When NMIXX emerged in February 2022, it wasn’t just about the debut of a girl group. It marked the arrival of a genre christened Mixx Pop, a fusion of clashing genres that blend together to create a cohesive and distinct sound. Their inaugural offering, “O.O” —a mix of trap’s raw energy, baile funk rhythms, the youthful sensibilities of teen pop, and the intense passion of pop rock—is evidence of how they imprinted their unique artistic identity upon the industry’s ever-evolving landscape.
The six-piece ensemble—Haewon, Lily, Sullyoon, Bae, Jiwoo, and Kyujin—has been expanding on that identity ever since, harnessing visuals and an exceptional stage presence to make their music more pronounced and compelling. Now, culminating their Fe3O4 series with the release of their fourth EP, Fe3O4: Forward, the members reflect on the transformative journey that defines their trajectory as a group, underscoring the profound significance of this final installment.
But before segueing into more details, let me briefly explain Fe3O4. The series, via its narrative arc, follows NMIXX’s journey to the utopian realm of Mixxtopia, with Fe3O4: Forward as “the final chapter” in which the members “gain realizations” within the tangible world, dubbed the Field, and ultimately orchestrate the restoration of their ship, the MMU, for a voyage alongside their devoted fanbase, NSWER.
This album, therefore, is about shared experiences and collective growth. For Indian fans in particular, the release is extra special, as its pre-release track “High Horse” features choreography by Indian dancer Paramdeep Singh. “Paramdeep created a performance that brought life to emotions and line movement […]; it was such a special experience!” Jiwoo shares. Interestingly, the partnership has fueled Lily’s interest in Jonita Gandhi’s music, opening the way for future collaborations with Indian artists. “I hope we get to work together soon!” she says, while Jiwoo adds, “I want to experience the passion and energy of our Indian fans in person.”
In essence, Fe3O4: Forward signifies the conclusion of a musical series but also the beginning of this new chapter in NMIXX’s artistic journey—marked by collaborations, creativity, and a lifelong commitment to their devoted NSWER community. In an interview with Rolling Stone India, NMIXX opens up about the hidden meanings in their new EP, how it reflects their evolution and the Indian artists they’d love to collaborate with. Excerpts below:
Congratulations on the release of Fe3O4: Forward! As the final installment in the Fe3O4 series, how do you feel this EP encapsulates your journey as a group so far?
Haewon: The Fe3O4 series tells the story of our journey toward Utopia (Mixxtopia), and this album, Fe3O4: Forward, marks the final chapter of that journey. It represent that we are no longer alone but moving forward with NSWER, our fans. In that sense, this album reflects the path we’ve taken since our debut and signals a new beginning.
Jiwoo: I feel like this album captures everything we’ve experienced, including our growth, our changes, and how our teamwork has evolved. The songs, choreography, and visuals are all connected like one big story, making it a perfect opportunity to showcase who we are as a team.
With the release of six new songs, including “Know About Me” and “High Horse,” how does it showcase the evolution of your sound?
Lily: The sound blends a calm atmosphere with powerful energy, reflecting our confidence and evolving presence. With a trap-based hip-hop beat and bold synth sounds, we infused emotions into our vocals, delivering the message: “If you want to know me more, walk this path with me.”
What new elements or themes did you explore in this album?
Bae: In this album, we’ve finally restored our ship (MMU) and are setting sail toward Mixxtopia with our fans. It’s all about moving forward together as one, and it captures and highlights NMIXX’s direction and message.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song “Know About Me”? What message do you want to convey through this song?
Lily: “Know About Me” is a song that explores the journey of getting to know each other better, opening our hearts, and growing closer. I think this song showcases NMIXX’s maturity in terms of emotions and teamwork.
“High Horse” features choreography by Paramdeep Singh. What was it like collaborating with him?
Jiwoo: The choreo for “High Horse” was unique and impressive as it had a lot of modern dance elements, quite different from the usual K-pop style choreography. Paramdeep created a performance that brought life to emotions and line movement, and it was a new challenge for us as well. I appreciated being able to use an emotion-centered choreo to perform NMIXX’s narrative on stage; it was such a special experience!
Are there any other artists that you’d love to collaborate with in the future? Any other Indian artist, for that matter?
Lily: We recently filmed an Indian MV reaction video and saw a lot of music and videos from various Indian artists. I was really touched by the emotions and expressions in them. Jonita Gandhi’s music stood out to me the most, and I even mentioned that I’d love to collaborate with her, and to my surprise, she responded! That was such an incredible moment—I really hope we get to work together soon!
How important is storytelling in your music? Is there a specific story or concept that inspired this EP? The MMU ship depicted in your “Our New Ship Project: MMU” video piques my interest in particular; it’s a key component of the album’s conceptual storytelling. Could you perhaps elaborate on it?
Jiwoo: In our storyline, MMU is a crucial bridge between Field (reality) and Mixxtopia (our utopia). In previous albums, the ship was damaged by fire, forcing our journey to pause. But in Fe3O4: Forward, we finally restore MMU and set sail again with our fans. This ship is more than just a means of transportation: it represents the time we’ve grown together, our challenges, and our connections. Its completion isn’t just part of the story’s progression but also a symbol of our commitment to moving forward together!
Haewon: Storytelling is an essential element of our music. On top of releasing songs, we build an ongoing narrative, creating a shared universe with our fans. The central message of this album is “never alone, always together,” and we wanted to convey sincerely not just NMIXX’s identity but also the journey we share with our fans.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and the kind of impact you want to have on your fans and the industry?
Haewon: When people hear the name NMIXX, I want our fans to be excited about what we have prepared next. We will continue taking on different challenges while staying true to making music that genuinely resonates with and touches people. For our fans, we hope to be a presence that stays with them in both happy and difficult times. And within K-pop, we want to be remembered as a group unafraid of unexpected twists and musical experiments.
Lily: I hope our music brings comfort and helps people love themselves more. NMIXX is a group where different colors and unique traits come together, and I want to share the message that diversity can create something even more beautiful. We want to be a team that always brings energy and hope to our fans while continuing to pave new paths in the music scene!
Can we expect to see you play in India sometime soon?
Jiwoo: I would absolutely love to! I really want to experience the passion and energy of our Indian fans in person. And if we prepare a special stage just for them, I’d be so excited to see both the process and their reaction!
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