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JYP announces debut date for new boy band NEXZ
K-pop boy band NEXZ / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
By Pyo Kyung-min
JYP Entertainment, home to renowned K-pop acts including TWICE, Stray Kids and ITZY, announced the official debut date of its latest boy group, NEXZ.
On Wednesday, JYP disclosed that NEXZ will make its official debut on May 20 with its single, "Ride the Vibe," through the company's official social media platforms. The label also released a trailer video for the impending single on the same day.
Consisting entirely of Japanese members — Tomoya, Yu, Haru, So Geon, Seita, Hyui and Yuki — NEXZ marks JYP's first boy band introduction in approximately six years since Stray Kids.
The seven-piece act was formed through the second season of the audition program "Nizi (Rainbow) Project" (2023), a collaboration between JYP and Japan's biggest record label, Sony Music. The two companies previously gave birth to the all-Japanese girl group, NiziU, through the first season of the program in December 2020.
According to the agency, the boy band's name is an abbreviation of "Next Generation" and was personally coined by producer Park Jin-young.
In an official press release, Wednesday, JYP said Park chose the name to signify "members who will take responsibility for the next generation, showcasing music and performances to open a new era."