EPEX's 'So Nice' Collaboration with joan: A Spring Romance That Has Fans Swooning

The Unexpected Collaboration That's Taking Over Spring Playlists

In an exciting musical development, K-pop boy group EPEX has joined forces with American synth-pop duo joan for their first digital single of 2025, aptly titled 'So Nice.' Released on May 6th, this collaboration marks several firsts for EPEX - their debut release of 2025 and their first English-language track. The cheerful spring song has been gaining attention for its sweet tones and romantic lyrics that perfectly capture the fluttering emotions of being with someone special.

This isn't EPEX's first international collaboration, as they previously worked with Japanese boy group FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE on a single called 'Peppermint Yum' last year. However, this partnership with joan represents their first venture with Western artists, expanding their musical horizons and potentially introducing them to new audiences worldwide.

Behind the Music: The Making of 'So Nice'

The collaboration between EPEX and joan came as a surprise to many fans, as joan isn't necessarily a mainstream name in the global pop scene. The American duo, known for their retro synth-pop style, produced 'So Nice' as a follow-up to their 2021 hit 'So Good.' The song brings together the vibrant musical styles of both acts, resulting in an upbeat, feel-good track perfect for the spring season.

KEUM, a member of EPEX, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating: 'It was a meaningful experience for us as we received positive stimulus and created musical connections while working with joan. 'So nice' expresses the fluttering and exciting emotions when spending time with a loved one, and I constantly thought of our fans, ZENITH, when we were working on the track.' This heartfelt statement reveals how the group approached this collaboration with their dedicated fanbase in mind.

Diving Into the Lyrics and Sound

The song 'So Nice' is a light, bouncy track that explores the emotional depth of romantic connection. With heartfelt expressions like 'When I hold your hand, stars align,' the lyrics paint a picture of that wonderful feeling when you're with someone who makes everything better. The track maintains a cheerful, upbeat tempo throughout, making it perfect for the spring season.

Musically, 'So Nice' features joan's signature synth-pop sound blended with EPEX's polished vocal performances. The production is clean and bright, with a danceable beat that doesn't overwhelm the sweet vocal delivery. While some critics have described the song as 'pleasant' rather than groundbreaking, its easy-listening quality makes it a perfect addition to spring and summer playlists. The track was composed, arranged, and written by Steven Rutherford and Alan Benjamin Thomas, showcasing the American duo's involvement in all aspects of the song's creation.

The Visual Story: 'So Nice' Music Video

The music video for 'So Nice' was released through 1theK's YouTube channel on May 6th, 2025, the same day as the single's release. Before the official music video, a second teaser was released on May 1st, building anticipation among fans. The colorful visual presentation complements the song's bright, cheerful energy.

In the music video, EPEX and joan create a vibrant atmosphere that matches the song's romantic theme. The visual aesthetics emphasize the springtime feeling with bright colors and sunny settings. While the full details of the music video production aren't extensively documented in available sources, the collaboration clearly involved significant coordination between the K-pop group and American duo, likely requiring international travel for filming. The effort put into creating this cross-cultural project demonstrates both acts' commitment to delivering quality content to their fans.

Critical Reception and Fan Reactions

The reception to 'So Nice' has been generally positive, though some music critics have noted that the song plays it safe rather than pushing boundaries. Nick from TheBiasList gave the song a 7.25 out of 10 rating, breaking it down with scores of 7 for hooks, 8 for production, 7 for longevity, and 7 for bias. In his review, he described the song as 'nice' but questioned why the collaboration didn't aim for something more daring or memorable.

Fan reactions have been more enthusiastic, particularly from those who were already familiar with both acts. One commenter mentioned being a joan fan who had even attended their concert but was unfamiliar with EPEX, noting: 'It's fascinating that joan didn't just write and gift the song to the group but decided to do a collaboration. Never thought my indie pop and kpop worlds would cross paths.' Another fan who was familiar with joan's music commented that the song comes across as EPEX featuring on a joan track, highlighting how the American duo's musical style remains prominent in the collaboration.

EPEX's Growing International Presence

This collaboration with joan represents another step in EPEX's growing international presence. Since their debut, the group has been steadily building their global fanbase, and partnerships like this help introduce them to new audiences who might not typically engage with K-pop content. The decision to release their first English-language track shows a strategic move toward international market expansion.

For many Western fans discovering EPEX through this collaboration, the group's previous work might be entirely new. EPEX (which stands for Eight Apex) consists of members WISH, Keum Donghyun, MU, A-Min, Baekseung, Ayden, Yewang, and Jeff. Their collaboration with joan introduces their talents to joan's existing fanbase, potentially creating new ZENITH members (EPEX's official fandom name) in the process.

As K-pop continues to gain global recognition, these types of cross-cultural collaborations become increasingly important for groups looking to establish themselves internationally. EPEX's willingness to explore new musical partnerships demonstrates their adaptability and openness to diverse influences.

What's Next for EPEX and joan

As 'So Nice' continues to gain traction, fans are curious about what's next for both EPEX and joan. For EPEX, this English single could potentially lead to more international collaborations or English-language releases. The positive reception might encourage their agency to pursue similar projects in the future, further expanding their global reach.

For joan, this collaboration introduces their music to K-pop fans who might not have encountered their work before. The American duo's retro synth-pop style complements current trends in K-pop, making this partnership a natural fit despite seeming unexpected at first glance.

Whether EPEX and joan will collaborate again remains to be seen, but 'So Nice' has certainly created a memorable moment for fans of both acts. As streaming numbers continue to grow and more listeners discover the track, it will be interesting to see how this collaboration influences both artists' future directions.