ZOONIZINI, ASTRO’s newly formed unit featuring MJ and JinJin, recently made their official debut with the mini album, ‘DICE.’
Released on August 13, ‘DICE‘ consists of six tracks: ‘Some Things Never Change,’ ‘New world,’ ‘Utopia,’ ‘Favorite Memory,’ ‘Starlight Voyage,’ and ‘Restart,’ all interconnected, taking listeners on an unpredictable journey, much like rolling dice. ZOONIZINI’s debut marks not just a celebration of ASTRO’s and, by virtue, MJ and JinJin’s decade-long journey, but also a leap into a future filled with fresh energy and creativity.
In an exclusive interview with Namaste Hallyu, ZOONIZINI opened up about their artistic vision for their first mini album, reflected on cherished memories that have shaped their music, and revealed the hopes they carry forward as a new unit.
Explaining the story behind their unique name and concept, MJ shared, “Originally, the unit name was going to be MJ&JinJin, but we wanted something with more impact, also easy for anyone to remember and say. That’s how “ZOONIZINI” was born.”
From the outset, the pair wanted ZOONIZINI to stand apart from ASTRO, both musically and conceptually. JinJin highlighted, “The biggest difference this time is that we really relaxed the choreography.”
I wanted people watching to feel more at ease, so this time I hoped the stage would feel fun and comfortable, and that’s the kind of reaction I wanted to hear.
– JinJin
This sense of authenticity and comfort also became the driving force behind ‘DICE’. Reflecting on the inspiration for the album, JinJin revealed, “MJ and I spent a lot of time thinking about how we could show our true colors. We decided to focus on showing ourselves as we really are, rather than a polished version. That’s why the main message of the album became ‘Let’s enjoy the moment, no matter where you are or who’s watching.’”
The duo carried this idea into their title track as well. Speaking about the nostalgic yet playful tone of the ‘Some Things Never Change’ music video, MJ remarked, “As we go through life, we naturally grow up and become more mature, but I hope that when people listen to this song or watch the music video, they can reconnect with their younger selves.” With JinJin contributing to both the lyrics and composition, the track carries a distinct touch, while MJ added, “I want it to be a song that lets you feel that you can still enjoy life like you did as a kid and find a bit of healing in that.”
Themes of memory, friendship, and shared connection continue with ‘Favorite Memory,’ a track rooted in their experiences with ASTRO. JinJin recalled, “I was inspired to write the lyrics for this song by the VCR from the ASTRO concert. I wrote it while thinking about our favorite memories, and I hope AROHAs can listen to it while recalling the moments they’ve shared with us, too.”
Right now, my favorite memory is the recent ASTRO concert. It had been such a long time since we performed together, so I think it was a really meaningful show both for us and for our fans.
– MJ
As the album shifts from nostalgia to new beginnings with ‘Restart,’ the members reflected on its significance, especially as they celebrate their 10th anniversary in the industry. MJ remarked, “Even though it’s been a long journey, I still have goals I want to achieve, so this song feels even more meaningful. That’s also why I approached this album with the mindset of a rookie again.”
‘Restart’ is about how this isn’t the end for us, but a ‘restart’ with a new story. Since it carries the excitement of a fresh start, it’s a song that holds a particularly special meaning for us.
– JinJin
That sense of starting over also connects to what they ultimately want fans to feel through ZOONIZINI’s music: unfiltered joy. At the heart of it all, the duo hopes their songs bring happiness to listeners. MJ expressed, “I hope you get to see how we have fun on stage. I want AROHA to enjoy with us as they watch us perform, and I hope that during the moment they’re listening to our music, they feel truly happy.”
Looking toward the future, JinJin reflected on their aspirations as a unit, sharing, “No matter which direction we grow, our goal is to be memorable in the end. I think just having more people know our music already means a lot.”
Building on that sentiment, MJ added a heartfelt message for Indian AROHAs, saying, “Just having your support gives us so much strength, so we hope you’ll continue watching over us for a long time. We’ll also work even harder to bring our performances directly to AROHA in India! Thank you!”
With ‘DICE,’ ZOONIZINI captures both the nostalgia of their past and the excitement of new beginnings. Each track reflects their playful spirit and heartfelt bond, inviting listeners to celebrate friendship, growth, and the beauty of life’s ever-changing moments.
Photo Credits: fantagio
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