Music Review: From ASTRO to ZOONIZINI: JINJIN & MJ Prove Some Things Never Change with ‘DICE’
- KD Rossly
- Aug 17
- 4 min read
When two of ASTRO’s bright stars collide, the result isn’t an explosion — it’s a spark that lights up a whole new universe. Enter ZOONIZINI, the newly-formed unit of MJ and JINJIN, who mark ASTRO’s 10th anniversary by rolling the dice on a fresh chapter together.
Their first mini album, DICE, spotlights their individual strengths — MJ’s starry vocals and JINJIN’s effortless flow. This sub-unit doubles down on their chemistry, their history, and their playful refusal to fit inside any box. The lead single “Some Things Never Change” sets the tone: an energetic yet nostalgic hip-hop track that captures the duo’s unshakable bond and invites listeners to join in on the ride down memory lane. With this release, ZOONIZINI isn’t just reminiscing on the past ten years. Nope, they're proving that the best dice rolls are the ones you never see coming.
ZOONIZINI: When Fate Rolls the DICE, It Spells Friendship
Celebrating 10 years of ASTRO this year, JINJIN and MJ teamed up for the coolest, quirkiest duo we never knew we needed, but now can't live without. We don't even have to roll the dice to guess that it would land on an outrageously fun-filled music video that flawlessly mirrors the lovable personalities of ZOONIZINI.
Released on August 13, 2025, DICE's title track “Some Things Never Change” has already raked in nearly 200,0000 views on YouTube, and counting. Living up to the title of the song, the duo sings a playful ode to the earlier days of their youth and how some things (like this astronomic friendship!) never change.
The lyrics: “Same thoughts so we act the same. 놀 때면 (translated to “When we play”) No time to sleep. 너무 웃어 (translated to “Laugh so hard”) Cannot breathe. Some things never change” paint nostalgia in a happy light that might make you laugh until you cry...rather than cry until you laugh, which is, honestly, what most of us do when we find ourselves walking down memory lane!
The music video is as much a visual treat as the lyrics are, featuring MJ and JINJIN in the midst of a chaotic moving day. Boxes stacked to the ceiling, clothes strewn everywhere, and charming dance breaks that are mandatory when packing your bags to move to a new house. Can we interpret this as moving to a new chapter in life? Kind of like ASTRO's 10-year mark in the entertainment industry?
Suitcases of Youth and the Mess We Move With
Frankly speaking, the most relatable aspect of the "Some Things Never Change" MV is the utter pandemonium that we create during moving day. From realizing we have way much more stuff than we realized to getting distracted by a photo album from 10 years ago, the cute mess and chaotic energy in the music video could easily be a metaphor for all the wonderful things we collect as we grow up. It proceeds to show us how we pack them up in our hearts when we move on to new chapters, and how —as the MV so perfectly depicted—sometimes not everything fits in a suitcase...unless we violently sit on it to force it closed. Honestly, it’s also proof that not everything needs letting go. Some things, like old plushies and friendships, only grow golden with time.
"Now, I stand right here today, guided by our yesterdays." THIS. This is our personal favorite lyric from "Some Things Never Change." Who hasn't looked back on their lives and smiled at the challenges they overcame? ASTRO has been a shining constellation in the K-Pop industry for a decade now, and AROHAs have seen the 6-strong band rise through the sea of talent and claim their spot in one of the most competitive industries on the planet. Moreover commemorating ten years as a K-Pop band, ASTRO is waving a flag for ten years of friendship, and "Some Things Never Change" is such a perfect way to do it.
Beyond its title track, DICE deals out a winning hand of six more songs that showcase ZOONIZINI’s range and storytelling. “New World” pulls listeners into a mysterious realm, while “Utopia” spins funky beats with sleek disco flair. “Favorite Memory” slows the pace with tender reflections on friendships past, and “Starlight Voyage” lifts off with bright pop-rock energy. Rounding it all out, “Restart” captures the thrill of fresh beginnings, proving that every roll of the dice can open a brand new chapter.
With DICE, JINJIN and MJ remind us that no matter how much we grow or where we go, some things never change...and thank goodness for that.
YOUR NEXT READ: Single Review: ASTRO’s Yoon San-Ha Conquers the City in Iconic ‘Extra Virgin’ Music Video
SOURCE: FANTAGIO PRESS RELEASE
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