N.MIXX, 'Back,' Says: "A Full and Precious Moment — We Hope Our Emotions Reach You" [Q&A]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Girl group NMIXX will release their sixth mini-album, "Strange Muse," and the title track, "Gin Sowon (Birthday Wish)."

The album includes a total of six tracks, including the title song "Gin Sowon (Birthday Wish)," "Kerosene," "RudE TaLK," "Neoneun Dal (Sing to the Moon) (LILY, HAEWON)," "Hot 'n Unbothered (SULLYOON, BAE)," and "Hweok (WHIP) (JIWOO, KYUJIN)."

“Gin Sowon (Birthday Wish)” is a pop track that blends Mumbaton, Afrobeats, and Future House elements. The song features a distinctive structure, including an emotionally swelling soundscape, a calm break where only the piano and vocals remain, and a bridge that builds in intensity alongside narration. The lyrics romantically depict the scene of two people who have finally met, each pouring their whole heart into making a wish for the other.

The member unit songs being unveiled for the first time also draw attention. The ballad pop "You Are the Moon (Sing to the Moon) (LILY, HAEWON)," featuring the sweet vocals of Lily and Haewon; "Hot 'n Unbothered (SULLYOON, BAE)" by Sullyoon and Bae, which evokes a Latin groove based on dembow rhythms; and "WHIP (JIWOO, KYUJIN)" by Jiwu and Kyujin, with its fast-paced rap and addictive pop melody that feels like a mashup, each convey a unique charm.

In particular, the members each participated in writing lyrics for their unit songs, adding authenticity to the project. Gyu-jin took on her first attempt at songwriting in addition to lyric writing, while Bae-ih not only contributed to the lyrics of her unit song but also earned a writing credit on Track 3, "RudE TaLK," showcasing her musical capabilities.

NMIXX, who delivered a new October carol with "Blue Valentine" last year, is once again releasing "긴 소원 (Birthday Wish)" this fall, aiming to carry forward the consecutive hit momentum of "Blue Valentine" and "Heavy Serenade." In MIXXTOPIA, a place where members serve as each other's muses, they continuously blow out candles and make wishes for the new muse that is infinitely born.

Q1. This is your comeback after about five months since the fifth mini-album "Heavy Serenade." Please share your thoughts on this, and tell us what kind of story this album contains.

About five months after "Heavy Serenade," I am thrilled to meet NSWER (the fandom name: Ensser) again with new music and stages, and to happily carry out activities together. This album, "Strange Muse," tells the story of everyone shining in diverse ways within a vibrant utopia where each person becomes the other's "Muse." Here, a "Birthday Party" for a new muse unfolds every day. The title track, "긴 소원 (Birthday Wish)," is a song about constantly blowing out candles and making long wishes for one another, who are the protagonists of the party.

Q2. The combination of “Strange,” which means “strangeness” or “unfamiliarity,” and “Muse,” which serves as a source of inspiration, feels fresh. We are curious whether there is any special meaning behind the album title.

I believe that if something inspires me, even if others do not understand it, that existence is my muse. Mixtopia is a place where diverse people come together to freely express their unique colors, and where truly different individuals meet to become each other's inspiration. I am depicting the stories of Mixtopia, which is filled with muses who inspire me, even if they may appear a bit strange or peculiar. That is how the album title 'Strange Muse' was born. 'Strange Muse' will be an album that reveals what we are to one another and shows that 'difference' can help create the world we desire.

Q3. I would like to know your reaction when you first heard the title track "긴 소원 (Birthday Wish)." Please share what aspects you paid particular attention to during the recording process, and any points you hope listeners will pay attention to.

▶ Lily: When I first heard it, I thought it was both hopeful and unique. There were sections where the rhythm particularly appealed to me, as well as parts where I found the melody beautiful. In particular, the chorus and the narration interspersed throughout the song were moving. During the recording process, because there were many high notes, I paid a lot of attention to properly controlling my vocalization. It was also my first time rapping on a title track, so I remember practicing a great deal.

▶ Seol Yoon = The chorus has a relatively high pitch, so I put a lot of effort into it, including experimenting with changing the position from which I produce my voice to something different from usual, in hopes that listeners would find it a bit more pleasant to hear.

▶ Haewon = I hope that after listening to the narration in the intro, you will become completely immersed in "Gin So-won (Birthday Wish)." I hope that the overwhelming and precious emotions of that moment when they came face to face with each other also reach you.

Q4. This is the first time since your debut that you are releasing a unit song. Each of you participated in writing the lyrics for your respective unit songs, so we would like to know about the creative process behind them. In particular, Kyo-jin participated in composing for the first time. How was the experience of taking on this new challenge of composition?

▶ BAE: I’m grateful to have been able to participate in the lyrics for the third track, “RudE TaLK,” and our first unit song with SULLYOON, “Hot ‘n Unbothered (SULLYOON, BAE).” Through meetings with the lyricist, as well as sharing opinions and listening to feedback, I feel like I was able to learn a lot. For the unit song’s lyrics, I had many conversations with SULLYOON about the lyrical direction. I remember that even when we were apart, we would talk on the phone to share our thoughts and work toward completing it together.

▶ Gyu-jin = I had always wanted to try my hand at lyric writing and songwriting someday, but the initial step was always difficult. This time, I am grateful to have been able to participate in both lyric writing and songwriting for this album, which made me truly happy. It was not easy to work in line with the direction of the songs, but I would like to consider the mere participation as meaningful. Although I still have much room for improvement, I will continue to show you my growth.

Q5. The new album is expected to continue the successful momentum of “Blue Valentine” and “Heavy Serenade.” Did the strong performance of previous albums create any pressure while preparing this new work? We would like to hear about your mindset during the preparation process for this album.

Lily: As many people have been looking forward to it, we worked hard in preparation to live up to those expectations. While it did put a bit of pressure on us, the excitement of being able to showcase new songs was by far the greatest feeling.

Hae-won: I have always wanted to carry the title “the one who creates anticipation,” and it feels like a descriptor that brings joy no matter when you hear it. Like the title of our lead single, we prepared with both happiness and earnestness, as if making a wish.

▶ Jiwoo: I think of it as a healthy sense of pressure. There are NSWERs who have been waiting for us, and there are people who always support us by our side, which fuels my desire to do well and serves as the driving force behind working even harder. Because I have always given my best, I approached this project with the mindset that I simply need to do what I have always done.

Q6. You recently won the Grand Prize at a music awards ceremony. If there are any thoughts you did not get to fully express at the time, please share them with us. Also, what does winning the Grand Prize mean for NMIXX’s musical journey?

▶ Seol-yoon: I believe it is thanks to the support and love from so many people. Having received such a prestigious award, I want to work even harder to repay everyone with good songs and performances. Our journey as NMIXX has sometimes been confusing and difficult, but winning this top award will serve as a driving force that allows us to trust ourselves more and move forward.

▶ Baei = NSWER, the members, and everyone who has supported us — thanks to all of you, we were able to receive this meaningful award. Thank you once again! Looking back, today is made up of countless precious days that we will never forget. We would like to view this Grand Prize not as proof that we have arrived somewhere, but as a form of encouragement telling us that it is okay to go even further. From now on, just as we have been doing until now, we will continue to walk slowly along NMIXX’s path together.

Q7. I am curious about NMIXX's "long wish," whether it has already come true or is still a dream. Like the lyrics "I will make a long wish for you," if you were to make a wish for someone precious, who would you make it for, and what kind of wish would you like to make?

I would like to make a wish for those who bring us happiness: ourselves, the NSWERs, and our families. In particular, I hope for the health and happiness of the NSWERs. If the NSWERs are happy, we are happy too. When we look back on the time we spent with NMIXX in the distant future, I hope it will remain as a precious and happy memory. Also, since NMIXX has done well so far, I wish that they will have even more wonderful days ahead and become an artist that the NSWERs can be proud of forever!

Q8. With your October comeback approaching, we would like to know about your determination and goals for activities in Daejeon. Please also share a word with the NSWERs who always shine as NMIXX's radiant muses.

Our goal is to remain healthy and happy while actively engaging with our fans. We hope that '긴 소원 (Birthday Wish)' will be loved by even more people. NSWER! We have returned with a new album. Thanks to the support and love you have always shown us, we were able to prepare well for this comeback as well. With that strength, we will become an even more grown, wonderful, and proud NMIXX for all of you. Please continue to watch our activities closely. We love you!

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original