NiziU’s “Sour Grapes” Tells a Story of Successful Risk-Taking

Photo: NiziU Official X

Three years after making their Korean debut, NiziU has finally released their first Korean EP, Sour Grapes. The group, originating from the first season of JYP Entertainment’s Japanese survival show Nizi Project in 2020, themes their latest title track after Greek storyteller Aesop’s The Fox and the Grapes fable. Released on September 28, 2026, the song “Sour Grapes” poses the idea of snatching success by taking risks. 

Though it has been a year and a half since their previous Korean comeback, NiziU returns with strong branding and a distinctive concept in “Sour Grapes.” Through promotional photos, thematic lyrics, sound effects in its instrumental, and a story-driven music video, “Sour Grapes” implements its message throughout all aspects. The results make for a memorable comeback with depth.   

The Concept of “Sour Grapes” 

The Fox and the Grapes tells of a fox’s attempts to reach grapes growing at an unreachable height in a tree. Unable to grab any grapes, the fox gives up and rationalizes that the grapes would have been sour anyway. They assume the result would turn out unfavorably. This gave rise to the term “sour grapes,” which describes when people belittle “something that has proven unattainable.” This kind of mentality tries to soften the negative personal impacts that come with failure. 

NiziU’s “Sour Grapes” says to keep trying to grab the grapes, no matter how sour they may be. Embrace the sourness. People can be quick to judge something before they even experience it: “They get talky, saying it’ll taste the same / But you don’t know this feeling / Just go and bite it,” NiziU says. Don’t let fear discourage you from seeking something you want. The result may turn out differently and reward you for your efforts.* Though artists like the boy group ARrC have also used The Fox and the Grapes as inspiration for a song, NiziU visually and sonically represents the concept through their own interpretation. 

The Visual and Audio Components of “Sour Grapes”  

Filmed in Taipei, Taiwan, the music video for “Sour Grapes” portrays the characteristics of sly and clever foxes through the role of tactical snipers. In contrast to typically cold-hearted and precise snipers, NiziU portrays a team still learning the trade. They stumble along the way, and their mishaps accidentally unleash a group of foxes into the city. 

The song keeps reminding listeners of this silly sniper concept with gunshot sounds and eccentric saxophone notes. With its pop-dance beats straddling a medium tempo, “Sour Grapes” is neither frantically hurried nor sluggishly slow. It carries itself much on a walking pace. The spy concept seems like it would not match a song with those musical qualities, but this is K-Pop: the strangest combinations come together. 

NiziU has always excelled with thorough branding for their Korean releases. Their first Korean title track, “HEARTRIS,” inspired by Tetris, and their first comeback with “LOVE LINE,” centered around the concept of fate lines and the red string of fate, make looking into these songs’ themes an educational and enriching experience. The continued strong themes in “Sour Grapes” have paid off, with its EP already surpassing the sales numbers of previous releases on the HANTEO Chart. 

*Note: lyrics taken from the English captions in the official music video.