2 weeks ago
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NOWZ is kicking off a bold new era—new name, fresh music, and a heartfelt message—all wrapped up in their rebranded identity and first mini-album IGNITION.
On July 9, the group held a comeback showcase at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, officially introducing their revamped concept to fans and media. Formerly known as Nowadays, the group has emerged as Nowz, signaling a fierce determination to carve their name into the K-pop landscape.
“We poured our hearts into this,” said Hyun Bin, exuding earnest energy. Yeonwoo, now sporting fiery red hair, confidently added, “I’ve returned as the human ignition,” while Si Yoon declared, “We prepared with all we had.” Jin Hyuk, with his newly bleached hair, remarked, “I burned everything—even my hair—for this stage.”
Their debut mini-album IGNITION captures the emotional ignition point of youth—wandering, uncertain, yet brave enough to begin again. The tracks reflect Nowz’s desire to share warmth and comfort through personal stories rather than polished perfection. As Jin Hyuk explained, “This album is the starting point of our true identity. It’s about embracing uncertainty and beginning anew with sincerity.”
The title track “EVERGLOW” blends alternative rock with powerful guitar riffs and gritty metal elements, delivering a message of relentless drive, like a flame that refuses to die out, even in ashes. Hyun Bin noted, “El Capitan, a rising name in K-pop production, collaborated with us. It really pushed the album to another level.” Jin Hyuk added, “We didn’t want just a performance—we wanted to tell a story.”
The group’s shift to a rock-inspired sound wasn’t just musical; it was symbolic. “We wanted to express the strength it takes to keep going after years as trainees,” Nowz shared. Their sound, though non-mainstream, was chosen to set them apart and define their own color in the scene.
Their rebranding is already gaining momentum. Pre-release single “Fly Freely,” featuring (G)I-DLE’s Yuqi, topped QQ Music’s new song chart in China, and its hand-dance challenge went viral on Douyin.
They also shared behind-the-scenes stories from working with producers Woogie and Pentagon’s Wooseok, who not only gifted them songs but guided them with candid advice. “Woogie told us, ‘Don’t try too hard—just be yourselves,’” Nowz recalled. Hyun Bin laughed, “He also said we were really handsome—that stuck with me!”
As the group looks ahead, Yeonwoo reflected, “This album is our version of youth. We didn’t want to tell someone else’s story—we wanted to tell ours, in hopes it brings comfort to others.”
Nowz’s mini-album IGNITION is now available on major music platforms as of 6 PM on July 9. With passion in their hearts and a fire in their sound, Nowz is ready to ignite their place in the K-pop world.
English (US) · 