by Rosa Gulliver

We were first introduced to the boys of CIX as fresh-faced rookies ready to take on the K-pop world in July 2019. Now, they’ve grown into bonafide stars. It’s been fascinating watching CIX evolve from talented trainees into the group they are today. Though their journey was fast-paced, it was never easy. Through dedication, passion, and perseverance, they overcame every obstacle and exceeded all expectations. They never lost sight of what mattered most: their fans and their music. CIX's story is a reminder that with hard work and perseverance, dreams do come true.

Pre-Debut: The Early Beginnings of CIX

The members of CIX were destined for stardom before they even debuted as a group. Let's find out a little more about the group members and understand why.

BX is a former YG Entertainment trainee who participated in the reality show “MIXNINE,” making it to the final lineup. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled before it's debut. BX was also a contestant on YG Treasure Box and made it to the finale, but did not make it into the final lineup. He subsequently joined C9 Entertainment as a trainee, and the rest is history!

Seunghun was a contestant on YG Treasure Box, appeared on the show “Under 19,” and gained attention for his dancing skills.

Yonghee was originally a trainee actor with C9 Entertainment. His interests changed, and he then became an idol trainee.

Bae Jinyoung acted in several dramas and was known as a "super rookie" actor before shifting his focus to music. He was the most familiar face to the public as he was a member of the popular project boy band Wanna One, an eleven-member group formed following the TV competition show “Produce 101 Season 2.” Other members of "Wanna One" include Daniel, Park Jihoon, Lee Daehwi (currently in AB6IX), Ha Sungwoon, Yoon Jisung, and Park Woojin (AB6IX), among others.

With each member coming from various entertainment backgrounds, CIX was destined to succeed. Their pre-debut experiences gained them valuable skills and popularity, allowing them to hit the ground running as soon as they debuted. The journey of CIX from debut to stardom was inevitable.

So Who Are CIX?

CIX (pronounced C-I-X) is a five-member K-pop boy group under C9 Entertainment.

BX (full name: Lee Byoung-gon) is the eldest member, leader, and main rapper.

Seunghun (full name: Kim Seung-hun) is the main vocalist.

Yonghee (full name: Kim Yong-hee) is the group's visual and vocalist.

Bae Jinyoung (full name: Bae Jin-young) is the lead dancer, vocalist, dancer, and face of the group.

Hyunsuk (full name: Yoon Hyun-suk) is the group's maknae, dancer, rapper, and vocalist.

The group is recognised for its impressive dance skills, visuals, and catchy music with an addictive beat. Their sound is youthful and energetic, and it embodies the passion of following your dreams.

They are by no means the biggest act in K-pop but are growing a global audience of dedicated fans, known as FIX.

Debut and Struggles: Releasing Their First Mini Album Hello, Stranger

In July 2019, CIX, which stands for Complete in X, meaning that the quintet is complete when the members come together, debuted with their first mini album, "HELLO Chapter 1: Hello, Stranger."

The lead single, "Movie Star," was a smooth, sleek, and seductive song that showcased the group's talents.

Fast Rise To Achieving Their First Music Show Win With "Movie Star"

Only six days after debuting, CIX achieved their first music show win on "The Show" with their title track, "Movie Star." This made them one of the fastest-winning K-pop acts, showing their rising success and popularity right from the start.

Their catchy pop sound, impressive vocals, and slick dance moves captivated fans instantly.

The strong promotion of their debut single album, "Hello Chapter 1: Hello, Stranger," on music shows and variety shows allowed them to gain exposure quickly.

The group's charismatic and talented members were able to showcase their abilities, gaining them a dedicated fan following known as "FIX".

From the moment they debuted, CIX was poised to rise to the top. Their first music show win was an indication of their greater success, and stardom was within their grasp.

The Path To Becoming Superstars

Shortly after promoting "Movie Star," CIX returned with their second mini album in November 2019, "HELLO Chapter 2: Hello, Strange Place." The lead single "Numb", tackled social issues among youth in South Korea, such as poor mental health, bullying, and the obsession with test results among students. The vocals and rapping were good, and the song lyrics added an extra layer of tension. CIX was making music with meaning and making their mark in the K-pop industry.

They were named "Rookie of the Year" at the 2019 Asia Artist Awards.

CIX continued its musical journey with the release of tracks like "Jungle" from their third album titled "HELLO Chapter 3: Hello, Strange Time," released in October 2020, and "Wave" from their first studio album, "OK’ Prologue : Be OK," released in August 2021. This proved CIX to be a multi-faceted group consisting of gifted performers.

Their fourth EP, "Hello Chapter Ø: Hello, Strange Dream," brought us "Cinema," a song very different from what we have heard from their repertoire of title tracks. This album took the No. 1 position on the Hanteo chart after recording weekly album sales of 19,759 copies within the first week.

Becoming Superstars, Releasing Their Sixth EP, "'OK' Episode 2: I'm OK,"

The boys are now well-respected 4th generation K-pop idols in South Korea and have gained international fame. In May 2023, CIX released their sixth EP, "'OK' Episode 2: I'm OK."

The EP centres on the theme of youth, the most beautiful and tragic time in young people's lives, and their discovery of finding their own colours after going through this period.

The lead track, "Save me, Kill me," is an emotional future bass single highlighting the members' vocal prowess and revolving around love and pain.

The album sold an impressive 132,784 copies during the first week of its release (May 30-June 5), according to sales tracker Hanteo.

The music video for "Save me, Kill me" has exceeded 10 million views on YouTube.

"OK' Episode 2: I'm OK" offers three other tracks: "Back to life," "Curtain Call," and "Color."

More Than Ready to Share Their Music Live With Their Fans

After years of training, releasing singles, and cancelling proposed dates due to increased COVID case numbers, CIX was finally ready to perform for FIX on their first concert tour.

Their "CIX 1st Concert "Rebel" in the U.S" started on April 27, 2022, where they performed in six cities.

Tickets sold quickly, showing the dedication of FIX.

CIX showed their growth and talent through exciting performances, vocals, and choreography.

Highlights included emotional performances of “Numb” and “Imagine.”

It was clear that the members were thrilled to connect with FIX and expressed their gratitude for the support they had received since their debut.

The success of their first tour demonstrated CIX’s potential for continued growth in South Korea and beyond. After years of dedication and hard work, CIX and FIX were finally able to come together to celebrate. These memorable meetings were the start of many more concert tours for CIX.

CIX was ready to take a bigger stage in Europe and the U.S. in 2023!

The quintet began its second world tour with a concert in Seoul and then travelled to Warsaw, London, Paris, and Berlin to meet with fans on their "CIX 2nd WORLD TOUR "Save me, Kill me" IN EUROPE."

The group subsequently crossed the Atlantic to begin its U.S. leg of the tour, which began on March 10 in New York and included stops in Redding, Washington, Chicago, Houston, Fort Worth, Tempe, Los Angeles, and Oakland.

Demand was so great that four extra dates were added, one performance in Monterrey, Mexico, followed by Hyogo, Japan, Tokyo on April 15, and finishing off in Bangkok on April 30.

CIX's Most Recognised Tracks

With countless fantastic tracks and brilliant albums, the members of CIX have perfected exceptional pop music and achieved impressive success on the charts.

Their debut EP, "Hello Chapter 1: Hello, Stranger’ peaked at number two on the Circle Music Chart. Their follow-up EP, "Hello Chapter 2: Hello Strange Place," reached number four.

Their most successful and widely known songs include “WAVE,” the lead single from their first studio album, “OK Prologue: Be OK,” released in August 2021. “Cinema,” the lead single of their fourth EP, "Hello Chapter Ø: Hello, Strange Dream," released in February 2021, and “Jungle,” the lead single from their third album, "HELLO Chapter 3: Hello, Strange Time," released in June 2020, reached the top 10, peaking at number eight.

With multiple hits and EPs in just two years, CIX has proven itself as rising K-pop stars. Their discography showcases a group finding their voice and on the cusp of even greater success. Each release builds on the last, demonstrating increasing artistry and musicality.

As CIX continues to grow, fans eagerly await the "Next Episode" that could catapult them into superstardom.

The Future Is Bright: What's Next for CIX?

The sky’s the limit as CIX continues to gain popularity and success, the possibilities for the future are endless. They've proven they have the talent, skills, and dedication to become one of the top K-pop groups.

CIX has built a devoted global fandom and frequently interacts with fans through live broadcasts, behind-the-scenes clips, and social media. They are grateful for their FIX's support and affectionately refer to them as their "home". In return, FIX ardently supports CIX's music and activities. This close-knit relationship with fans has been key to CIX's success and longevity.

CIX has developed a signature sound and style. Their music incorporates EDM, hip-hop, and pop elements with emotive lyrics focused on themes of love, relationships, and personal journeys. Visually, the members are known for their trendy style. On stage, they are captivating performers who showcase powerful dance skills and charisma.

Through dedication and hard work, CIX was able to find success quickly. CIX continues to grow in popularity in South Korea and beyond. Their journey from trainees to stars is an inspiration.

Much of the magnetism that CIX has showcased thus far is rooted in the intersection of their individualities. All the members had different roads within the Korean entertainment industry before debuting, survival shows, going from acting to singing, changing companies, you name it. Their first steps as a group consisted of finding harmony. It wasn’t an easy task, of course, but they managed to break through under the bright lights to encapsulate the meaning of their name: Complete In X.

The future remains unwritten for CIX, but one thing is sure, they have the drive and ability to reach new heights of success and continue their upward trajectory.

The Future

And that brings you up to speed on the journey of CIX from debut to stardom. These five talented young men have come a long way in a short time through hard work, dedication, and a passion for performing. Though their rise has been rapid, they stay grounded and continue improving their skills. Their catchy songs, impressive dance moves, and charming personalities have earned them a dedicated fan following around the world. With their charismatic personalities and trendy music style, CIX is poised to continue gaining popularity and success. Even with all their success, CIX remains humble and grateful for the opportunity to live out their dreams. The future looks bright for these superstars in the making. Stay tuned, there are surely more exciting adventures ahead for your favourite K-pop boyband.

The once-rookie group from a small agency has now achieved its goal of becoming K-pop stars. CIX's journey from debut to stardom serves as an inspiration. With their talent, work ethic, and FIX by their side, CIX will surely continue to shine brightly on the K-pop scene.