The group NEXZ has made a significant achievement by entering the Tokyo Budokan, a symbolic stage in the Japanese pop music scene, just one year after their debut, proving their status as a global rookie. As described by the term 'next-generation performance specialty', their actions have been bold and solid.
NEXZ released their second EP album, 'One Bite', in Japan on the 16th, marking the beginning of their full-scale local activities. This new release features a total of six songs, including the title track 'One Bite', which captures a journey to break the mold and find one's true self, showcasing both musical diversity and the team's unique color.
Prior to the album release, NEXZ made their first appearance on Japan's representative music program TV Asahi's 'Music Station', presenting a performance of 'Simmer (Japanese Ver.)' and leaving a strong impression with their restrained charisma and sophisticated performance. They not only received positive reviews from their fandom but also from local viewers, with comments noting that "the stage quality is high despite it being their first appearance" and became a trending topic, ranking second in real-time trends.
NEXZ, who made their global debut with the first single 'Ride the Vibe' in May of last year, has been building their own musical world by crossing various styles such as hip-hop, electronica, and pop dance based on the 'Easy-Experimental' genre. In particular, all members possess strong performance skills and unique vocal tones, allowing them to be recognized for both musicality and teamwork.
The musical potential of NEXZ has also been proven by the achievements they have made just one year after their debut. Their second mini album 'O-RLY?', released in April, not only topped the major album charts in Korea but also ranked first in the real-time music chart, saw more than double the initial sales, and was nominated for first place in music broadcasts, showcasing NEXZ's rapid growth curve. They were included in Grammy.com's list of '8 K-Pop rookies to watch in 2025', gaining recognition for their potential in the global market.
Furthermore, the 'NEXZ LIVE TOUR 2025 "One Bite"', which started on June 4, is currently being held in 18 shows across 15 cities in Japan, receiving explosive reactions as tickets have sold out. Notably, they held two solo performances at the Tokyo Budokan, referred to as 'the holy ground of concerts in Japan', on the 18th and 19th, achieving an extraordinary record for a rookie.
Like their group name 'Next Z(G)eneration' suggests, NEXZ is steadily turning their vision of becoming a leading K-Pop act for the next generation into reality. With each member's musical involvement, constant communication with fans, and high-energy performances on stage, they are establishing themselves not just as newcomers but as 'growth-oriented artists' that the current era is paying attention to.
[Photo] JYP Entertainment
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