NEXZ Returns with 'Beat-Boxer': JYP's Rising Boy Group Names Park Jin Young and Stray Kids as Role Models

JYP Entertainment's rookie boy group NEXZ is making waves with their third mini-album 'Beat-Boxer,' released on October 27, 2024. In a recent interview with Star News in Seoul, the seven-member group-Tomoya, Yu, Haru, So Geon, Seita, Hyui, and Yuki-opened up about their new music, their inspirations, and what drives them as performers.

Six Months of Growth

After debuting in May 2024 with 'Ride the Vibe,' NEXZ has been on a whirlwind journey. Their second mini-album 'O-RLY?' in April and Japanese EP 'One Bite' in July both charted well, and they completed a Japanese tour hitting 15 cities with over 50,000 fans.

"We've been practicing hard to show a cooler and more mature side," said Hyui about their six-month break between Korean releases. The wait paid off-fans got their first taste of 'Beat-Boxer' when the group performed it on tvN's 'Bujang Sibbwoya X JYP Scout,' and the response was overwhelming.

"When we showed the choreography on the show, fans loved it," leader Tomoya recalled with a smile. "That gave us so much confidence."

A Title Track Built for Battle

'Beat-Boxer' isn't just a song-it's a statement. The album includes five tracks: the title song, plus 'Legacy,' 'I'm Him,' 'Co-Star,' and 'Next To Me.'

"When we first heard it, we were shocked," Hyui admitted. "It's the most powerful song we've done. The performance makes you think of a dance battle."

That battle mentality is real. Three members-Tomoya, Yu, and Haru-choreographed the title track themselves, incorporating heavy breaking moves. "We knew we had to show all our power," explained Yu. "Please pay attention to the breaking."

Yuki praised his fellow members' work: "Dancing it for the first time, I could feel they created it thinking of all of us. The choreography suits us perfectly. We're going to kill this."

Their First Love Letter to Fans

While 'Beat-Boxer' brings the heat, B-side 'Next To Me' shows the group's softer side. All seven members wrote lyrics for what they're calling their first official fan song for NEX2Y (their fandom name). Tomoya and Haru also helped compose it.

"We invested a lot of time because this is for our fans," Tomoya shared. "It was interesting how each member used different words. I watch a lot of Korean dramas and movies, so I used phrases from those."

When asked to rate their satisfaction with the album, the members didn't hesitate: "100 out of 100."

The Power of Diverse Dance Backgrounds

"NEXZ's advantage is our performance," Hyui explained. "We're a team where members have learned everything-house, locking, jazz, hip-hop, breaking-from a young age. When we come together, our power multiplies."

That diverse skillset makes sense given their origin. NEXZ was formed through 'Nizi Project Season 2,' a 2023 survival show jointly produced by JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Japan. During the finale, Stray Kids' production unit 3RACHA served as special judges.

Learning from Legends

Tomoya doesn't hide his admiration for JYP founder Park Jin Young. "Since my trainee days, I've gone to his concerts every year-end. Even while singing live, his dance lines and movements are clean and full of feeling. His stage feels like another dimension."

The respect deepened after personal interactions. "He recently asked me, 'You're doing so well. Is anything difficult?' at the 'Bujang Sibbwoya' filming," Tomoya said. "We were also honored to perform 'Honey' with him at his 30th anniversary concert."

But perhaps the most meaningful moment came over dinner at Park Jin Young's home. "He told me to 'cherish the members, fans, and company staff.' He said with these three things, you'll be loved for a long time. I want to become that kind of artist and producer someday."

Following Stray Kids' Footsteps

NEXZ members proudly call themselves STAYs (Stray Kids fans). They've attended concerts and received backstage mentorship from their seniors.

"We respect Stray Kids and want to become artists like them," the members shared. "Watching them excel at live performances, dancing, and stage presence taught us so much."

Leader Tomoya mentioned a particularly encouraging encounter: "Felix and Han came to our waiting room and gave us feedback. They told us, 'If you maintain a humble heart, everything will go well.' That was really reassuring."

The recent backstage moment at The Fact Music Awards 2025 showed this bond clearly-Felix brought ice cream to NEXZ after their rehearsal, and both senior idols offered warm advice.

Dreams of Dome Concerts

After watching senior groups like DAY6 and TWICE perform on 360-degree stages, Tomoya's ambitions grew. "I really want to hold a concert in a big venue with a 360-degree stage. The choreography direction keeps changing, and the audience can focus more."

The group just completed their first Korean solo concert 'ONE BEAT' at Seoul's Olympic Hall on October 25-26, right before dropping 'Beat-Boxer.' For So Geon, performing at Olympic Hall was surreal: "When I first came to Korea, I watched Park Jin Young's concert there. I thought the venue was beautiful. Now we get to perform there ourselves."

What's Next

Formed through passion, trained with rigor, and inspired by industry legends, NEXZ is making their mark. With members ranging from diverse dance backgrounds and a commitment to continuous growth, they embody their name's meaning: opening up the future for the next generation.

As they stand six months into their career with a self-rated perfect album and a growing international fanbase, NEXZ isn't just following in anyone's footsteps-they're carving their own path in K-pop, one powerful performance at a time.