CIX Reaches Paradise on New Project, ‘OK’ Episode 2: I’m OK
This time last year, K-pop quintet CIX left with a warning message: "I can't escape. Please hold me. I'm drowning in love," they sang in Korean, uncertain if they'd make it through the storm but unapologetically diving in, untroubled by its dangers. After all, that's what young love is about—taking the risk.
In the latest episode, I'm OK, CIX unveils the tragic fate of this heated fling: it was once heaven, but now a toxic wasteland ("Save me, Kill me"). But this failure, as they tell on the project's closing track, "Color," was simply the "cruel law of youth."
Below, CIX sink deeper into OK series. Continue scrolling to see what they shared about the newest episode's further connection to Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, their latest Story Film and their goals for the end of the year.
Sweety High: How does the second episode, I'm OK, add to the previous episodes, Be OK and OK Not?
SEUNGHUN: Be OK is the prologue of the OK series, which deals with the keywords "youth," "sin" and "salvation."
'OK' Episode 1: OK Not was an album that expressed the mature self through emotions such as pain, desire, patience and emptiness derived from the emotion love, and it contained the agony of finding the essence of love.
'OK' Episode 2: I'm OK is an album that contains the stories of youth, from wanderlust to pain, hope and praise. The OK series can be related to the general keyword "youth," and our latest album is the final story of the OK series.
(Photo Credit: C9 Entertainment)
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SH: There are 10 episodes in the I'm OK Story Film. Do you have an episode that feels most meaningful to you? Which one was the most difficult for you to film?
BAE JINYOUNG: Each episode has so much meaning that it is difficult to pinpoint one. If you pay attention to the message we want to convey in each episode, you will enjoy watching it more.
While filming, there were many scenes where I had to capture emotions well, which was the main challenge. However, there were no episodes that were too difficult to act.
YONGHEE: There were some difficult parts to act, but I focused on filming by immersing myself in the character to convey their emotions. I put a lot of thought into which part to emphasize most, how to use facial expressions and monitoring my acting. I genuinely wanted to express and share emotions with those who watch the episodes.
All the episodes are precious and closely connected, so we would appreciate it if you could pay attention to each one.
SH: CIX has long been connected to Dante's The Divine Comedy. What are the elements of this project that continue to tie into the famous narrative poem?
BX: Our universe depicts various stories of the ordinary lives of the contemporary youth through the process of going to hell, purgatory and, finally, heaven. Our latest album unravels the story of the members who went through purgatory and reached heaven.
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SH: Earlier this year, you embarked on your second world tour. How was that experience? How did it differ from your first one?
SEUNGHUN: We have grown up a notch with our vocals and performances. We were able to show our fans our improved image.
We are so grateful that FIXs who waited for us, even from afar. We tried our best to enjoy every moment. It was a happy tour, and we made precious memories with our fans.
HYUNSUK: We began with a more relaxed feeling. We enjoyed the stage more than ever, and it was joyful because the audience did, too. If we have another opportunity, we want to meet international FIXs again.
(Photo Credit: C9 Entertainment)
SH: What else are you looking forward to in 2023?
SEUNGHUN: We want to spend the end of this year a little busier. We want to participate in various performances, including the awards ceremonies at the end of the year, and we will work harder to do so.
BAE JINYOUNG: We hope our members, FIX and company staff all spend the rest of the year happy and healthy. You may be busy, but we hope you have spare time to look up at the sky during the rest of the year.
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SH: What would you say to any fans who've been saved by CIX and your music?
BX: We hope for your happy youth through our music. We hope our music will give you comfort and strength every moment, whether you're going through a difficult or happy time.
YONGHEE: Just like our fans are always by our side, we want our fans to know that CIX is always by their side. We will always be your strength. We love you.
(Photo Credit: C9 Entertainment)
SH: Is there anything else you want to share?
BX: Thank you so much to the fans who always give us a lot of love, and we'll show you more diverse and growing sides of us in the future! We'll go and see our fans all over the world soon. Let's all stay healthy until the day we meet again. We love you!
HYUNSUK: FIX! Thank you so much for your great support during this promotion, and let's keep going together in the future. Don't forget: always be healthy. We love you!
Curious about our other favorite K-pop stars? Read HERE to discover what rookie group LUN8 had to say about their debut album, CONTINUE?