Hailing from diverse corners of the globe — Japan, Indonesia, the United States, and South Korea — SECRET NUMBER is a dynamic six-member girl group that operates under the aegis of Vine Entertainment. Comprising of Minji, Dita, Zuu, Soodam, Jinny, and Léa, each member brings a unique flair to the group's signature style. Intriguingly, the group's name, SECRET NUMBER, draws inspiration from the exclusive digits we often utilize for sensitive passwords and PIN codes. This represents the intimate and unique bond they aspire to forge with their fans. They officially stepped into the limelight on May 19, 2020, making a splash with their debut single album, 'Who Dis?'

'DOXA' is the group's latest release, and it marks their sixth single album which features the title song of the same name. "독사 (DOXA)" describes an endless cycle of a toxic relationship, where despite breakups, someone continues to long for romance even though they know it will end up hurting them. The album also features the B-side track "Beautiful One." This song is released to commemorate their third anniversary, a heartfelt ode to their beloved fans, LOCKEY. Each member comes together to showcase their beautiful vocals and feelings of appreciation.

Along with this exciting new release, the group sat down with allkpop to give fans an insight into their latest concept and the meaning behind their latest release, 'DOXA.' During the exclusive interview, they also shared how they unwind and spend their free time. Keep reading to know more about SECRET NUMBER! 

SECRET Number shout-out video to allkpop readers:

allkpop: First of all, congratulations on the launch of your new album! It's been just over a month since you released your Japanese EP 'LIKE IT LIKE IT.' Now, you're back with another piece of music! How does it feel to be back again and greet everyone with new music?

Minji: We just had our Japanese debut with 'LIKE IT LIKE IT,' and we are very thankful for our Japanese fans to be given that opportunity. I just want to say thank you to all the fans who have waited for our Japanese debut and our Korean comeback as well. Now, we're back with 'DOXA'! I hope you look forward to it and give 'DOXA' a lot of love and support~

allkpop: Since it comes out just in time for your group's anniversary, this album is perhaps something special for you. Please tell us more about the tracks and the message you wish to deliver through them.

Jinny: What's special about our album 'DOXA' is that we're mainly talking merely about love. In 'DOXA,' we're talking about a poisonous relationship that is like a toxic love. In contrast to our title track, our B-side is called "Beautiful One." There, we want to deliver our love to our fans, LOCKEY. We wanted to tell our listeners that we want to deliver love which is in the form of...

Dita: Songs!

Jinny: And we wanted to let the listeners know that they're not alone if they're in such a toxic relationship. We want them to relate to our song. 

allkpop: How did the preparations for this single album go? How did the process differ from your previous releases?

Dita: For me, because this is also our first time making a fan song, I think it really is a meaningful outcome for us and for our fans, too. Preparing for it is also different. As some people may know, SECRET NUMBER always comes in different concepts. This time also, it's different, again. The title track "DOXA" has a darker concept than what we always have done before. Preparing for the album is fun for me because I get to kind of explore like, "How can I be a character, like a darker character for this concept?" Yeah, it was fun!

allkpop: Could you tell us how you prepared and practiced for the dance choreography, as well as your experience recording the two tracks? Were there any challenging moments during the entire preparation process?

Léa: Actually for the choreography, we had multiple changes up until we filmed the music video. We just wanted to make sure we find the right choreography to really show our own color, to really portray the message of the songs through the choreography.

Minji: For me, one of the things that I had to focus a lot on while recording "DOXA" was that I have this part where I have to make the highest note I've ever made while singing our song — and that lasts for a while, so I needed to make sure that I do this adlib towards the end of the song, that is like the final highlight of the song. And I needed to make sure, "How can I make it really grand?" to finalize the song in a really awesome and impressive way. That was my main focus while recording "DOXA."

allkpop: I've seen the MV teasers, and the MV production is so cool! Are there any fun or interesting behind-the-scenes moments you would like to share with your fans?

Dita: It was like 2 or 3 AM when we shot the music video for the fireworks scene, and it was so cold. The fireworks... if it hits your skin, it kind of stings. It was so cold and we just wanted to do it in one take, so we're just dancing, acting like it's so much fun, but every time the fireworks hit our skin, it stings. But we're all just, "Just dance! Just dance your heart out! Just dance!" I think we did a pretty good job!

allkpop: This single album consists of two new songs "DOXA" and "Beautiful One." Why do you think these two fit well together to be in this single album?

Jinny: As I explained earlier, we wanted to focus on the message of love this time around. Usually, in our previous albums, we have a cooler opposite B-sides and the title tracks. Since we chose that we were going to make a fan song this time for our third anniversary since debut, we thought that "Oh, since we're delivering such a lovely message through B-sides. How about we sing about a toxic, poisonous relationship in the title track?" We thought that it was a really perfect combination, so we were excited to release them in one album!

allkpop: As an idol, you must have very little free time, especially during comebacks. How do you usually relax and de-stress after a long day?

Zuu: After a long day, I just want to go home and play games to kind of unwind and relax a little bit more. And if I have a really busy day, I just don't want to even play games, then I would be knitting and doing crochet.

Dita: Usually, I either watch Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+. That's it! (laughs)

Jinny: Minji and I also like playing games!

Léa: There's a Korean sauna or spa that I visit very much like once a week. I just relax there after all my schedules. When I go there, I feel like everything will just melt away.

allkpop: SECRET NUMBER just celebrated its 3rd anniversary a few days ago! Congratulations on the new group milestone again! What has been the highlight of your career as part of SECRET NUMBER so far?

Zuu: Thanks to our fans, LOCKEY, I remember going to the KCON for the first time, and it was just such an incredible moment and a great honor. We had a lot of fun and we learned a lot from that experience, so I would say that's the most memorable highlight of our career.

allkpop: Since you have been together for more than 3 years, we are aware that you have helped each other develop in a variety of ways, including in terms of each member's skills. Each member of the band has their own strength. How do you two typically work together and support one another in these many areas?

Jinny: I think language is a very important thing to us. We are always exchanging languages! We're always helping each other out!

allkpop: SECRET NUMBER has already been on a number of music stages and festivals. How does it feel to be able to stand on stage in front of such a huge crowd? Do you perform any rituals or pre-show preparations?

Minji: Being on the big stage, standing on it, and hearing our song coming through the speakers for our performance, it always seems so real but surreal and incredible. The fact that our fans are singing along to our songs, them cheering, and giving a big shout-out to us whenever they see us performing... Everything, every moment feels incredible for us. And for me, something I do before any performance is drinking cup noodles soup. Because I feel like drinking that soup makes me sing better on stage. As much as I can, I try to drink some soup before I go on the stage.

allkpop: Is there anyone in the industry you most admire and look up to?

Zuu: I really admire Taemin from SHINee. He's my role model!

allkpop: What's next for SECRET NUMBER? Any plans on releasing a Korean-language EP or perhaps a full-length album?

Jinny: We're constantly persuading our company for a full-length album, so we're looking forward to that as well! If we were given a chance, we will, someday! Full-length album... I hope that would be very soon!

Dita: I hope that we will also have a song that's written by Minji and Jinny. It would be awesome because they write very good songs!

allkpop: Please leave a short message to everyone reading this article!

Dita: I hope you guys reading this can know about SECRET NUMBER more! Please show your love and support to SECRET NUMBER~.

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[Photos credit: Vine Entertainment]