CIX has never been a group to shy away from reinvention. This time, they return to the spotlight as four, standing tall and ready to write a new chapter in their story. Their latest mini-album marks not just a comeback, but a statement—one that balances vulnerability and strength, emotion and energy, past and future.
At the heart of the release is “THUNDER,” a track that feels like a jolt to the senses. Here, love isn’t soft or predictable; it’s electric, confusing, overwhelming—much like the thunder and lightning the song evokes. The production crackles with tension, wrapping the listener in layers of sound that mirror the chaos and intensity of raw feelings. It’s CIX at their most dynamic, unafraid to explore the turbulence beneath the surface.
Alongside “THUNDER,” fans will find familiar titles like “Lovers or Enemies” and “My name is shadow,” songs that left an impression when first released last year. Whether they’ve been reimagined for this new era or kept in their original form, they seamlessly connect the group’s journey so far to the fresh energy of the present. Three new tracks complete the mini-album, each one contributing to a soundscape that feels both cohesive and daring.
Since their debut in 2019 under C9 Entertainment, CIX—BX, Seunghun, Hyunsuk, Yonghee, and Bae Jinyoung—have built a name for themselves through precision, passion, and an undeniable ability to evolve. Even after recent lineup changes, they continue to move forward with clarity and purpose, never losing sight of what makes them unique.
This comeback is more than music—it’s proof that transformation, when embraced, can become a group’s greatest strength.
Panorama.it had the chance to sit down with them for an interview.
This is your first comeback as a four-member group. How does the dynamic within the group feel different this time around?
YONGHEE: We live together, and we are like a family. Since the preparation time for this album was longer than usual, we had more opportunities to share each other’s thoughts and discuss them, which strengthened our bond.
HYUNSUK: This album’s preparation period allowed us to have more meaningful conversations with each other. By clarifying our goals as a group, our bond has become stronger.
Can you share the inspiration behind the title track “THUNDER”? How does it capture the essence of the album?
BX: First of all, the song “THUNDER” is an electro-pop track that strongly stimulates the mind, expressing love by comparing it to natural phenomena such as thunder and lightning. As you might guess from the album title, THUNDER FEVER, the song encapsulates the complex state of mixed emotions in CIX’s unique style. The title track “THUNDER” represents the essence of the album.
The track THUNDER conveys the intensity of love through natural phenomena. How did you approach conveying this in both the music and visuals?
SEUNGHUN: The music video opens up by gazing at the sky with thunder and lightning, which symbolizes the emotional change of the narrator. It might seem like a simple, one-dimensional expression, but I personally really liked it, as I thought it effectively conveyed both the album and the concept of the title track, even for those unfamiliar with it.
HYUNSUK: We incorporated keywords like lightning, thunder, and fever not only in the music but also in elements like hair and makeup. I thought it might be difficult to express them, but it turned out to be very cool and trendy. I was very satisfied!
With “Lovers or Enemies” and “My Name is Shadow” included on the album, did you approach these tracks differently for THUNDER FEVER compared to their previous releases?
YONGHEE: As we aimed to capture CIX’s uniqueness in this album, we worked to maintain the mood of the original tracks while also highlighting our personal strengths and styles during the recording process.
BX: Expressing strong, stimulating emotions of love, I viewed this song as a refreshing change from the previous tracks. While recording, I considered how I could blend better with the other members’ parts and excitingly express the song. It was an enjoyable process.
What’s the story or message you want fans to take away from THUNDER FEVER as a whole?
HYUNSUK: Through this album, I hope our fans can realize that CIX is continuously growing without limits and feel our determination and ambition to establish ourselves as artists with unique identities, capable of performing diverse genres and concepts.
How do the three new tracks on the album compare to your previous work? Can you share more about them?
SEUNGHUN: CIX’s essence is deeply embedded in both the new and previous tracks. What sets this album apart is the expanded range of genres we can explore. Additionally, the title track is an incredibly energetic song, unlike anything we’ve done before.
YONGHEE: If you look at the songs from multiple perspectives, you might find that both “THUNDER” and “Bad Moves” feel similar to our past tracks in some ways, while also feeling completely different from others. “THUNDER” is such an impactful song that it could easily get stuck in your head. It might be one of our most addictive tracks so far. I think “Bad Moves,” with its high notes and sexy vibe, has allowed CIX to grow both musically and conceptually. “My Everlasting Sun” might sound similar to our previous ballads, but you may notice a deeper emotional layer in the music as we grew one year older. Overall, I believe our music has matured compared to our previous albums.
The concept of “confused emotions and intense stimulation” is unique. What was the creative process like in bringing that concept to life through music?
BX: We also thought it was an interesting keyword. We paid special attention to it as we wanted to incorporate it effectively into our album, and we discussed it a lot with our company and with each other. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we were able to showcase the concept we wanted in every aspect, from the jacket photos to the music video. I’m very satisfied and proud of this fun album, to the point that I forget how challenging the preparation process was.
YONGHEE: Since I typically don’t experience dramatic emotional shifts, I felt the need to express emotions I had never felt before. I spent a lot of time studying the lyrics, trying to understand the meanings behind each line as I recorded, thinking, “Maybe I can express this emotion in this way.” I also explored new facial expressions while imagining lightning and fever. This album has been a valuable learning experience for me in many ways.
“THUNDER” creates a dynamic and energetic atmosphere. What elements of the track were you most excited to showcase in the music video?
HYUNSUK: If you watch the music video, you might notice that there are many more CGI elements compared to our previous videos. We aimed to represent the mixed emotions and chaotic feelings through swirling clouds in a gloomy sky, tornadoes, and various backgrounds, such as changing roads and buildings.
How did the group prepare for this comeback after the transition to a four-member lineup? Did you have to adjust your approach to anything creatively or musically?
SEUNGHUN: We always try our best in everything as artists, and we prepared this album just as carefully. Above all, we wanted to give our fans, who have believed in us and waited for us, a sense of relief and excitement through this album, which made us prepare with even more enthusiasm.
BX: Preparing for this comeback was very fun as we talked a lot among ourselves! CIX is always sincere when it comes to music and performance, and we strive to get the best out of ourselves. After our bonds grew stronger, I definitely felt the warmth and liveliness positively influencing our music. I think the first memory that comes to mind when I think of this album is how much fun we had together, which proves how great the preparation process was.
Out of the new tracks, is there one you feel the most connected to? What makes it stand out for you?
HYUNSUK: The song that resonates with me the most is “My Everlasting Sun.” From the moment I first heard it, I knew that both the melody and the lyrics were to my taste.
BX: Rather than selecting a song I connected to the most, I want to share my favorite song, which was the title track, “THUNDER.” Because it has been a while since our last album, we were all very eager to show our fans a more polished and mature version of ourselves. The song and performance were so impressive that they immediately captured everyone’s hearts. I couldn’t wait to share it with our fans.
How do you feel your sound has evolved over time, especially in this new album, compared to your earlier releases?
SEUNGHUN: From now on, I believe we can confidently say that CIX’s songs have a unique color of our own. I’m sure that listeners would agree with that as well.
YONGHEE: I feel that our voices blend better than before. Beyond just the simple harmony of sounds, I believe it’s a blend that comes from truly knowing and understanding each other, and I am proud of that.
With this energetic comeback, is there a specific moment or memory during the recording process that stands out to you?
SEUNGHUN: It was meaningful and exciting to shoot our music video abroad for the first time! There were a lot of scenes filmed on the streets rather than in a studio, which made it more fun than usual. With the outdoor filming, there were unexpected challenges. However, with the support of many staff members and kind locals, we were able to produce an impressive music video. I am always grateful for all the help we receive!
The album explores love and emotions. Do you find it easy to connect with these themes when working on music, or is it a more challenging process?
YONGHEE: I usually feel most comfortable when I can express the emotions I’ve already experienced in my music. However, for this album, I had to convey extreme emotional changes that I hadn’t experienced, which was challenging. Therefore, I made an effort to indirectly experience those emotions through a lot of research.
BX: I think it’s really difficult to empathize with various emotions and express them in a work. For me, I often watch movies or dramas with similar situations or concepts and try to feel the emotions of the main character. Based on what I saw and felt, I then can try to connect with those emotions.
When you’re not working on music, what activities do you enjoy doing together as a group or individually to relax and have fun?
HYUNSUK: I tend to spend my time recharging both my body and mind. For example, I sleep until I feel fully rested, or I exercise, play games, or read books to relax.
SEUNGHUN: On my days off, I spend the entire day solely focusing on soccer!
To each member: If you could describe yourself in just one word, what would it be?
BX: Brightness
SEUNGHUN: THUNDER
YONGHEE: Peace
HYUNSUK: Ocean