Plus Magazine

In the competitive K-pop market where prominent groups compete fiercely in the fifth generation, there is a group that has already made a name for themselves and celebrated their first anniversary since debut. That group is xikers! With the meaning of “Boys who travel through time and space in search of coordinates,” xikers embark on their own journey with their 3rd EP [HOUSE OF TRICKY : Trial And Error]. M COUNTDOWN Magazine met them as they showcased their intense charisma, momentarily setting aside their youthful image to prominently feature old-school vibes with their title track ‘We Don’t Stop.’

Hello, xikers! Before starting the interview, congratulations on your upcoming first anniversary of debut. You’ve accomplished so much in such a short amount of time, including charting on the Billboard 200. How do you feel reflecting on this?

SEEUN : I was extremely happy to receive a lot of attention and love since our debut, and it’s given me the energy to keep working hard. I’ll repay my fans for their support!

Please share any particular memorable moments from your year as xikers.

HUNTER : Undoubtedly, our first world tour is the most memorable. It was a dream to be able to tour in Japan, North America, and Europe within just six months of our debut, and meeting fans from all over the world was incredibly gratifying. I remember thinking, “There are so many road𝓨s around the world!”

With the milestone of your one year anniversary, you’ve really started to find the coordinates with this 3rd EP [HOUSE OF TRICKY : Trial And Error], and perhaps that’s why the sound itself has undergone significant changes. Could you please tell us about the album?

YECHAN : This 3rd EP [HOUSE OF TRICKY : Trial And Error] is an album about finding our own coordinates through significant trial and error, following the practice rounds of our previous 2nd EP! There are 6 tracks in total, including the title track ‘We Don’t Stop,’ so please enjoy and support them with lots of love.

Overall, the combination of mechanical guitar and cybernetic synthesizer sounds throughout the album is impressive. Additionally, the synergy within individual tracks like ‘Red Sun’ is remarkable. Do the members have any particular favorites on the album?

HYUNWOO : There’s a song that all of the members like, and it’s ‘Break A Leg’! With a title meaning ‘good luck,’ it’s a song that gives hope and courage to young people looking for their dreams, so we found a lot of comfort listening to it.

This musical shift seems to be a reflection of not wanting to settle for the status quo and continue to challenge yourself. The title track ‘We Don’t Stop’ also seems to prove this, but are there any musical endeavors that the members would like to try?

SUMIN : I’ve always wanted to do old-school hip hop, and working on ‘We Don’t Stop’ fulfilled that desire. Now, I’d like to try something like jazz for the next album.

I’d love to talk more about ‘We Don’t Stop,’ which embodies a hip hop style with an ever-changing yet provocative charm. I’m curious about the musical direction it aimed to showcase.

MINJAE : I think the primary goal was to merge the old-school genre with a trendy sound while showcasing the unique old-school vibe that only xikers can deliver.

Please point out any special parts of your stage performance for the M COUNTDOWN viewers.

YUJUN : In the bridge of ‘We Don’t Stop,’ there is a section where SUMIN says, “We Don’t Stop man,” transitioning perfectly into the old-school vibe. I hope you pay special attention to that part.

It might be a characteristic of the genre, but towards the end of the song, both the choreography and the vibe remind me of Seo Taiji and Boys’ ‘Come Back Home.’ Was this resemblance intentional?

JUNMIN : Even before our comeback with our 3rd EP, following our 1st and 2nd EP, I always wanted to try old-school hip hop. Thus, for this final dance break, as well as the overall flow and vibe of the beat, we worked hard to incorporate elements of old-school hip hop. Especially towards the end, I focused on capturing the essence of old-school vibes through dancing, drawing inspiration from performances by senior artists like Seo Taiji and Boys.

Among the 5th generation boy groups, you deliver powerful music. If you had to define xikers in one word, what would it be, similar to the previous albums’ ‘Dynamic 淸亮(youthfulness)’?

SEEUN : This album has a much more hip and trendy feel than the previous albums, so if I had to describe it in one word, it would be ‘Intense Hip Hop.’ 

What will xikers look like in 2024, as you celebrate your first anniversary and move past the tense feelings of being rookies? Or, what image do you wish to portray?

HUNTER : I still can’t believe it’s already been a year since my debut, but I want to show more mature and improved performances on stage. Everything was new to me when I first debuted, so I had some clumsy moments on stage. Through this world tour, I’ve learned a lot about controlling my strength and refining my stage manners. I hope to continue showing improvement in the future.

Please leave a message of support for JUNGHOON who is eagerly awaiting his return from injury.

YECHAN : JUNGHOON, we know that you’re working hard on your rehabilitation more than anyone else, so let’s cheer up a little more and get back together as dedicated xikers as before. (Smiles) Many road𝓨s are waiting for you, longing for your voice. (Smiles) Keep going!

Now that it’s become an official M COUNTDOWN Magazine question, please take a moment to express your gratitude to your fans, road𝓨, and our readers.

HYUNWOO : road𝓨! I’m sincerely grateful for your continuous support, and we have waited just as eagerly as road𝓨 has waited for us! Let’s meet more often, and we will always repay your love!