Group NMIXX, Photo courtesy of|JYP Entertainment

It is not the strong who endure; those who endure are strong. Group NMIXX (Lily, Haewon, Sullyoon, Bae, Kyujin, Jiwoo) fits that description. Some had labeled them a lightweight among fourth-generation girl groups, but just three years after debut they have devoured the music charts, proving their power.

NMIXX made 2025 their best year. The title track "Blue Valentine" from their first full-length album "Blue Valentine," released in October, topped Melon Top 100 as well as the daily and weekly charts, then went on to sweep the November monthly chart. It is a meaningful achievement three years after they were counted alongside IVE and aespa as standard-bearers of the fourth generation of girl groups.

Group NMIXX, Photo courtesy of|JYP Entertainment

Because they weathered a turbulent early period, the significance was all the greater. In 2022, their agency JYP Entertainment announced the launch of a new girl group following ITZY and heralded NMIXX's debut, but right before the showcase Bae tested positive for COVID-19, pushing the debut showcase to March. After debuting with the title track "O.O" from their first EP "Ad Mare," they signaled active promotions by releasing two special singles and one single, but in December of the same year member Jini left for personal reasons, confronting them with another crisis.

Even so, they did not waver. Embracing "mix-pop"a blend of dance, hip-hop, rock, and more over a sprightly beatas their identity, they waited for the right moment, armed with assured vocals and performance skills. In 2024 they took No. 1 on various music shows with "DASH" and built popularity with "See That?," but they still couldn't quite turn the digital charts in their favor.

Their potential exploded with "Blue Valentine." The 12-track studio album, including the title track, "Spinnin' on It," and "Phoenix," earned praise for striking the most perfect balance yet in the "mix-pop" NMIXX had pursued.

Group NMIXX, Photo courtesy of|JYP Entertainment

In particular, the title track "Blue Valentine" instantly grabs listeners with an addictive chorus as it playfully varies BPM shifts within a minor-key mood. Melancholic synths and a guitar riff lead the song, while boom-bap rhythms that slow down and then speed up intersect to add dimensionality. The members' distinctive voices come together to complete an exhilarating track. Thanks to that appeal, "Blue Valentine" first reached No. 1 on the Melon Top 100 on October 20, a week after release, and held the summit of that chart from the afternoon of October 21 through the morning of November 22. On the daily chart, as of November 9 it logged its 18th No. 1 in totalmaking it the K-pop group with the most No. 1s on that chart this yearand it kept the spot for a total of 30 days. On the weekly chart, it took No. 1 for four consecutive weeks for the Nov. 1723 tally, and its strong run ultimately carried it to the top of the monthly chart as well, proving its status as a year-end must-listen with lasting popularity. Any frustration over digital-chart performance was washed away at once.

NMIXX world tour concert poster. Photo courtesy of|JYP Entertainment

The B-side "Spinnin' on It" was recognized even more overseas. On the 10th (local time), the UK music magazine NME selected it as No. 1 on "The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2025," announced on its official website. NME wrote, "NMIXX, who mounted some of the year's most momentous activities, reached a peak with "Blue Valentine." Among them, "Spinnin' on It" is the emotional keystone of the record, capturing the moment their signature (mix-pop) genre meets a razor-sharp sensibility," and added, "Even if they say in the lyrics "Love is tired", we can't help but fall even deeper for NMIXX."

They are taking off once again. They will meet fans around the world by holding their first world tour, EPISODE 1: ZERO FRONTIER. After signaling the tour's opening by showcasing solid stage prowess over two days on the 29th and 30th of last month at Incheon Inspire Arena, NMIXX will extend to 11 stops across Europe and North America next year: March 17 Madrid, 20 Amsterdam, 22 Paris, 24 Frankfurt, 26 London, 29 Toronto, 31 Brooklyn, April 2 National Harbor, 4 Irving, 7 Oakland, and 9 Los Angeles.

All eyes are on what results NMIXX's powerhoned at their own brisk pace into a color all their ownwill produce next.