Plus Magazine

Here is a group called ‘NINE to SIX’ that will specifically capture the struggles of working professionals. As the second unit of the group DKZ, leader JONGHYEONG and MINGYU have come together to form this unit, NINE to SIX. We all dream of a life where we start work at 9 and leave at 6, but it’s not easy for young professionals to enjoy this basic human right. NINE to SIX addresses this frustrating reality and confronts it head-on with their single album [NINE to SIX 1st Single Album ‘GOOD TO YOU’], specifically with the track ‘Don’t call me’. 

“Don’t force me to work overtime / I just want to live a life where I’m free on the evenings / Endless tasks / Just hire more people”  
 

Aren’t these expressions that everyone wants to scream out at least once? Moreover, they sing about the life of the MZ generation after work (‘Nod’) and love (‘Digital Love’), choosing to stand by our side. They have given birth to the term ‘office idols’ or ‘working idols’. NINE to SIX aims to gradually capture the hearts of the public by embracing the mundane daily life and declaring that they will captivate the audience as ‘their second bias rather than their first’. We had the opportunity to meet NINE to SIX for this mix package interview. 
 

You started your activities as a second unit, 'NINE to SIX,' within the group DKZ. I’d like to hear your thoughts first. 

JONGHYEONG : We used to promote our songs in music broadcasts as a whole, as DKZ, but now MINGYU and I are active as a unit. While preparing for our promotions and activities, there were times when I was slightly scared and nervous. We wondered how we could show  a different side from what we had already shown as a group, and how we could make our stage as a duo more captivating. However, the fact that we can show new aspects that we haven’t revealed to the public yet is exciting, and we spend each day with anticipation and excitement.

MINGYU, you joined DKZ in 2022, and after just over a year since debut, you are now continuing your activities in a different format as a unit. Did you feel any pressure?  
 

MINGYU : I’m really grateful for the opportunity to show the various sides of myself in such a short period of time. Previously, as a member of a larger group, my parts were not as extensive, so I focused more on specific aspects like dance and vocals. However, now that I have more parts that I need to pull off, I’m doing my own research on how I can present myself in a more stylish and beautiful way. (Laughs) JONGHYEONG and I have worked hard to ensure that the stage doesn’t look empty with just the two of us and receive comments such as ‘the unit is well composed’.

The unit name ‘NINE to SIX’ is quite intriguing. What does it mean?  
 

JONGHYEONG : The term ‘nine to six’ is a word commonly used by many office workers. It generally refers to the average commuting hours of regular office workers. (Laughs) Within this timeframe that office workers or the general public get to spend, there are frustrations and stresses they may unknowingly encounter, as well as prejudices they might face. Our unit name originated from the desire to eliminate such prejudices through various perspectives and help people forget about their challenging and frustrating moments.

Advantages of performing as a unit?

I heard that this is the first time performing as a unit for the both of you. If there are any advantages to performing as a unit, what would they be? 

MINGYU : Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is the ability to travel comfortably with more space while riding in the car! Hahaha. And now that I spend more time with our leader JONGHYEONG alone, we have more opportunities to get to know each other better. With more parts and time for expression, we have the chance to try out various musical styles and take on new challenges. For instance, we were able to try rapping this time.

On the contrary, I’m sure there must have been difficulties as well.

MINGYU : There were definitely many challenges. For our recent promotions, the level of choreography has significantly increased compared to before. As I mentioned earlier, I put a lot of effort into pulling off the dance performance when it was captured and shown on camera. Also, while I had the experience with rapping, it wasn’t a position I often took within the team. This time, I had the opportunity to rap more, but it made me doubt if I was really doing it well… It made me deeply contemplate whether I was heading in the right direction.  
 

I’d like to delve into discussion about your new release. In your first single album, [NINE to SIX 1st Single Album ‘GOOD TO YOU’], which was released on May 31, what message did you try to convey? 

JONGHYEONG : We made an effort to convey the stories of the MZ generation through this album. The first track, ‘Don’t Call Me’, focuses on the stories of office workers. In the second song, ‘Nod’, we depicted how the MZ generation seeks to find their true lives after work hours, or in other words, after leaving their office. The final track, ‘Digital Love’, represents the love of the MZ generation, whether it’s expressed through pressing ‘like’ on social media or contacting each other through DMs. It portrays the love that takes place in the digital world.

MINGYU, born in 2001, and JONGHYEONG, born in 2002, you are both part of the MZ generation. You’re telling the stories of your generation through music, but if you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what kind of lives do you think you would be living right now? 

MINGYU : I would have been a ‘vocal trainer’. As I pursued that field in university, my dream has always been to become a vocal trainer.

JONGHYEONG : Probably, I would have been fulfilling my military service obligation or focusing on my university studies. (Laughs) 
 

Please introduce the highlight of the title track ‘Don’t Call Me’, which contains the frustrations of work life. 

MINGYU : I think the most important line for office workers is “Please don’t call me right before I leave work”. I believe many people can relate to that.

JONGHYEONG : Can I sing a line from the song? “A life without working overtime / I want work-life balance / Of course, I want it / Leaving work on time, All day”!!

Just a moment! Can you sing a snippet of ‘Don’t Call Me’ live for the fans?

With the unit name ‘NINE to SIX’ closely related to office workers, you are directly addressing the challenges of work life in the title track. Are you both satisfied with this concept? 

JONGHYEONG : The biggest goal of this album was to imprint our group name itself. That’s why we expressed these messages directly through the lyrics and the dance. In the future, we want to showcase more diverse aspects of ourselves by incorporating everyday words, experiences, etc., as musical themes. For now, we are grateful that NINE to SIX ‘hasn’t been forgotten’ just like we intended.

MINGYU : I believe we have sympathized with a lot of people as we intended. We have actually received feedback such as ‘I can relate to it. It’s comforting.’ Hearing such comments makes me feel like we made the right choice with this concept.  
 

JONGHYEONG, you started your music career in 2019, and MINGYU, you started in 2022. In the meantime, you both participated in ‘ROAD TO MAX’ and released several singles. Looking back at your activities, could you each share a moment that you found most touching? 

JONGHYEONG : One of the most memorable moments for me was when we performed at the ‘MAMA AWARDS’ (hereinafter referred to as MAMA) after winning ROAD TO MAX. After finishing the performance and coming down from the stage with my fellow members, the lingering feeling… It was truly overwhelming. The emotions I felt were immense.

MINGYU : From the moment I debuted in 2022 until now, I feel like I have been continuously dreaming. Many people have sent me unexpected love and support, and now we have formed an irreplaceable team, a community. ‘MAMA’ was a great experience, and I also remember our first fan meeting at the beginning of the year. Although there were many challenging times, the moments of happiness outweighed them so it feels like I have been living a happy dream for over a year.

On the contrary, there must have been times when you were so exhausted you really wanted to ‘leave work’ just like the lyrics of ‘Don’t Call Me’. How do you usually relieve stress during those times? 

MINGYU : Honestly, preparing for this album was quite challenging for me. The choreography was difficult, and the genre of music was something I hadn’t experienced before, so there were many things I had to work on. That’s why I started a new hobby, exercising. When I’m working out, I don’t think about anything else but the workout itself, and it feels really good.

JONGHYEONG : I enjoy reading books while listening to music. (When asked about his current favorite song) I’ve been listening to ‘Forest’ by Choi Yu-ree a lot. (Laughs)

As of this interview, it’s been just three weeks since your debut, and I’m sure you have goals that you want to achieve through NINE to SIX.

JONGHYEONG : I definitely want to experience personal growth and development. That’s something I want to take away as a basic goal. As a starting unit, the goal for our first album is to become a group that connects with the public and continues to be sought after. I feel like we have conveyed to the public that there is a group called NINE to SIX and that it consists of JONGHYEONG and MINGYU. I hope we don’t get forgotten.

MINGYU : NINE to SIX, a group that won’t be forgotten! Whenever people feel stressed or face difficult situations, whether at work or in other aspects of life, our goal is for them to naturally play our song ‘Don’t Call Me’! Hahaha.'

Finally, could you say a few words to ARI, who will be watching this interview? What is ARI to JONGHYEONG and MINGYU? 
 

JONGHYEONG : I believe that without ARI, there would be no DKZ or NINE to SIX. It’s because of your support and love that we can continue to see you. I will strive to give back even more than what we receive from ARI. (When asked to express the meaning of ARI in one word) For me, it would be ‘books’. I often relieve stress through music and books, but lately, I’ve been finding more strength in books. (Laughs)

MINGYU : ARI is the reason I can pursue this career and make music. They are my driving force. I’m working harder every day because I want to show ARI a better version of myself, my growth and other aspects of myself. When I’m  tired, ARI comforts me. ARI is an essential presence in my life. (If you could express the meaning of ARI in one word?) For me, it would be ‘vitamin’. I take it every morning and gain strength from it. ARI is an irreplaceable existence. 

| Written by Park soojin (Editor for the music webzine IZM) 
| Planning and Production : Choi Jihye, Jung sumin 
| Design : Baek Garam