New music
In the vast music scene, where melodies and harmonies intertwine like sonic constellations, one group has emerged as a supernova. Welcome to the stage CIX, a group composed of the talented BX, SEUNGHUN, YONGHEE, BAE JINYOUNG, and HYUNSUK. They’ve lit up the scene with their unwavering passion, vocal interplay that dances across chords and choreographed spectacles that mesmerise crowds.
CIX is an abbreviation for “Complete in X”, and like an enigma that unravels with each new melody, they open up new sonic pathways beyond the parameters of established convention. Each member brings with them their own essence, like pieces of a puzzle coming together to form a fascinating technicolour picture.
Recently, the group released their long-awaited EP, a work that marks a new chapter in their career. On ‘OK’ Episode 2: I’m OK’, we’re presented with an engaging narrative about the search for self and the act of wandering along trodden paths in search of identity. Through each journey of discovery, CIX guides the listener towards the unique essence of each individual, revealing how it’s possible to find our own colour or hue: It’s a heartwarming ode to self-discovery and the importance of embracing our individuality in the formative stages of our lives.
Conversing with the group on Zoom, I was quickly able to gauge how caring and charismatic the members were. Preparing an album is a journey full of challenges, and for CIX it was no different. “We prepared this album while we went on a world tour, so above all, we were very short on time. That was something we found challenging during the preparation process”, says JINYOUNG. Still, overcoming the time constraints, CIX have managed to deliver a body of work that reflects their passion and commitment to music.
This album stands out from their previous releases, as SEUNGHUN explains: “We incorporated the story film of the 2nd album into this album, but the biggest difference is that there was no choreography shown in this music video and it’s solely about the CIX universe. It was our first attempt at this, so we worried about how it would turn out. But many of our fans loved it and we’re satisfied and proud with the result.” This approach brought a new layer of immersion for fans, allowing them to fully interact with CIX and their self-styled artistic universe.
Among the songs on the EP, the one that YONGHEE has a deep connection with is ‘Color’. “I really resonate with this track. The lyrics say ‘find your own color’ and I think this is about not only us but many other listeners out there. I hope this song empowers those who are searching for their own uniqueness”. ‘Color’ is a true anthem of encouragement, inspiring listeners to embrace their individual quirks. For YONGHEE and CIX, this song represents the transformative power of music and the power to impact lives in positive, meaningful ways.
The group made their debut in 2019 with ‘Chapter 1:Hello Stranger’ and their evolution is evident, both in artistic growth and in the strengthening of the bonds between the members. “As a team, I believe we’ve managed to find our own distinct color. Also, as we spend more time together, I feel we’re a family unit now,” says the leader BX. When asked about the specific feeling or message they wish to convey through the album, HYUNSUK shares: “Speaking to all young people out there, we’d like to tell them that life may be difficult and challenging but they’ll eventually get through all the hardship. We hope that our songs encourage and energise them.”
Their fans are affectionately called FIX, that’s “Faith in X”. They’re the group’s unwavering support base, providing them with a continuous source of motivation and inspiration. When asked about the song he enjoys performing most on stage to the masses, JINYOUNG answers: “We enjoy performing all of them, but a song that allows us to truly interact with our fans is ‘The One’.”
After embarking on the ‘Save Me Kill Me’ world tour – also the name of the project’s lead track – CIX found themselves immersed in a unique experience in each city they visited. When asked about his favorite place to perform at on tour and where he’d like to visit next, SEUNGHUN shares: “It’s really difficult to choose one country, I liked visiting all the cities. But when we were performing in Paris, I experienced something new. The fans sang a cheering anthem that’s used during soccer games, and as a big soccer enthusiast, I want to visit Paris again to relive that moment.” CIX have fans everywhere, including Latin America. “We haven’t had a a chance to visit South America yet. Brasil is a country full of excitement so we’d love to visit and enjoy some time with our Brazilian fans”, said YONGHEE.
With regards to the recording process, BX discusses the importance of conveying the right emotions: “Getting the emotions right was very important for our title track. During the recording process and the creation of the choreography, we all tried our best to find the right sentiment for the song”. Every note recorded and every movement choreographed is carefully curated to capture the core essence. It’s in these intricate details that CIX bring to life the emotions (and motions) that make their art so universal.
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Words: Isabella Wandermurem (@bellawanderr)
Photo credit: C9 Entertainment
