[Interview] JYP's Nexzi: "We Want to Be the Top Performers of the Fifth Generation with Music You Watch"

(From top left clockwise) Nexzi Sogeon, Tomoya, Yuu, Seita, Yuki, Huey, Haru. Provided by JYP Entertainment

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Performance is the language of Nexzi. JYP Entertainment's boy group Nexzi has made a comeback after six months with their third mini-album, "Beat-Boxer," once again putting their identity as a "team that proves its existence through dance" at the forefront. During an interview with the members in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 23rd, they said, "This comeback was prepared to dominate the stage," and added, "We want to earn the title of top performers of the fifth generation."

This album, released about half a year after their second mini-album "O-RLY?" in April, emphasizes rhythm and a combative mood, especially in the title track. Huey recalled, "When I first heard 'Beat-Boxer,' it felt like entering a dance battle." The members created the choreography themselves for the midsection of the song, incorporating elements of b-boying, locking, popping, and house dance. Sogeon explained, "We designed the choreography ourselves, drawing on the various dance moves each of us has practiced."

Tomoya described this album as "music to watch, not just to listen to." Since every member of the team has grown up with different genres such as locking, house, hip-hop, popping, and breakdancing, he emphasized, "Every move contains the team's identity." He continued, "Artists under JYP are known for their strong live performances even while dancing. We are confident in both our rapping and vocals, and we hope you will focus on our live performances during this promotion."

Nexzi has been different from typical K-pop boy groups since their formation. The team was completed through the K-pop system after being selected via the Japanese audition program "Nizi Project Season 2." Most of the members were born in Japan.

The Japanese members all agreed that they grew up admiring K-pop. Huey said, "Before becoming a trainee, I didn't know any Korean, but even without understanding the lyrics, I was moved watching performances by Twice and Stray Kids." Yuu added, "I felt that K-pop stages have the power to make people happy, and we want to become artists like that as well."

They also expressed a desire to give back the emotions they felt when they first dreamed of K-pop. Sogeon said, "The first time I saw a KCON stage in high school, I was struck by how all eyes were on the performers dancing on stage-it was incredibly cool. I wanted to continue the path paved by our seniors." He added, "Now, every time we are called a 'performance powerhouse,' it motivates us to show even stronger performances in our next comeback."

(From left) Nexzi Sogeon, Seita, Yuu, Huey, Yuki, Tomoya. Provided by JYP Entertainment

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Since their debut, Nexzi has been active on both Korean and Japanese stages simultaneously. After performing at Japan's Budokan, they are now preparing for a solo concert at Korea's Olympic Hall. Seita said, "I once went to Olympic Hall to watch Producer Park Jinyoung's year-end concert, and it still feels unreal that we will be performing in the same venue." He continued, "Watching Stray Kids' stadium concert last week, with fireworks exploding on stage, made me even more determined to perform at that scale someday."

Producer Park Jinyoung's advice has become a guiding principle for the team. The members recently had a meal at his house and talked together. Tomoya said, "After seeing our TV performance, he told us, 'Nexzi is always a hardworking team.' He advised us that if we care for our members, company staff, and fans, we will become a team that is loved for a long time."

They have also set a goal of winning first place on a music show. Huey said, "We unfortunately didn't win first place during our last promotion. This time, I really want to achieve that." Tomoya added, "I hope many people will call us the 'top performers of the fifth generation.' We want to show that we are a group capable of stable rap, vocals, and dance on stage."

At the end of the interview, the members said, "This promotion will be a stage that begins and ends with performance," and added, "It is the first step toward making our goal of performing at a stadium-sized concert a reality."

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