As ZOONIZINI, ASTRO's MJ and JINJIN define what it means to live freely
In an interview, ASTRO's MJ and JINJIN discuss their new sub-unit ZOONIZINI, friendship and the importance of living freely on their own terms
(Photo credit: Fantagio)
Longevity and growing up together has long defined the journey ASTRO has faced together as a K-pop group over the course of a decade. But it hasn’t always been easy.
2023 was a particularly challenging year for the band, marked by change, growth and grief. Member Rocky ultimately decided not to continue his exclusive contract with ASTRO, and has since pursued solo endeavours. And in April that year, ASTRO also coped with the sudden death of their bandmate Moonbin.
Still, as ASTRO approaches their 10th anniversary next year, the group has remained stronger than ever despite the ups and downs. In June, ASTRO performed their first full group concert in three years, even inviting Rocky to participate. It also marked the first time the band performed together since Moonbin’s passing. It was a touching moment for both ASTRO and their fans, also known as AROHA, as it allowed both to reconnect with one another since 2022.
“The most memorable time for me is our most recent ASTRO concert,” MJ tells bunni pop.
“Every moment with the members and our fans is precious, but this concert felt especially meaningful. For me in particular, it had been such a long time since I’d met with fans in person.”
Now as ASTRO continues that celebration of friendship, members MJ and JINJIN are forming the band’s third sub-unit known as ZOONIZINI. The duo’s EP DICE released on August 13th. Their lead single “Some Things Never Change” also describes the pair’s bond together.
“I wanted to show that even though things have changed, our bond hasn’t grown distant, it’s only gotten stronger,” JINJIN says.
“The song carries the message that despite everything from our younger days to now, we haven’t really changed, and it also looks back on the memories from those carefree times.”
There’s a cheerful energy in the music video that accompanies “Some Things Never Change”, as JINJIN and MJ hang out together in a loft while reminiscing about the past.
“We wanted to show the message of [enjoying] the moment wherever we are. And we’re happy as long as we’re together,” JINJIN says.
There’s a running theme across DICE as an EP, a project that both MJ and JINJIN says celebrates the act of living freely and staying grounded. It’s refreshing given the challenges ASTRO has faced in recent years. But embarking on this new journey together as a sub-unit has given better appreciation for each other, and how beautiful life can be in general.
“We created DICE at a point where we were feeling more at ease mentally, and I realized that just like there’s an art to letting go, you really do start to see a lot more once you do let go,” JINJIN says.
“JINJIN and I have really good chemistry, and we like to joke around a lot, so I thought it would be fun and refreshing if we came out as a unit,” MJ adds. “As a unit, we can show a different kind of music and colour that we couldn’t really present as a full group, and that’s why we decided to form this unit.”
The majority of DICE was co-written by JINJIN, which added a personal touch to ZOONIZINI’s debut.
MJ particularly praised “New World” as a highlight from the EP. The sentimental ballad has the pair singing and contemplating the future, giving the vibe of a song one would hear during the climax of a Disney film.
“It still carries that ASTRO feel,” MJ says. “The moment you hear it, I think it’ll make you feel relaxed and comfortable.”
JINJIN himself names “Utopia” as his personal favourite off DICE, which also happened to be the one song he did not take part in writing and composing. He adds that the disco-inspired song is the “perfect song” for hot summer days.
“The first time I heard it, I could instantly picture us just having fun on stage. It felt like putting on an outfit that suits us perfectly, so I have a lot of affection for ‘Utopia,’” JINJIN adds.
There’s a casual and down-to-earth vibe to MJ and JINJIN’s style of performing, different from ASTRO’s graceful, fluid and highly synchronized choreography often seen on tracks like “Again” and “Blue Flame.”
Instead, what the pair exudes on stage is joy, something MJ and JINJIN wanted to showcase to the fans during live performances on competition shows like Show Champion. Some might even say ZOONIZINI is giving off the carefree nature often seen in rookie groups experiencing the stage for the very first time.
“We eased up a lot on the choreography,” MJ says. “We wanted people watching ZOONIZINI’s stage to feel comfortable, so we tried to bring in the vibe of just friends hanging out.”
It’s refreshing to see a renewed sense of energy among K-pop veterans like JINJIN and MJ at this stage in their careers. But after a decade of performing together, it’s clear the next chapter will be marked by appreciating the joys of life, enjoying each other’s company and letting go of the past.
When asked about how they’d like ASTRO’s fans to embrace living freely on their own terms, JINJIN and MJ both hope DICE can be a reminder to slow things down and appreciate the small joys in life.
“At least for this time, I hope everyone can just relax and enjoy themselves to the fullest,” JINJIN says.
“I want AROHAs to fully embrace this moment, and I hope that through this album promotions, you can feel a little more relaxed and happy.”
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