Boy band xikers sets its sights on New Artist award after official debut

K-pop

Published: 29 Mar. 2023, 17:45 Updated: 29 Mar. 2023, 18:33

Boy band xikers sets its sights on New Artist award after official debut

Boy band xikers poses during its debut showcase on March 29 at the SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong of Mapo District, western Seoul. [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

Ten-member boy band xikers wants to “open a new era,” it said during Wednesday’s debut showcase at the SBS Prism Tower in Sangam, western Seoul.

“We know that so many boy bands debuted this year, or are scheduled to debut,” said the band’s leader Minjae. “But our group name means ‘boys who travel through time and space, in search of their own coordinate.' Just like that, we want to pursue our own goals with our infinite potential.”

The boy band is set to release its debut EP “House of Tricky : Doorbell Ringing” on Thursday, centering around the fictional storyline of 10 boys who have been deemed “unfit” in a dystopian society. The 10 members are Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Hunter, Junghoon, Seeun, Yujun and Yechan.

Boy band xikers performs its debut lead track "Tricky House" during Wednesday's showcase. [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

Initially dubbed KQ Fellaz 2 when they were trainees under KQ Entertainment, the 10 members have already been garnering attention as the second boy band to come from the agency behind hit group Ateez. Since before their official debut, they have been appearing on reality shows on YouTube and touring with Ateez in the United States. The band also dropped a pre-debut song titled “Geek” last September.

“I can’t believe that our debut is actually happening,” said Jinsik. “We’ve longed for it for so long, and also wonder how the public will see us. We’ll always be improving ourselves.”

“This is just the beginning,” Minjae added. “We want to leave a sensational impact on the public with our debut.”

xikers channels Ateez’s powerful music style and dystopian world view, but with a supernatural twist themed after dokkaebi (goblin) in Korean folklore.

Concept photo for boy band xikers' debut EP "House of Tricky : Doorbell Ringing." [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

“One of the two lead tracks is ‘Tricky House,’ which incorporates dokkaebi from traditional Korean lore and a Bollywood-style sound,” said Seeun.

According to Junghoon, leader Hongjoong of Ateez participated in writing the music and lyrics for all of the tracks featured on “House of Tricky : Doorbell Ringing.”

“He’s been giving us demo versions and feedback regarding how we should express the songs,” Minjae said. “That made it so much easier for us. Other members of Ateez also always monitor us and help us out, giving words of support.”

The group performed “Tricky House” and “Rockstar,” another lead track, on stage.

“'Tricky House’ shows off the members’ mischievous and witty sides, while ‘Rockstar’ exudes our bright energy of youth,” the youngest member Yechan explained. Junmin and Hunter proceeded to demonstrate the key dance moves of “Tricky House.”

Boy band xikers performs its debut lead track "Tricky House" during Wednesday's showcase. [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

Since 10 people working together is not an easy task, members say they’ve taken time to find out the best way to communicate with other.

“Someone has to take the lead and start the conversation, and then we all share our opinions freely,” said Minjae.

“When we practice, the older members born in 2003 lead the youngest members born in 2005 very well,” Junghoon added.

“That’s what creates our advantage point, which is great teamwork.”

While the band is ambitious to reach many goals this year, Seeun says one milestone would mean more than anything.

“An award for New Artist is something you can only receive once, and only within the year of your debut,” he said. “So many boy bands have debuted this year and we will have to navigate steep competition. A New Artist award would be proof that we did a great job.”