'Watch Out' world: Xikers takes the bull by the horns with fourth 'House of Tricky' EP

K-pop

'Watch Out' world: Xikers takes the bull by the horns with fourth 'House of Tricky' EP

Published: 06 Sep. 2024, 13:39 Updated: 06 Sep. 2024, 18:34

YOON SO-YEON
yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr

The members of boy band xikers pose for the camera during a press showcase held in western Seoul Thursday afternoon, a day before the release of the band's fourth EP ″House of Tricky: Watch Out.” [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

Boy band xikers is ready to make its presence impossible to ignore with its fourth EP "House of Tricky: Watch Out."

"The members tried to take the bull by the horns this time, and I think we all did a really great job," said Minjae during a press showcase held at the Shinhan Card Sol Pay Square Live Hall in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Thursday afternoon, a day before the release of the EP.

"Just like the concept of our album, I want to hear that we really faced it head-on," said Sumin.

"House of Tricky: Watch Out" comes six months after the release of the group's third EP "House of Tricky: Trial And Error" in March.

Xikers debuted as a 10-member group last March under KQ Entertainment, which is also home to boy band Ateez. The group consists of Junmin, Hunter, Yechan, Yujun, Se-eun, Hyunwoo, Jinsik, Sunmin and Minjae. The tenth member, Junghoon, is currently taking a break from band activities after a serious knee injury in May of last year, and did not participate in this album.

The new EP is the fourth chapter in the "House of Tricky" series, continuing its bold and reckless journey and showcasing the band's willingness to trust in their stronger selves and take the bull by the horns, according to Se-eun.

Boy band xikers performs the lead track ″Witch″ during a press showcase held in western Seoul Thursday afternoon, a day before the release of its third EP ″House of Tricky: Trial And Error.″ [KQ ENTERTAINMENT]

The EP features six tracks: "Watch Out," "Witch," "Back Off," "Bittersweet," "Sandcastle" and "Hang Around," with three album versions available: Tricky, Hicker and X, according to Minjae. The lead track, "Witch," is a six-eight beat trap song where the members dance as if they are holding hands with something mysterious in a ballroom, according to the band.

It has been a year and a half since the boy group debuted with its first EP "House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing" (2023).

Since then, the band has appeared on the Billboard 200 albums chart twice: its first EP reached No. 75 within 12 days of its release, and its third EP released in March climbed to No. 73.

"We are thankful to have made it onto the Billboard chart twice. At first, there was a lot of pressure, but we just thought we needed to work harder. Personally, I focused more on practice, thinking I should improve, which helped me enhance my skills," said Yechan. "We will continue to be a band that always tries hard."

The powerful energy of the band may partly stem from its tours, beginning with its first world tour, "Tricky House: First Encounter," which started last October, just seven months after the band's debut. This was followed by a European tour in January, during which the group connected with fans in seven countries.

"During the tour, I felt immense gratitude, learning that so many fans worldwide like us. I was also so thankful that, even though what we show might be unfamiliar to overseas fans, they still enjoy and love our culture. It was a truly special memory," said Se-eun.

The band recently held its first Japanese fan meeting titled "Xikers 1st Fan Meeting: RoadYmap in Japan," in Osaka and Tokyo from Aug. 1 to 5. It also released its Japanese debut single, "Tsuki (Lunatic)," on Aug. 7.

"When we held our solo fan meeting in Japan and performed on local stages, I wanted to debut in Japan. I am just so thankful and lucky that we debuted in Japan," said Jinsik.

To find out more about xikers, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]