NMIXX joins Billboard’s Deputy Editor, Lyndsey Havens for a discussion on the explosion of K-pop in the Latin market, and its future in Español.
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MusicTranscript
00:00You're going to find someone like me
00:03You're going to kiss someone like me
00:05You're not going to be like me
00:07She's like you and I'm not like her
00:10Why are you so quiet?
00:12I'm going to eat, I'm going to give it to you
00:14Oh yeah, of course I'm going to eat
00:16But I'm not going to give it to you
00:31So this is a very exciting historic moment
00:34This is the first K-pop act we've ever had at Latin Music Week
00:41We're very excited to have you all here
00:43Thank you for being here at MIX
00:45So obviously we've been looking forward to this
00:47But why were you all excited to attend Billboard's Latin Music Week?
00:51Why were you excited to attend Billboard's Latin Music Week?
00:59Well first of all, we heard that
01:01Obviously we're the first K-pop group to ever attend the Billboard Latin Week
01:06So that in itself is such an honor
01:10There are a lot of wonderful people here
01:19That's why it's such an honor to be with them
01:24I'm excited!
01:28And also through this fantastic opportunity
01:31We want to get even closer to our Latin fans
01:37And connect with them more deeply through our music
01:44Yeah!
01:46So when did you all become interested in the Latin music market then?
01:56Maybe since before our debut
01:59We were trainees
02:01We've been learning Spanish from before our debut
02:05So we were already very interested in the Latin market
02:09And also we have a song called O.O.
02:11That was our debut song
02:13And in the song it was influenced by a lot of Latin beats
02:18And it also had Spanish in the song as well
02:21So that in itself was definitely one of the big moving points for us
02:26To be more interested in Latin music culture
02:32And in particular while we were performing at Camp Festival
02:37Yeah!
02:39In Mexico in 2023
02:41We were so amazed by our fans' passion and hospitality
02:49So we were so touched by that
02:52It was unforgettable
02:54Yeah, absolutely
02:56Yeah, so when did you notice then after your debut
02:59That so much of your fan base was Latin?
03:10I think for me personally
03:14After I started learning Spanish
03:17I noticed more and more Spanish comments on our videos and stuff
03:23And I thought, you know, I kind of found a joy
03:26In trying to figure out what they were saying
03:29Even without using the translator
03:31And ever since then
03:33I've seen the amount of Spanish comments growing and growing
03:37And then recently
03:39Before that we went to Mexico
03:41And then recently we went to Spain
03:44And so I think even because of that
03:46It's been growing even more and more
03:48And so we're always very excited
03:50And so grateful to the Latin fans
03:53Because they are so passionate
03:55And so loving towards us
03:58So it's something we're always grateful for
04:00And also since the early days of our debut
04:04We produced a lot of content of Spanish language
04:08Yeah, yeah
04:10After that, as you said
04:13There's so many comments on that
04:16In Espanol
04:19In Espanol
04:21And so I think that's why I started being more interested
04:27Why do you all think that K-pop has become more popular
04:31Specifically with a Gen Z Spanish speaking community?
04:35Why do you think the Spanish and Gen Z generations
04:37Are starting to become more interested in K-pop?
05:06Getting to know an idol's personality
05:09And their relationships within the group
05:11Is something that I think Latin fans really love
05:14And they also love great performances
05:17Because obviously Latin music really
05:21Tends to think of performance quality
05:23Like dancing, singing is very important
05:26And I think it's very similar with K-pop performances
05:30So naturally Latin fans
05:33They tend to gravitate to K-pop performances as well
05:37So I think we're very thankful
05:41Obviously you just mentioned performances
05:43And social media has been hugely helpful
05:45But what else do you think NMIX has done really well
05:48That's helped translate over to the Latin market?
05:52We're approaching our fans through social media
05:54And many other ways
05:56But what other ways have we been able to approach them?
06:00And how have we been able to connect with them?
06:19I think our Latin fans who are familiar with Latin music
06:23Have been able to listen to our music
06:26And become more interested in us
06:30I think our Latin fans who are more familiar with Latin music
06:33When they heard our song that has the mixed genre
06:36I think they were able to enjoy our songs very well
06:41And also a thing that we worked really hard at
06:45Is just how much effort we put into our stages
06:51So ever since we were a trainee
06:53We've practiced our singing and dancing a lot
06:56And I think that's definitely attracted a lot of fans
06:59Whenever they see our performances
07:01We definitely get a lot of compliments
07:03On our singing and our dancing
07:06And I think that's a big charming point for NMIX
07:10And part of the reason why we've gotten the fans that we have
07:14Including the Latin fans
07:16Is because of our dedication to the craft
07:20Obviously it's in the name NMIX
07:22You've become known for experimenting
07:24And mixing styles of music
07:26Why is that important not only to you all as a group
07:28But to any artist today?
07:51I feel like one of the reasons is that
07:53When you mix a lot of genres together
07:55You tend to have various performances within that song
07:59The most important thing is that
08:01As social media develops
08:03It's an era where you can easily access music from all over the world
08:08So if you hear a genre that you're familiar with
08:13I think it'll be easier for you to get into that song
08:20That's why we mix a lot of genres
08:28And if you are familiar with certain sounds
08:30And you hear that in a music
08:32Then I feel like you'll be able to enjoy it even more
08:37Who are some artists in any genre
08:39That you love who do that really well
08:41Who can mix styles pretty seamlessly?
08:44With NMIX?
08:45Favorite artists for you
08:47Not in the group
08:48Okay, okay
08:50Who are the other groups that are good at mixing?
08:56Groups that are good at mixing?
08:58You can just say favorite artists
09:07Seolhyun?
09:15S.Gar.G?
09:16S.Gar.G?
09:39Very good
09:47I really enjoy listening to Latin music
09:50And I saw that Lisa and Rosalia
09:53Did a collaboration together
10:03While watching the collaboration
10:05I thought it would be great
10:07If we could grow even more
10:09And do a collaboration with an artist
10:11That we respect
10:16And grow a lot more
10:17And be able to collaborate with our dream artists as well
10:22I hope to collaborate with J.Barbon
10:28I heard that
10:30Actually, I heard that J.Barbon came here
10:34Oh my god, Aki, Aki
10:36I really respect him
10:38J.Barbon, me too
10:40If I have the chance
10:46I would fly in the sky
10:52Thank you
11:01And for me
11:04Through this opportunity
11:06I will collaborate with Gloria Estefan
11:09She is a legendary artist in Latin music
11:13Right?
11:17Can I talk about artists that we want to collaborate with?
11:20I really want to collaborate with Dana Paula
11:24I really respect her as an artist
11:26Because she is a great singer, performer
11:29Songwriter and even actor
11:33Actually, I got to know her
11:36The song, Know Me Too Well
11:38The collaboration song with New Hope Club
11:41I love her own music style
11:44So I love that song
11:46Like Mala Fama or Fina Feliz
11:49So I really want to collaborate with her
11:51Please
11:57Can I talk about artists that I want to collaborate with?
12:01Can I also talk about artists that I want to collaborate with?
12:04Yes
12:05Scutter G
12:09When I came to Paris Fashion Week
12:14I liked her charisma
12:16So I would like to collaborate with her
12:20Please
12:24Yes
12:25Very good
12:27Given all of the names that you just threw out
12:29Why is it so important to be connecting K-pop
12:33And Latin fans and communities in this way?
12:36And be leading that?
12:48Well, I think that
12:51Latin music and K-pop
12:53Really have the potential to be best friends
12:56I think there are quite a few similarities
12:59That I think can definitely
13:02Show so much potential
13:04For example, like I said, the performances
13:07Also, I think we both love the dramatics of everything
13:11Like the colors, the music videos, the outfits
13:15And I think it's just perfect
13:17For a perfect mesh together, you know?
13:19And also, K-pop artists respect Latin artists so much
13:23And so I think that's why we are continuously
13:26Trying to collaborate
13:29And, you know, emulate and respect
13:32That's what I think
13:39We really, really love Latin music
13:42Yeah, we do
13:45So you mentioned Sonia earlier
13:47I think that's the best example
13:49Of this fusion that you've done
13:51Tell me about the creation of that song
13:53And also, you just released the Spanish version last week
14:18And we have prepared a new version in Spanish
14:22To express our gratitude
14:29And as we were turning that into a Spanish version
14:32We also added Latin guitar sounds
14:35In the mix-pop section of the track
14:47If you listen to the chorus
14:49We say
14:53Which means
14:55Let's dream together
14:58In Spanish
15:00This shows our desire for the Latin market
15:07So we hope you will love it just as much as we do
15:21Thank you
15:23Do you think that we could maybe hear
15:25A little bit more of the song right now?
15:29We actually prepared an acapella version
15:33Of Al soñar in Spanish
15:36Would you like to hear it?
15:39Thank you
15:40Let's go
16:03I'm tired
16:04I can't sit down
16:05Dancing to our rhythm
16:08Let's create a new ending
16:09Yeah
16:10Let's break it
16:14Leave it
16:15We don't want to
16:16Stop
16:20Just one more step
16:22To the world of dreams
16:26Hurry up, don't give up just like that
16:33Thank you
16:34I feel like I'm in Pitch Perfect
16:36Thank you
16:39That was amazing
16:40Thank you
16:41Thank you
16:43Tell me about a little more
16:45Why it was important to release a Spanish version of that song
16:48And what the reception has been so far
16:50Looking in comments or anywhere else online
16:54Why did you think it was important to release it in Spanish?
16:58And how did people react?
17:00Tell me about the comments
17:12We wanted to approach our Latin fans
17:16In an easier way
17:28Also, we knew that we were going to perform in Spain
17:32And we were going to come here to Miami
17:34For the Billboard Latin Week
17:36So we wanted to maybe surprise our Spanish speaking fans
17:41With a Spanish version of our song
17:43So it's kind of like a surprise present for them
17:46And well, I think that they really liked it
17:49We got a lot of great comments from our fans
17:52Praising our pronunciation
17:55Which we did practice a lot
17:57And they said they liked the new mix pop version as well
18:02Which I also really like
18:04So we were really really thankful for their praises and their comments
18:15And I feel like we're in this place
18:17It's such a precious moment all thanks to our fans
18:27So I think if we release our music in Spanish
18:29We'll be able to get closer to our fans
18:31And we'll be able to see them more often
18:33That's why we decided to release it
18:53Me too!
18:58Given how much you love the Latin music market
19:00What can you tell us about future plans for more Spanish language music?
19:12I really want to participate in a lot of Latin festivals
19:18Yeah yeah
19:19Also Campfest
19:21And Vina de Mar
19:26Thank you, gracias
19:30Festival Presidente
19:32And El Festival
19:34I want to participate in those too
19:38Me too
19:39I think NMIX is especially well suited to festivals
19:44Sorry to toot our own horn a bit
19:46But I think we're quite good at live singing
19:51And we've worked hard on our dances
19:54And I think every time we do perform at a festival
19:57We get good reactions from people
20:01So you know, you guys can maybe invite us if you want to
20:09Obviously it's clear you're learning Spanish
20:11Is there a favorite word that you have learned so far?
20:24Because I want to travel to your heart
20:31Perfect!
20:35Thank you, thank you
20:40For me, Baila
20:43Dance
20:45In our debut song in O.O.
20:49It has Baila in the lyrics
20:57For me, good luck
21:04For me, autumn
21:07Because the pronunciation is very beautiful
21:12My favorite word in Spanish is French fries
21:19Because my favorite food is French fries
21:27For me, my favorite sentence
21:32I want to swim in your eyes that look like a lake
21:36It means, I would like to swim in the lake-like eyes of yours
21:43Perfect!
21:44Thank you
21:45How much time are you spending learning the language right now?
21:49And are you learning through music or film, TV?
21:55I take Spanish classes
21:57And I watch a lot of movies
22:02I take Spanish classes
22:04And I watch some dramas and movies in Spanish too
22:28Step by step
22:32Paso a paso, step by step
22:35Gracias
22:37Yes, it's sounding great so far
22:39Thank you
22:40So obviously you're making history by being here today
22:43In a year from now, what would you like to have accomplished for yourselves in the Latin music market?
22:49You've accomplished a lot
22:51Do you have any plans or goals for the Latin music market for next year?
23:19We hope to bring Latin music to more people
23:35Thank you
23:39What's the benefit of being an act that is a global force and a global genre?
23:44You can connect with people in the Latin market, you're here in Miami
23:48Why is that exciting for you all?
24:01I think for me, it's one of the most exciting things about being a K-pop idol
24:06First of all, like visiting different countries
24:10Learning different languages and their cultures
24:13And also, I think it's really special that people from all over the world can come together
24:19For the love of like one thing
24:21In this case, music
24:23And I don't know, it's just really heartwarming to me
24:26To see people in Spanish and English
24:29Or maybe Chinese and Korean
24:31Or Japanese and English
24:33Like speaking together about how much they love this song
24:37Or how much they think this person's performance was amazing
24:42I think it's just a very hopeful thing that we can bring to the future
24:48It's really important also
24:50The love that people have for music definitely connects all different cultures
24:57Very well said
24:58That kind of leads me to my next question
25:00Which is your recently released third EP
25:03It's phenomenal
25:04It's called Stick Out
25:05And it's really about how it can be a good thing and a bad thing
25:09To stick out of a crowd
25:11So I'm curious
25:12What is your advice for someone who might be feeling that way
25:15Who feels like they stand out too much
25:17Or that they don't belong
25:19The title of your third album is Stick Out
25:21When you feel like you don't fit in
25:25There must be pros and cons
25:27If you feel that way
25:29If you have any advice
25:31Please tell us
25:34All the stars in the sky that are sparkling up there
25:45They're all very like
25:47They're stones that are just thick and pointy
25:57And I hope you guys can love yourselves
26:00Yeah
26:02You're so special
26:09You guys are special people
26:30Even if you think you're kind of different
26:32And you stick out from the crowd
26:33That's never a bad thing
26:34It really can turn into your best feature
26:36So with NMIX
26:38Let's just go on a journey together
26:45Why do you think that unites you all as a group?
26:48How do your differences make this group so special
26:51And make it so successful?
27:00Like the members said
27:02Sometimes people can think of it
27:04As being like a black sheep
27:06Or sticking out from the crowd
27:08Might sometimes be perceived as bad
27:11However, I think when it comes to art
27:13There's nothing worse than being boring
27:16And NMIX are definitely not boring
27:18And I think kind of sticking out from the box sometimes
27:22Is really needed
27:24Continuously
27:26Growing, continuously creating new things
27:28Is something that will definitely
27:30Especially in the future
27:32Will come to be more unique to NMIX
27:35And I think we do that with our songs
27:38Where we use mix-pop
27:40Which is a genre that mixes one or more genres together
27:43It might not be everyone's cup of tea at the start
27:46But it definitely
27:48The more you listen
27:50The more you can get addicted to it
27:52And also
27:54I think how we really, really, really
27:58Think of live vocals
28:00As something that's really important to our team
28:02So that also makes us stick out from the crowd a bit
28:11And then just wrapping up
28:13For any other K-pop act
28:15That sees what you've accomplished
28:17In the Latin music space
28:20What would you tell them
28:22For how to start building a fan base?
28:34If I were to speak out of my own experience
28:37Study hard Spanish and English, please
28:40I agree
28:42Study hard Spanish
28:44Please
28:46Study hard Spanish
28:48I will
28:52I mean, I wouldn't
28:54Obviously, there have been a lot of artists before us
28:58Who have definitely pioneered
29:01Into collaborating with Spanish and Latin artists more
29:07So it's hard to say that
29:10We're really pioneering into it
29:13However, I suppose if there are any other artists
29:18Who want advice
29:20I would say
29:22Just make sure you keep the respect
29:24Because I think that's one of the most important things
29:27Obviously when delving into different cultures
29:30Sometimes it can be a touchy-feely subject
29:32And I don't think it needs to be
29:34As long as there's always respect and intention
29:37Behind every single thing and word you say
29:40You can definitely respect and love a music genre so much
29:44Without it having to be anything in a bad way
29:49You know what I mean?
29:51So to those artists
29:53Just try and study the genre, study the music
29:56And if you have a genuine respect behind it
29:58Everything should be going perfectly for you
30:05Speaking of respect and love for the genre
30:08Do you have a favorite song from a Latin artist
30:11That you might want to tell us a little bit about?
30:14Maybe sing a little bit of?
30:21We'll sing
30:22Si, si
30:23We do, we do
30:25This is another little surprise
30:39Wow
30:59Amazing
31:00Si antes te hubiera conocido by Carol G
31:03Yeah, we really love that song
31:07Thank you so much
31:08That sounded beautiful
31:09Thank you
31:10Well, thank you all so much again
31:11This is such a treat
31:12You've made history by being here
31:14And we're so excited to see more of you in the future
31:16Thank you
31:17Muchas gracias por invitarnos
31:19Si, muchas gracias
31:22Muchas gracias