[Official] NiziU "WithU, we love you always" – Q&A in Japanese and English to commemorate the release of their first Korean mini-album 'Sour Grapes'

*This content was translated by AI.

JYP Entertainment's NiziU released their first Korean mini-album, 'Sour Grapes', on the 28th and will begin activities in Korea.

NiziU officially debuted in Korea after releasing their first single album, 'Press Play', in October 2023. Just nine days after debut, they achieved a number-one spot on music shows and ranked seventh among all K-pop girl group debut albums for initial sales at the time, successfully gaining popularity. Their second single, 'LOVE LINE', released in March 2025, also garnered significant attention.

On the 28th, approximately one year and six months after their second single, they released their first mini-album in Korea. The mini-album includes five musical fairy tales titled 'Sour Grapes', 'Petal's Song', 'emoji', 'Into The Dawn' (새벽을 달려), and 'Lullaby', each expressing familiar themes and emotions through NiziU's unique perspective. JYP Entertainment stated that the title track 'Sour Grapes' offers a fresh reinterpretation of Aesop's fable 'The Fox and the Grapes', capturing the group's bold spirit of diving headfirst into choices others might hesitate to make.

This year, NiziU topped Oricon's weekly album chart and total weekly album chart with their second Japanese EP, 'GOOD GIRL BUT NOT FOR YOU', and received a Gold Disc certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan for their first local best-of album, 'Portfolio'. They also proved their presence and popularity through two major tours: the five-region, 12-date solo arena tour 'NiziU Live with U 2026 "NEW EvoNUtion"' and their second dome tour, 'NiziU Live with U 2026 "NiziU : THE CINEMA"'.

- It has been one year and six months since your second single album 'LOVE LINE' in March 2025, and news of your comeback in Korea has generated great anticipation from many fans. How did you feel during the preparation process? What were your thoughts on this comeback?

▶Mako

We sincerely thank our fans for waiting patiently for over a year and six months for this Korean comeback. We also felt eager to meet you all again as soon as possible. Every time we return to Korea, we create unforgettable memories. Through this activity, we hope to try many new things that we haven't yet shared with WithU (our fandom name). We want to cherish every second and spend a fulfilling and happy period of activities in Korea together with our members and WithU.

▶Maya

This comeback, which we have been waiting for so long, makes us incredibly excited and happy! Activities in Korea always offer new experiences and allow us to communicate closely with fans, creating wonderful memories. We prepared diligently while looking forward to presenting a great stage this time as well. We made many new attempts to show more diverse charms of NiziU to our fans who waited for us, and we thought deeply about how to make WithU happy. We hope you will love it very much!

▶Riku

We were very happy to have the opportunity to meet WithU again, who support us in Korea. We prepared with great anticipation thinking we could greet fans through various content, including music shows. We are truly excited and thrilled to make our Korean comeback with the sweet-and-sour song 'Sour Grapes'.

- Your new work 'Sour Grapes' is your first mini-album in Korea. We assume you put in a lot of effort. Could you share any behind-the-scenes stories about the creation process, including introducing the new album and title track, that you'd like to tell our fans?

▶Ayaka

The choreography for the title track 'Sour Grapes' is a style NiziU has never tried before. During our first practice, we experienced muscle pain all over our bodies. We remember working hard to perfect it because every member was dedicated to raising its quality. There are many key points embedded throughout the choreography, so please look at them carefully!

▶Mayuka

During the jacket photoshoot, we received direction to look at the camera with intense eyes, and it was very enjoyable to show a new visual. The music video was also filmed in Taipei, offering us a chance to challenge ourselves with a different look, so it remains memorable. Please listen to and love 'Sour Grapes', which introduces a new NiziU!

▶Rima

We are making our comeback with our first mini-album in Korea. We have included diverse tracks with a different feel from before, along with a title track in a new style. We hope our fans will enjoy them. The choreography also has strong impact; we focused especially on expressing movements large and powerfully during practice. Please give us your attention and love for the title track stage and NiziU's first mini-album.

- The title track 'Sour Grapes' is a song that offers a fresh reinterpretation of Aesop's fable 'The Fox and the Grapes'. Like the lyrics suggest, if there is a moment when NiziU members made a bold challenge or something they would like to challenge, please share it.

▶Miihi

Recently, I tried mango for the first time! I had my first taste of it while filming the music video in Taipei, and it was really delicious. (laughs) After that, I even challenged menus like mango shaved ice. Small changes have brought new experiences to me.

▶Nina

Every year, we cook together with the members during Christmas. This year, I would like to try making ravioli for our Christmas party food. It would make me very happy to see the members enjoying it deliciously.

- We are also curious about NiziU's new song performance. If you could point out key viewing points or the killing part, what would they be?

▶Mako

In the chorus, there is a move where we express grapes with our hands; that part is the core point. Also, the lyrics "Sour Grapes" appear repeatedly throughout the song, and the melody that stays in your mind after just one listen is also very charming. Please watch and listen to it a lot!

▶Maya

This choreography combines intensity with many detailed points. Especially in the chorus, which is a style we are trying for the first time, we expected it to be a part that fans will remember well while dancing ourselves. Among them, the move where we pretend to eat grapes with our hands might be the killing point of this song.

- In 2026, you achieved meaningful results on various local charts in Japan with your second EP 'GOOD GIRL BUT NOT FOR YOU' and first best-of album 'Portfolio', and successfully concluded your solo arena tour 'NiziU Live with U 2026 "NEW EvoNUtion"' and dome tour 'NiziU : THE CINEMA'. You plan to move your stage to Korea together with the new album 'Sour Grapes' to fill up the entire year. If you were to express NiziU's current activities and this whole year in one keyword, what would it be?

▶Riku

It is 'challenge'. During the dome tour, we directly composed the setlist with the members, and for this Korean comeback, we will greet fans with a bold concept different from before. Since we are showing charms different from the cute atmosphere presented in past activities, we believe this year has been a continuous series of new challenges for NiziU.

▶Ayaka

I would also like to express it as 'challenge'. It was a year filled with diverse and new attempts, including songs with new concepts, tours, and even the dome tour setlist we composed together with the members for the first time. Since this comeback was also prepared with a new concept, I think we can describe it as 'a year where NiziU challenged many things'.

- Finally, please share one last message to WithU, who always send us fairy-tale-like love.

▶Mako

WithU~ Thank you for always supporting and watching over us from the closest side. Every moment we have spent with WithU is our most precious treasure. Let's create many happy times together in the future, everyone!

▶Maya

Our beloved WithU~♡ The time when we can finally meet is approaching, and I am so, so excited. Thank you for always supporting us and sending so much love. Since this mini-album was prepared diligently while thinking of WithU, we hope you will love it very much. Let's meet soon!

▶Riku

WithU, who always give us great strength and support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts first. We hope you enjoy seeing the new side of NiziU presented during the 'Sour Grapes' activities. We will continue to work hard so that WithU can be happy in the future. We love you!

▶Ayaka

Thank you sincerely for waiting so long for this comeback. It makes us very happy to meet again after such a long time. We hope this activity period will bring even greater happiness to WithU with a new look different from past activities. We are always grateful and love you very much.

▶Mayuka

WithU~ Finally, NiziU is making a comeback after one and a half years. Thank you for waiting for such a long time. Through this album, we think we will be able to show many new charms of NiziU. Let's create many happy memories together during the activity period♡

▶Riku

Thank you sincerely for always supporting us. We gain great strength whenever we think of WithU. Since this album was also prepared with care while thinking of WithU, we would be grateful if you watch over it with love. We love you!

▶Miihi

Our beloved WithU who always support us♡ Thank you so much for waiting for such a long time. We hope this activity will also be an exciting and enjoyable time. We are already looking forward to it with great excitement. As always, thank you, and we ask for your continued support in the future.

▶Nina

Our WithU, it has been too long. Since you waited so much, we have prepared diligently to repay you with great performances and songs, so please look forward to them. We love you always, WithU!

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*This content was translated by AI.