▲ This photo of K-pop girl group NMIXX is provided by JYP Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- NMIXX has topped both the album and digital charts with its first full-length album “Blue Valentine” and its title track of the same name.

 

Debuting in February 2022, the group has consistently pursued its signature “mix pop” sound — blending multiple genres within a single track. This time, NMIXX captivated listeners with a more approachable yet distinctive composition that still reflects its musical identity.

 

According to the local music industry on Oct. 22, “Blue Valentine” ranked No. 1 on Melon’s “Top 100” chart on Oct. 20. It is the group’s first time reaching the top of a major chart, three years and eight months after debuting, despite strong competition from leading K-pop acts and the global popularity of the “K-pop Demon Hunters” soundtrack.

 

Through its agency JYP Entertainment, NMIXX said, “We’re proud and happy to have achieved a ‘career high’ with our first full-length album filled with NMIXX’s bold music and charm. We were especially touched by comments saying, ‘The NMIXX boom is coming.’ We’re truly grateful to everyone who recognized our efforts and supported us in showcasing our unique color.”

 

As a girl group launched by JYP — often dubbed a powerhouse for top-tier female acts — NMIXX drew early attention for its strong live performance skills. However, as other fourth-generation girl groups quickly took the lead in the K-pop scene, NMIXX was often seen as taking longer to grow. Its early mix pop tracks, such as “O.O” and “Dash,” stood out for their experimental structure but were considered less accessible to the general public.

 

With “Blue Valentine,” the group found the perfect balance between experimentation and familiarity. The song, characterized by a catchy melody, gained traction immediately after release and rose to No. 1 within a week.

 

Blending synth sounds and guitar riffs over a boom-bap rhythm, “Blue Valentine” expresses the desire to reignite a cold heart at the point where two emotions collide.

 

“When we saw the song reach No. 1 on Melon’s ‘Top 100,’ we immediately thought of our fans,” the members said. “We’ll continue to do our best to make ‘NSWER’ (our fandom) proud.”

 

The album also performed strongly in sales, selling 645,000 copies in its first week, topping the weekly album chart on Hanteo Chart.

 

A JYP representative attributed the song’s success to “its melodic and accessible chorus, natural mix pop flow, seasonal atmosphere, and relatable lyrics.”

 

Unlike NMIXX’s earlier mix pop songs that emphasized stark contrasts between two genres, “Blue Valentine” opts for a smoother transition, shifting tempos to create a seamless listening experience.

 

“In previous songs, the focus was on genre shifts,” the JYP official explained. “But ‘Blue Valentine’ uses a tempo change in the pre-chorus to build a mix pop mood. Because the album explores the duality of love, we chose to emphasize emotional progression and natural flow rather than a dramatic contrast.”

 

The members’ falsetto in the chorus complements the song’s cool tone, aligning with the “blue” concept in both the album and track title. Moving between chest voice and falsetto, the members deliver a refined expression of emotional tension.

 

Music critic Jung Min-jae commented, “NMIXX’s early mix pop style wasn’t bad — it showed the group’s character — but it did sound unfamiliar to many listeners. It seems they finally found a balance, and this track blends everything together beautifully.”

 

NMIXX will continue its momentum with its first-ever world tour, to be held at Inspire Arena on Yeongjong Island in Incheon on Nov. 29-30.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]