Age is just a number, and your “prime time” can happen whenever you choose. Former K-pop girl group Miss A member and star of the Broadway musical ‘KPOP,’ MIN, is living proof of this.
On MIN’s birthday, June 21st, she showcased a new era of herself and debuted her solo EP, PRIME TIME. The solo debut was celebrated by friends, family, and fans at her solo-release party held at Racket NYC.
GA and VIP fans slowly trickled in, buzzing with excitement. Ticket holders received a foam light stick, a raffle ticket, and a drink ticket, allowing those of age to enjoy a complimentary drink inspired by one of the PRIME TIME tracks. These extra goodies set the mood for the night, keeping the energy high at all times.
PRIME TIME is a culmination of four tracks: “PRIME TIME (Feat. Lil Cherry)”, “SHIMMY (Skip)”, “M.A.W.,“ and “HAPPY PLANT (A Call from Grandma)”.
Each track would be given its own moment to shine at some point of the night.
Hosts Chris and Chantel from CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show Podcast kicked off the evening, keeping the crowd focused and engaged as they introduced MIN.
“SHIMMY (Skip),” an energetic pop track reminiscent of the early 2000s and second on the album’s tracklist, kicked off the night. The stage filled with dancers as MIN stepped out, ready to command the crowd. MIN had the entire audience singing along to the chorus, its melodic repetition infectious as everyone chanted, “영심이 심이심이 영심이,” or “Yeongsimi simisimi yeongsimi,” a playful twist on the track’s title, “SHIMMY.” This opening track was fitting not only for its energy but also as a reminder to the audience that she’s still young, and her age doesn’t define her prime. Despite facing a lot of criticism and “shade,” she’s determined to shake it off and keep going strong.
Chris and Chantel kept the crowd entertained during intermissions, giving MIN time for costume changes. They interacted with fans, held raffles for merchandise, and showed never before seen behind-the-scenes footage.
MIN returned to the stage alone to perform the third track of her album, “M.A.W.,” an acronym for “might as well” as mentioned in the song’s opening line. This song embodies the essence of summer, starting with light whistles and blending influences from lo-fi, R&B, and pop. It’s a heartfelt love song that invites a second chance after past experiences, encouraging both parties to take a leap forward together.
The fourth track “HAPPY PLANT (A Call from Grandma)” is not an actual song, but a recorded conversation between MIN and her grandma. During the call, her grandma reveals that a seldom-blooming plant at her home has unexpectedly flowered. She interprets this as a sign of good fortune and expresses her desire to pass this luck on to her granddaughter. With this debut, MIN has embraced her grandmother’s wish for good luck and shared a new side of herself with the audience, fans, and friends. The track is a touching end to the album and shows all the love and care poured into each selected track.
Concluding the night, MIN performed “PRIME TIME,” the album’s opening track featuring rapper Lil Cherry. Despite Lil Cherry’s absence, MIN’s commanding stage presence, strong choreography, and powerful vocals captivated the audience. Ending with this track brought the set list full circle, emphasizing that her prime time is now. The energy and passion she poured into her final performance left no doubt about her current prime.
Extending the celebration, MIN delighted fans with a solo performance of Miss A’s debut track, “Bad Girl, Good Girl,” causing the crowd to erupt with excitement and sing along passionately. As a final surprise, MIN’s friends and family who couldn’t attend celebrated her with a heartfelt video. MJ, founder of I Love Dance and MONSTAR, brought out a cake while fans sang “Happy Birthday” to MIN, who blew out a virtual candle on a phone screen.
Throughout each moment, fans could see how grateful and excited MIN was to debut this new project and reveal this new side of herself. After stepping off the stage, she joined the crowd, chatted with fans, took pictures, and personally thanked as many as she could for attending. Her resilience and work ethic were evident throughout the showcase, demonstrating how much her journey has allowed her to grow into the artist she is today. A huge shout out needs to be extended to Moonlight PR, MONSTAR Entertainment, and the hosts Chris and Chantel from CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show Podcast for hosting an amazing album release event and assisting MIN through her album process. PRIME TIME perfectly encapsulates her emotions as she enters this new era, leaving fans eager to witness the next chapter in her story.
