participated in writing the title track's lyrics, while the song 'HYPEMAN' features lyrics solely penned by Yuki and Tomoya. Yuki shared, "I thought of our fans and included the message, 'Because you shine, I can shine too.'" Huey added, "Expressing emotions in Korean wasn't easy, but I worked hard to convey the message I wanted."

The essence of 'NEXZ' continues off-stage. The members recently took a 3-night, 4-day trip to Jeju Island together for the first time since debut, and they produced content from this experience. They shared, "We filmed and edited it ourselves to show our fans, and the positive response was gratifying." Through self-produced content like 'NEXZ Archive', they consistently expand their connection with fans.

Various experiences have also fueled their growth. So Gun mentioned, "Performing alongside various artists at year-end stages was a significant motivation," while Huey noted, "Winning rookie awards has been a source of motivation, and I feel more relaxed than at the start of our debut."

The goal for this activity is clear. Seita expressed, "We want to receive more love and attention, and we definitely want to achieve first place on music shows." Huey humorously added a promise, "If we win, I want to perform live holding a microphone with chopsticks, in line with the lyrics 'Chopstick으로 집어먹는 Crackers'."

As the first boy group to debut from JYP in about six years since Stray Kids, there is a sense of responsibility. Seita stated, "We strive to follow the path paved by our seniors while showcasing NEXZ's unique color." Yuki mentioned a challenge with I.N, saying, "The warm support we received was a great encouragement."

Their multinational composition is also a strength. Tomoya shared, "Meeting fans from various cities and experiencing different cultures is an advantage," and expressed being deeply moved by the many fans at overseas performances.

The album includes three tracks: the title track 'Mmchk', 'HYPEMAN', and 'Mmchk (English Version)', all of which bear the members' creative touch, proving their potential as a 'next-generation self-producing group'.

Meanwhile, NEXZ's second single 'Mmchk' is available for streaming on various online music platforms from 6 PM on the 27th.

Yoon Ye-jin, Ten Asia Reporter cristyyoun@tenasia.co.kr