K-pop girl group NMIXX has made a significant impact on the music scene with the release of their first full-length album, Blue Valentine. Debuting under JYP Entertainment in 2022, the group comprises members Haewon, Lily, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin. The album showcases their distinctive sound, known as MIXX Pop, which blends various genres rather than adhering to prevailing trends.
The title track, a melancholic pop-rock piece, emphasizes the group’s vocal prowess and has begun to gain traction on the Korean charts, currently ranking at No. 51 on the Melon Top 100 chart. The album centers on the theme of love, with Haewon explaining, “On this album, we put in a lot of love stories that maybe people are going through, have already gone through or maybe will be going through,” during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The members engaged in a late-night Zoom conversation from their base in Seoul, discussing the album’s significance and their artistic evolution.
Exploring Diverse Themes and Genres
“Blue Valentine is about so many different emotions that you feel when you experience love,” Haewon shared. Each track reflects various aspects of love through distinct musical styles, allowing listeners to experience the theme from multiple angles.
Lily noted the importance of this milestone, saying, “When I look at our sunbaenims [Korean term for seniors in the same field], all of their first full albums were very iconic. I really hope that our first full album, Blue Valentine, can end up as a very iconic album in NMIXX’s discography.”
The lead single diverges from previous sounds, with Lily admitting her initial shock upon hearing it. “I was kind of worried if we could pull it off,” she confessed, but emphasized that the group committed to perfecting their performance and recording process.
Kyujin highlighted the rigorous training that has prepared them for diverse genres. “Since my trainee years, we’ve trained in many different genres, choreography-wise and dance-wise,” she explained.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
The music video for “Blue Valentine” was filmed in Los Angeles using innovative techniques. Sullyoon mentioned that this unique approach would be clear to fans upon viewing the video. Bae added that behind-the-scenes footage would further surprise viewers, inviting them to engage with both the final product and its creation.
The album also revisits their debut track, “O.O,” breaking it into two distinct versions. Lily reflected on the significance of this decision, stating, “I’m really happy that we could give that to them. It is really full circle because this is our first full album.”
As NMIXX approaches their four-year anniversary, they acknowledge the pressures that accompany their growing success. Bae articulated a shift in perspective, noting, “At first, I felt pressure… But now — because of all the members… I now have trust. That trust creates more excitement instead of pressure.”
Haewon and Lily contributed to the album’s lyrics, a first for the group. They expressed a blend of excitement and apprehension about this new responsibility. “It was very, very important,” Lily remarked, emphasizing her desire to create something meaningful.
Haewon added that she faced challenges in making revisions, ultimately striving to ensure that the lyrics resonated with fans and reflected their experiences.
As NMIXX embarks on this new chapter with Blue Valentine, the group continues to explore their identity while embracing change, driven by a dedication to their craft and their supporters, known as NSWER. With their innovative approach and strong vocal performances, they are poised to make an enduring mark in the K-pop landscape.
