SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) — Rookie boy group NEXZ is back with its second single “Mmchk,” underscoring JYP Entertainment’s evolving strategy to globalize the K-pop model through multinational lineups.
The seven-member group held a showcase in Seoul on Sunday to mark the release of the single album at Blue Square Woori Bank Hall in Yongsan District.
Formed through “Nizi Project Season 2,” a joint audition program between JYP and Sony Music Japan, NEXZ embodies a growing industry trend: exporting Korea’s idol training system while localizing talent.
The group consists of six Japanese members—Tomoya, Yu, Haru, Hyui, Yuki and Seita—and one Korean member, So Geon. The survival-style program evaluated roughly 20 contestants on vocals, dance, stage presence and character, with only those meeting all criteria advancing.
Unlike NiziU, which debuted primarily in Japan, NEXZ first launched in South Korea before expanding outward—signaling a more integrated, reverse-entry approach to global markets.
The members underwent training periods ranging from two to over four years. Tomoya and Hyui joined JYP as early as 2019, while others entered through the structured audition pipeline.
NEXZ debuted in May 2024 with “Ride the Vibe” and returns about six months after its previous release, the mini album “Beatboxer” in October 2025. The group has since gained early traction, winning Best New Artist at ASEA 2025 and being named among the “Best 5 New Artists” at the Japan Gold Disc Awards.
The title track “Mmchk,” a bass-house dance number, features lyrical contributions from members Yuki, Hyui and Tomoya—part of an effort to shape the group’s own musical identity.
“We can’t believe it’s already been two years since our debut—it still feels like yesterday,” Yu said during the showcase. “With the experience we’ve gained, we hope to reach more people through this comeback.”
“It’s our first release in about six months, and we know fans have been waiting,” he added. “We’ll do our best to show growth both musically and on stage.”
Reflecting on the group’s evolution, Tomoya said, “I remember how nervous I was before our debut. Now we’ve gained confidence and a clearer identity as NEXZ.”
Members who participated in writing the lyrics said the track conveys a message of mutual inspiration. “We wanted to express that ‘because you shine, we can shine too,’” they said, noting the challenge of writing in Korean.
On performance, the group emphasized flexibility over categorization. “Rather than defining ourselves within a specific genre, we want to present our own style and deliver performances that audiences keep coming back for.”
Addressing the coined term “Mmchk,” So Geon described it as a symbolic keyword representing the group’s desire for recognition. “We hope it becomes something people naturally associate with NEXZ,” he said.
Despite a crowded comeback season, the group struck an optimistic tone. “There is some pressure, but more than that, we feel excited,” he added. “It’s an opportunity to show everything we’ve prepared.”
Seita said the group aims to earn its first music show win, while Hyui added that a special performance is planned if that goal is achieved.
NEXZ will continue its global push with a showcase tour starting in Taipei next month, followed by Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The single “Mmchk” will be released on major music platforms at 6 p.m. Monday, marking the start of full promotional activities.
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