One year after making their ambitious debut, the seven-member boy band NEXZ has transformed from promising rookies into one of the most dynamic new forces connecting the K-pop and J-pop music scenes. The group, consisting of members Tomoya, Yu, Haru, So Geon, Seita, Hyui, and Yuki, was formed through a partnership between JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Over the past year, they have been performing across both South Korea and Japan, building a substantial fanbase with their bilingual appeal and energetic stage performances.
Now, NEXZ is making their return to Korea with their new mini-album titled "Beat-Boxer," which is scheduled for release on Monday evening. The group brings with them a year's worth of artistic growth and a clearer artistic vision. "It's been six months since our last work," said member Hyui during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul's Seongdong District on Thursday. "We worked really hard to show a cooler and more mature side."
The five-track release represents another significant step in NEXZ's creative development. Members Tomoya, Yu, and Haru actively participated in choreographing both the title track and the pre-release single "I'm Him," continuing their hands-on creative approach from their previous album. "This time, I took part not only in choreography but also in songwriting and lyric writing," Tomoya explained. "Before, we used to receive demo tracks and work hard to express them, but now we tried to produce a track from scratch. It feels like this album finally represents our true color."
The title track "Beat-Boxer" perfectly captures the group's powerful energy and stage presence. "'Beat-Boxer' is about having the confidence to literally break the beat on stage," So Geon explained. "People often see us as a 'performance powerhouse,' and this song really fits that description." Tomoya added, "It's powerful and full of energy that we can only express at our age. From start to finish, the excitement never drops. But the album also shows the bright, refreshing side that our fans love. Being able to do both is one of our biggest strengths."
The group frequently looks to their JYP Entertainment labelmates Stray Kids for inspiration, particularly admiring their self-producing approach to music. "They're really amazing and treat us warmly," said So Geon. "They've told us our dancing is great, which meant a lot during preparations." Yu reflected on the responsibility of carrying forward the JYP legacy, saying, "Of course, there's some pressure, but it's more excitement than burden. It's an honor to rise to the expectations our seniors set. Just like Stray Kids has its own musical identity, we want to define ours and be loved for it."
While NEXZ identifies as a K-pop group, their multicultural composition adds a unique dimension to their identity. Six of the seven members are Japanese, while So Geon, though born and raised in Japan, is a Korean national. This dual cultural background, which was initially challenging, has now become an integral part of who they are as artists. "When I auditioned, Producer Park Jin-young noticed my nationality and asked me to introduce myself in Korean," So Geon recalled. "At that time, I barely managed to properly pronounce my name in Korea and there was a long silence. I felt embarrassed that I couldn't speak my own language, so I started studying and talking to my parents in Korean. Now I try to speak with the staff and members as much as I can."
For the Japanese members, adapting to life in Korea has been a natural process that has strengthened their connection to both cultures. "I've lived here for about six years now," said Hyui. "I realized I'd become fluent when I reacted naturally in Korean during conversations with the members. There were moments when I thought to myself, 'Wow, I've really adapted.'" Seita shared his personal experience with Korean culture, saying, "I used to imagine and fantasize what Korean food would be like before I came here, and it's even better than I expected. I can't eat spicy food well yet, but I'm getting used to it. Lately, I've been loving budae-jjigae, a Korean stew."
According to the seven members, balancing both the Korean and Japanese music markets has given NEXZ a distinctive advantage in the industry. "Each scene, K-pop and J-pop, has its own charms," said Hyui. "Our goal is to perform wherever we can show our skills. When we're on stage communicating with fans, we're not thinking about nationality, it's all just about delivering a good performance." This cross-cultural approach has allowed them to connect with diverse audiences and build a truly international fanbase.
The group recently held their first Korean solo concert over the weekend at Olympic Hall in Seoul's Songpa District, marking a significant milestone in their career. "When I first came to Korea, I watched Park Jin-young's concert at Olympic Hall," said So Geon. "I thought the venue was beautiful, and now we get to perform there ourselves. It's surreal." The concert represents NEXZ's readiness to take the next major leap in their artistic journey.
As both the "Beat-Boxer" album release and their highly anticipated concert arrive back-to-back, NEXZ finds itself at a crucial point in their early career where performance excellence, creative growth, and cross-cultural appeal converge. "People say our performances are strong," said Hyui. "But I want them to see that we're strong in vocals and rap too. Still, hearing 'their performance is the best' – that's what I want most." With their expanded creative involvement and deepened cultural understanding, NEXZ is positioned to make an even stronger impact on both the K-pop and J-pop scenes in the coming year.
