The members of the group NEXZ spoke about advice they received, mentioning singer Park Jin-Young and Stray Kids' Seungmin as role models.
Recently, NEXZ met with OSEN at a cafe located in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong District, Seoul, ahead of the release of their mini-album 3rd EP "Beat-Boxer" and its title track of the same name, for an interview.
The new album "Beat-Boxer" is a new work released six months after the mini 2nd EP "O-RLY?", and it is an album armed with NEXZ's expanded musical spectrum, solid teamwork and confidence. The title track of the same name combines the English words "beat" and "boxer" to express the members' confidence that they will smash the beat on stage with overwhelming energy.
In particular, based on 2000s hip-hop and dance sounds, the minimal and unique track delivers a fresh and intense image that simultaneously evokes boxing and the dance floor. Tomoya, Yuu and Haru directly participated in creating the choreography for the new song, showcasing the group's potential as a "performance hotspot group" with movements that highlight the group's strengths and individuality.
Recently, NEXZ met viewers in the "Business Trip Fifteen Nights - JYP scout" episode alongside JYP representative producer Park Jin-Young and 2PM, DAY6, TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY, NMIXX, KickFlip and others. With JYP artists gathered in one place, many conversations must have taken place.
Sogeon said, "When we filmed 'Fifteen Nights' our teaser video had not been released yet. It was the first time we revealed the new song in front of seniors. So even while dancing we felt excited. We were proud to be able to make our first reveal in a special place, and we felt fulfilled because the production staff and senior artists reacted positively. It strengthened our desire to show it on music shows going forward."
Yuu said, "In the opening there was a scene where I performed like a talent show. I did a spinning move during my breaking dance; I was excited, but doing it in front of the seniors made me nervous and amazed. They all praised me, and after filming Stray Kids' Bang Chan hyung gave me a handshake, which made me very proud."
Yuu added, "We created a mission and went there, and because it was our first time filming with the seniors we wanted to become closer and take selfies. Tomoya and the members asked if they could take a selfie and then took it."
After the shoot, when asked if he heard anything from JYP PD Park Jin-Young, Tomoya shyly smiled and said, "During the 'Business Trip Fifteen Nights' filming I did a random play dance, and I did it a bit well.. so not only PD Park Jin-Young but the seniors came up to me and praised NEXZ for dancing well, which made me happy."
He continued, "The PD invited me to his home before and we ate together. While eating we talked about many things, and what I remember is first that NEXZ is doing well. He said he watched our music show videos and that we always work hard and do well, and that we should keep doing that. He also gave three pieces of good advice: that we should cherish the members, cherish the staff and cherish the fans. He said if we remember just those three things well, we will be loved, so we are thinking about that and working hard."
When asked what reaction they want from fans through this album, Hui said, "We once heard fans say in front of us, 'Wow, this is it, this is the one.' I hope they say that. Up to now fans have spoken well about our performances, and we created choreography with confidence this time, so I hope they say 'this is it' about this too."
When asked about role models among the members, Tomoya said, "My role model is PD Park Jin-Young. He is an artist I personally respect and like. At the 30th anniversary concert we did a duet stage. We performed the song 'Let's change myself' together on stage; it felt like a dream, it was amazing, and I still remember that moment. I was so happy dancing and singing together, and I got his autograph. He wrote 'first duet' there. Then I wondered if there would be a second, so I definitely want to perform together on stage next time."
Next, Seita said, "My role model is Stray Kids' Seungmin hyung. I didn't talk with Seungmin hyung much. I talked briefly once; I saw him in front of the company elevator and he always noticed us, and he told me he had watched our pre-release song and said it was really cool and nice."
Seita continued, "Actually, even before becoming an idol when I was in Japan I liked Stray Kids and Seungmin hyung. Having an actual conversation was an honor and moving, and I almost cried because of the praise. So when I received his contact information I felt a kind of emotion that can't be expressed in words," his eyes reddened, and he said, "Being able to talk with a senior I respect and receive support made me happy. He spoke to me somewhat casually, so I'm still very happy; it wasn't just 100% happiness but over 200% happiness."
Meanwhile, NEXZ held their first domestic solo concert 'NEXZ SPECIAL CONCERT' at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, from the 25th to the 26th ahead of their comeback
[Photo] Reporter Min Kyung-hoon
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