Onew and Zico Successfully Secured Their First Win with the song Tic Tac Toe on Music Core
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ASTON OTONITY – Onew from SHINee and Zico from Block B secured their first music show win with their collaboration track titled “Tic Tac Toe.”
The win was announced on the episode of “Music Core” that aired on October 17, 2026, where they earned a total of 7,054 points, beating out other competitors such as Soyeon from i-dle with the song “I’m gonna TOESA” and IU with “Unknown Planet.”
“We are very grateful to all the fans who supported us. This is a very meaningful victory,” said Onew and Zico in their statement. Both looked very happy and excited as they accepted the victory trophy on stage.
In that episode, a number of other artists also delivered captivating performances. Among them were NCT WISH, MEOVV, Hearts2Hearts, BOYNEXTDOOR, and many more. Each performance featured songs that fans had been eagerly awaiting, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the show.
NCT WISH performed their song titled “I SPY,” while MEOVV performed “GO HARD.” The event also featured Hearts2Hearts with the Korean version of “ICONIC HEART,” and BOYNEXTDOOR, who rocked the stage with “Count To Love” and “ANIMAL.”
Other artists who livened up the event included ALLDAY PROJECT with “CRASH,” Sung Han Bin from ZEROBASEONE with “UNDEAD,” and Xdinary Heroes with “Obsessed with Youth.” INFINITE, represented by Nam Woo Hyun, also performed the song “DEVIL.”
Broadly speaking, Onew and Zico’s song “Tic Tac Toe” uses the popular board game tic-tac-toe as a metaphor to describe the dynamics of a relationship without a defined status—one that is complicated yet full of romantic tension and mutual flirting.
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The relationship in this song is described as being in a gray area—it’s more than just a regular friendship, but they aren’t officially a couple yet. There’s a back-and-forth of emotions that makes the situation both thrilling and confusing.
The lyrics draw an analogy between romantic advances and taking turns in tic-tac-toe (“Now it’s your turn…”). This relationship involves tactics, reading the room, and a battle of pride, as neither wants to be the first to back down in showing their interest.
Interestingly, the abbreviation for tic-tac-toe is often associated with “XOXO” (symbols for hugs and kisses). The song describes how even a brief glance can make someone feel incredibly happy and “full” of love (“Just a glance from you and I’m full”), highlighting the depth of their mutual attraction.
Through the verses and pre-chorus, one partner urges their significant other to end this game of cat-and-mouse, telling others to step aside (spectators’ baggage).
And they urge their lover to honestly express their feelings (“Tell me that you love me”) so their relationship can move toward a more certain future.
