What is DOXA? The Hidden Meaning Behind SECRET NUMBER's Powerful Comeback

What does "Doxa" truly mean, and why did SECRET NUMBER choose this powerful title for their comeback? On May 24, 2023, SECRET NUMBER released their sixth single album "Doxa" following an exciting teaser video posted by Vine Entertainment earlier that month.

This captivating comeback features the title track "Doxa" along with its mesmerizing music video that showcases the group's evolution. The secret number doxa album explores intense themes, particularly evident in lyrics like "Your love is just like a Poison". Furthermore, the group delivered compelling performances of their new release, with their stage on KBS WORLD TV airing shortly after on May 26, 2023.

The comeback story behind 'DOXA'

SECRET NUMBER's return after 'Tap'

SECRET NUMBER made a striking return with "DOXA" in May 2023, marking their first Korean comeback since "TAP" was released in November 2022. Unlike their previous title track which featured more lyrical and melodic sounds, "DOXA" presented a significant evolution in the group's musical direction. The new single showcased a more intense and impactful concept, beginning with powerful brass instrumentation that immediately captures listeners' attention.

Dita from the group noted that "DOXA" represented their most powerful concept challenge yet, essentially marking a more mature artistic direction for the group. This comeback also coincided with SECRET NUMBER's third anniversary since debut, making it an especially meaningful release for both the members and their fans.

Teaser releases and fan anticipation

Fan excitement began building on May 9, 2023, when Vine Entertainment posted a spoiler video announcing the upcoming comeback. Subsequently, the group released a series of individual teaser images featuring the members in striking visuals that hinted at the new concept.

The final teaser before release day was an alluring group photo with futuristic styling, heightening anticipation among fans. Meanwhile, the music video teaser revealed glimpses of the members with intense gazes and an upbeat snippet of the song, effectively building momentum for the full release.

The meaning of the title 'DOXA'

"DOXA" (독사) translates to "poisonous snake" in Korean, a title that was carefully chosen to represent the song's core theme. The symbolism primarily serves as a metaphor for a toxic relationship—one that cycles endlessly between breakups and reconciliations.

When writing the lyrics, Jinny explained that she elaborated on the poison theme by incorporating the comparison to a venomous snake, using "DOXA" to represent the extreme tension between lovers caught in a complicated relationship. The song describes being irresistibly drawn to a harmful love, despite knowing its poisonous nature.

Breaking down the 'DOXA' album

SECRET NUMBER's sixth single album "DOXA" dropped on May 24, 2023, offering fans a compact but potent musical experience. The physical album package includes a CD, a 20-page photobook, an accordion postcard, and two random photocards out of twelve possible types.

Tracklist overview: 'DOXA' and 'Beautiful One'

The album contains just two tracks that present contrasting themes. The title track "DOXA" runs for 3:05 minutes and explores the concept of a poisonous relationship. In contrast, "Beautiful One" spans 3:09 minutes and serves as the group's first-ever fan song, created specifically to commemorate their third anniversary. As Jinny explained, "We thought that it was a really perfect combination" to have these opposing themes of toxic love and fan appreciation in one album.

Production team and contributors

Both tracks feature impressive collaborative efforts. "Beautiful One" credits several composers including HOW (HIGHBRID), OSKAR (HIGHBRID), SIROO (HIGHBRID), Bang Geon Ju, Jang Young Soo, and Hanif Hitmanic Sabzevari. JinHee contributed to the lyrics, while Jinny herself added a special rap verse to transform it into a dedicated fan song.

Where to stream the album

Fans can access "DOXA" on multiple platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The album's release counted toward HANTEO, CIRCLE (GAON), and BILLBOARD Charts, demonstrating its commercial significance in the K-pop market.

Understanding the lyrics of 'DOXA'

The lyrics of "DOXA" delve deep into the metaphorical representation of love as a dangerous substance—both alluring and harmful. The term "DOXA" itself represents a poisonous snake in Korean, serving as the perfect metaphor for the song's central theme.

Themes of love, danger, and obsession

At its core, "DOXA" explores a toxic relationship characterized by an endless cycle of separation and reconciliation. Dita explained that the song compares this dynamic to "a toxic relationship... knowing that it is not good for you, but you just can't help it". Soodam added that it portrays being "addicted to a very toxic love, more toxic than poison itself".

Key lines from the Korean lyrics

The Korean lyrics powerfully convey this toxic addiction through lines like "독보다 더 독한 lo, lo-lo-lo-love" (More toxic than poison love). Furthermore, the recurring phrase "넌 마치 beautiful monster" (You're like a beautiful monster) emphasizes the paradoxical nature of this harmful attraction.

Romanized and English lyric highlights

In the chorus, the repeated refrain "Your love is just like a poison" anchors the song's message. Additionally, the romanized line "Domangchiryeo halsurok wiheomhae" translates to "The more I try to run away, the more dangerous it gets", perfectly capturing the addictive cycle.

How the lyrics reflect the group's evolution

Jinny noted that "DOXA" represents a more "conceptual and mature" direction than their previous title "TAP". The song's "intense brass sound" and "impactful" lyrics showcase SECRET NUMBER's artistic growth and willingness to explore deeper emotional territory.

Visuals and performance in the 'DOXA' MV

The visual presentation of "DOXA" showcases a dramatic shift in SECRET NUMBER's artistic identity. The music video features a dark, seductive concept with elements that perfectly complement the song's theme of toxic love.

Concept and styling in the music video

SECRET NUMBER embraced a much darker aesthetic for "DOXA," featuring edgy visuals that include symbolic poison imagery, mysterious dolls, and striking costume designs. The members displayed impressive acting skills while embodying these darker characters. Remarkably, the production involved significant challenges—filming lasted over 24 hours with the sun rising as they completed scenes. During one particularly difficult sequence, Dita revealed, "It was 2 or 3 AM when we shot the fireworks scene... every time the fireworks hit our skin, it stings".

Choreography and stage presence

The choreography underwent multiple revisions before filming to effectively convey the song's message. Coupled with their powerful moves, Minji had to focus on executing an impressive high note toward the end of the song, describing it as "the highest note I've ever made". Their stage presence on music shows demonstrated impressive synchronization, with their performance on KBS Music Bank highlighting their growth as performers.

Fan reactions to the MV

Viewers expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the group's visual transformation. First thing to remember is that many fans noted this comeback represented a complete artistic evolution, with comments like "they've completely transformed themselves into this phenomenal badass girl group". Indeed, Reddit users praised the production quality, noting "The MV and styling is a step up from previous titles, this is their best comeback yet". Nevertheless, some viewers found certain visual elements overly intense, with one commenting "it was a little bit too much dark stuff".