Capping off 2023 with a pre-release single “Soñar (Breaker)” and kicking off 2024 with the EP ‘Fe3O4: BREAK,’ 2023 saw NMIXX build on a successful momentum, which included their unforgettable showcase tour ‘NICE TO MIXX YOU,’ and 2024 looks to be just as promising as 2023, as they are primed for an even brighter year.
Though fresh-faced as a group, LILY, HAEWON, SULLYOON, BAE, JIWOO, and KYUJIN have blossomed quickly, exhibiting a seasoned maturity in their artistic abilities. And their recent album is another testament to their rapid growth and ever-evolving talents.
After having gone through the series ‘New Frontier’ and ‘Docking Station,’ NMIXX embarks on a new adventure in a more mature figure with their sophomore EP titled ‘Fe3O4: BREAK. This album showcases the band’s musical development while bringing their signature “MIXX Pop” genre to the table once more.
Diving into NMIXX’s lore and the core spaces of their worldview, their adventure in this specific album captures the pioneering spirit of the members. The girls, still in ‘FIELD,’ the real world, come to the realization that utopia is a place they have to build, and in order to gain entry to ‘MIXXTOPIA,’ NMIXX challenges the notions that divide “you” and them in ‘FIELD.’
The EP consists of 7 songs: the title track that combines old-school hip-hop and pop-funk “DASH,” the pre-release track “Soñar (Breaker)” that mixes Latin hip-hop and UK Garage genres, and the B-sides “Run For Roses,” “BOOM,” “Passionfruit,” “XOXO,” and “Break The Wall.” Each song brings out NMIXX’s dynamic vocal harmonies, coupled with bold raps and enthralling sing-alongs, which are sure to captivate the listeners.
In commemoration of NMIXX’s return, allkpop had the opportunity to, once again, speak with the members about ‘Fe3O4: BREAK,’ pieces of advice they got from their seniors, how they have grown as artists over the years, and what success means to them. Continue reading to learn more about the sextet!
allkpop: How would you sum up everything that has happened in 2023? What has brought you the greatest joy and gratitude in 2023?
BAE: I guess I worked hard and did well last year? I feel proud to have successfully completed everything I had been worried about, even though there are lingering regrets. I think the first fan concert was really fun because it was a concert exclusively for NSWERs!
KYUJIN: It was a year when we could show various features unique to NMIXX. The first fan concert was a great joy for me!
allkpop: You had 5 releases last year: “Young, Dumb, Stupid,” ‘expérgo,’ “Roller Coaster,” ‘A Midsummer NMIXX’s Dream,’ and the pre-release track “Soñar (Breaker).” Which project released in 2023 is your personal favorite?
SULLYOON: I like 'expérgo'! I have a special fondness for “PAXXWORD,” its B-side track, so I often listen to it.
JIWOO: “Love Me Like This,” the title song of ‘expérgo,’ was my favorite. So I remember having a lot of fun while working on it!
allkpop: “Fe3O4,” in the EP title ‘Fe3O4: BREAK,’ has something to do with science, with a chemical name of “Iron Oxide.” This is like a random, fun question. Since we’re talking about Science, how did you feel about studying the subject when you were a student? Did you enjoy Science or did you find it challenging?
LILY: I always enjoyed Science when it was in English, but when I was in school in Korea, the technical terms got harder and harder to understand, so that was quite sad. Ultimately, I’d say I’m more of a literature girly than a Science girly.
KYUJIN: I enjoyed conducting and experiencing science experiments! It was fascinating to me. Although it was challenging, it was a fun subject.
allkpop: What were the preparations like for this mini-album, including shooting the music video and recording the song? How does it differ from when you prepared for ‘expérgo’?
HAEWON: Actually, the preparation process for the album didn't seem much different. However, as we had repeated comeback several times, I can clearly feel that the members' learning time for the choreography has been significantly reduced and they have become more accustomed to the shooting site than before.
SULLYOON: I felt that recording this album was a bit different; the title song had a distinct feel compared to the previous ones, and there was my short rap part in a B-side track for the first time.
allkpop: Time flies so fast and you will already be celebrating your 2nd anniversary in February! What improvement since debut do you see from yourself? Has there ever been a point in your professional life when you thought, "Wow! Look how far I've come!"?
BAE: It's most thrilling to me when I receive compliments about my improvement or progress during lessons! Also, although everything felt fresh at the time of debut, it's amazing that we're a bit more accustomed to everything now!
JIWOO: Even after my debut, I've been trying to improve my dancing skills by taking individual choreography lessons. Through this, my goal of achieving something on my own has become more distinct and clear. I think the sense of accomplishment I gain as I get closer to my goals becomes a significant driving force in my activities! Perhaps, NSWERs will appreciate seeing me work hard while enjoying myself!
allkpop: Have you begun to realize how popular you are becoming? It’s been just almost 2 years since your debut but you’ve already had a successful ‘Nice To Mixx You’ tour with stops all around the world! What specific instance made you realize how well-known you already are?
LILY: I think the times where I’m most surprised is when I’m using a side of the internet that has nothing to do with NMIXX or K-pop and suddenly there’s a video of me, or when my sister (who doesn’t really follow NMIXX or K-pop that much) sends me a vid of NMIXX or myself that she said came up on her feed. That’s always a nice surprise.
HAEWON: Last Chuseok, I went on a trip to Osaka, Japan with my family, and “Young, Dumb, Stupid” was playing on the street. Moreover, many people recognized me and asked for pictures. So, my parents, who were next to me, were proud of me.
allkpop: Speaking of that, what does success actually mean to you? How would you define it personally?
LILY: For me, I would consider myself as successful if I’m happy with where I’m at in life. But at the same time, I think it’s a very human thing to want more and more even if you are happy. And so maybe success will never be completely in my grasp.
SULLYOON: I believe that if I feel happy, I've succeeded.
allkpop: NMIXX is known for its all-rounder members. How do you work toward perfection or strive for something you want to accomplish, or is there even such a thing as "perfection" in your world in the first place? What have you done recently to improve your musical abilities?
HAEWON: As I feel very stressed when I pursue perfection, I simply try to become happy, I suppose. While learning to play the guitar, I tried to become friends with composition. Recently, I've been putting effort into learning about music genres by watching YouTube videos that teach about different genres. The content wasn't easy to grasp. I don't prioritize perfection as the first value. "Let's just try not to have any regrets later." I believe that's the most essential.
allkpop: Do you have any words or pieces of advice that you have heard from maybe your colleagues, fans, or your seniors, that mean a lot to you?
JIWOO: ITZY's Yeji cheered me up by telling me to take care of my health while busy preparing for our activities!
KYUJIN: Producer J.Y. Park once said that the true path of an artist is to maintain a steady, long run rather than to sparkle briefly. And in order to achieve that, we have to be truthful, sincere, and humble. That's what I still remember.
allkpop: Since 2024 has recently arrived, do you have any traditions you do whenever a new year approaches? What is the first thing you do or perhaps a song you listen to on New Year's Day?
SULLYOON: I tend to value the first song I listen to in the New Year. Hoping for more laughter this year, I listened to YENA’s “SMILEY (Feat. BIBI).”
JIWOO: As the year-end approaches, I feel excited and fluttery for no reason. I'm happy that Christmas is coming, and I'm also excited thinking about what kind of goals I can start the new year with. Although it's not the first song I listened to in the new year, I'd like to strongly recommend DAY6 Wonpil’s “A Journey” to NSWERs!
Socials:
Website: NMIXX
YouTube: @NMIXXOfficial
Instagram: @nmixx_official
Twitter: @NMIXX_official
TikTok: @nmixx_official
FaceBook: @NMIXXOfficial
Weibo: @NMIXXOfficial
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"I would consider myself as successful if I’m happy with where I’m at in life." LILY