K-pop sensation NexZ marked their highly anticipated return on Monday, confidently declaring their unique identity with the release of their second EP, “Mmchk.” This new album is meticulously crafted around the group’s distinctive rhythm and authentic attitude.
During a dedicated press showcase held in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, the dynamic seven-member K-pop act — comprising Tomoya, Yu, Haru, Sogeon, Seita, Hyui, and Yuki — officially introduced “Mmchk” as their latest musical endeavor, marking their first release in six months since their October 2025 single, “Beat-Boxer.”
“The title ‘Mmchk’ profoundly reflects how we define our authentic selves — it’s about choosing our unique standards and enjoying life on our own terms, rather than conforming to any fixed framework or external expectations,” explained group leader Tomoya. “With this new album, NexZ aimed to showcase our vibrant and cheerful energy.”
The central title track, also named “Mmchk,” is a captivating bass house-based dance anthem. It brilliantly merges playful rapping with an undeniably addictive beat, crafting a signature sound for NexZ. Members Tomoya, Hyui, and Yuki actively contributed to writing the lyrics, intentionally shaping the song around the empowering concept of acting freely, unbound by conventional manners or societal expectations.
When queried about the distinctive meaning behind the album’s intriguing title, Hyui elaborated, “‘Mmchk’ is a unique term we specifically coined to encapsulate an attitude that defies definition within conventional standards. For us, it embodies the spirit of embracing what we genuinely like and are drawn to, enjoying it fully without regrets or concern for external perceptions.”
Sogeon further elucidated that the impactful phrase “Mmchk” functions almost as an inviting signal, urging people to take notice of the talented NexZ group.
“Essentially, it conveys the message, ‘Please notice us,’” Sogeon clarified. “We deliberately aimed to portray this concept within the ‘Mmchk’ music video. While individuals around us are engrossed in their own pursuits, we persistently chant ‘Mmchk’ as a dynamic means of showcasing our unique charm and compelling performance to capture their attention.”
Beyond the title track, the “Mmchk” EP also features the captivating side track “Hypeman,” a testament to the songwriting prowess of Yuki and Tomoya, who solely penned its lyrics. When asked to reveal the inspiration behind these heartfelt lyrics, Yuki shared that he drew directly from the group’s dedicated fanbase, affectionately known as Nex2y.
“The lyrics within ‘Hypeman’ contain a powerful line: ‘Because you shine, I can shine too,’” Yuki explained movingly. “This particular sentiment struck me vividly during one of our electrifying live performances, as I witnessed our devoted fans, Nex2y, shining brightly and passionately as they looked up at us.”
Given that NexZ is a global boy band comprising eight Japanese members and one Korean member, Hyui acknowledged that the process of writing lyrics in Korean continues to present a significant challenge for the group. Nevertheless, he emphasized that this inherent difficulty paradoxically enriches the overall production process, making it even more meaningful and rewarding.
“As the majority of our members are Japanese, crafting lyrics in Korean inherently presents hurdles. Yet, regardless of the challenge, we are steadfast in our commitment to infuse our authentic thoughts and core messages into every song,” Hyui clarified. He further added that the members diligently invest effort into mastering Korean, meticulously verifying their chosen vocabulary with dictionary checks to ensure precision and depth.
Nevertheless, exceptional performance remains a cornerstone of NexZ’s distinctive identity, with the K-pop group widely celebrated for its elaborate and captivating stage skills. Haru characterized the intricate choreography for “Mmchk” as challenging to categorize within a single dance genre, attributing its unique appeal to the diverse individual dance skills of each member.
“Every NexZ member brings experience from various dance styles, which I believe significantly contributes to making our choreography for ‘Mmchk’ truly stand out,” Haru explained, highlighting his own three years of popping training before joining JYP Entertainment. “I feel that a multitude of dance genres organically shine through in the ‘Mmchk’ performance, ensuring a dynamic and enjoyable viewing experience for our audience.”
As NexZ rapidly approaches its second anniversary since their impactful debut in May 2024, the accomplished boy band took a moment to reflect on their remarkable growth journey. Yu expressed that “two years have flown by incredibly quickly” and voiced his hope that the “Mmchk” EP will introduce even more listeners to the captivating world of NexZ. Concurrently, leader Tomoya affirmed that the group’s collective sense of identity and artistic direction has become progressively clearer and more defined with each passing release.
“In stark contrast to our debut, where nerves were so intense it was difficult to even sleep before hitting the stage, NexZ’s unique color and powerful stage presence are undeniably becoming more distinct and polished,” Tomoya elaborated. “Our unwavering determination to genuinely revel in every moment on stage has now seamlessly integrated into our signature group vibe.”
This exciting comeback coincides with NexZ’s preparation for an exceptionally busy global schedule. The dynamic septet is poised to embark on a series of highly anticipated global showcase events, captivating audiences in Taiwan’s capital Taipei, Hong Kong, and Bangkok from May to July. This will be swiftly followed by their inaugural Japan arena tour, featuring major stops in Tokyo and Osaka in May. A significant milestone awaits NexZ in September, as they are confirmed to perform as an opening act at Brazil’s iconic Rock in Rio festival, marking their debut performance at a prestigious major international music festival.
“Through these expansive global stages, we sincerely hope that NexZ’s unique charm and artistry will resonate with an even broader international audience,” Tomoya expressed with aspiration. “Even if our music, particularly this new song, leads to just one more person discovering NexZ, that would be incredibly meaningful to us.”
NexZ’s compelling second single album, “Mmchk,” officially debuted worldwide at 6 p.m. on Monday.
