NMIXX (Haewon, Bae, Jiwoo, Kyujin, Lily, Sullyoon) debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2022 with their single “AD MARE”. Despite being from JYP, known for producing successful girl groups like Wonder Girls, Miss A, TWICE and ITZY, NMIXX initially struggled to attract significant attention.
Their debut coincided with the Beijing Olympics and the rising popularity of other rookie girl groups like IVE, LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans, making their timing less than ideal. However, the main factor hindering NMIXX’s early success was their lack of mainstream appeal. Their mix-pop as well as styling choices did not resonate widely with the general public, failing to capitalize on the buzz typically surrounding a JYP girl group debut.
Despite these challenges, NMIXX managed to maintain a certain level of recognition due to Sullyoon’s visual appeal and Haewon’s entertaining personality. Earlier this year, their reputation as a group with strong live performance skills began to earn them more attention, and their recent university festival appearances have further bolstered their popularity. They have been praised for both their talent and visuals.
Accordingly, their next comeback is crucial. While NMIXX has already proven their talent and attractiveness, mainstream popularity remains the key indicator of a girl group’s success. Previous JYP girl groups like Wonder Girls, Miss A, TWICE and even ITZY during their early days achieved widespread popularity by appealing to a broad audience. While mix-pop is a unique aspect of NMIXX’s identity, a complete lack of mainstream appeal could hinder their success. Their most recent song “DASH” managed to garner some public interest.
Having gained a bit more mainstream appeal with “DASH” and successfully promoting themselves, NMIXX is now well-positioned with strong vocals, dance skills, consistent styling and striking visuals. They have gathered all the elements needed for success, except for a song with broader appeal. It’s time for JYP to strategically incorporate some mainstream elements into their mix-pop style to enhance NMIXX’s popularity.
