xikers are moving with the kind of momentum that does not feel accidental. Since debuting under KQ Entertainment in 2023, the ten-member group has quickly established itself as one of K-pop’s most exciting new forces, bringing together explosive performance energy, playful charisma and a chemistry that feels increasingly instinctive. Their debut EP, HOUSE OF TRICKY : Doorbell Ringing, made an immediate global impact, entering multiple Billboard charts and placing the group firmly on the international radar.
But behind the numbers is a group still growing, still testing its limits and still discovering the full shape of its identity. For xikers, success has not been about standing still. It has been about learning through movement, through trial and error, through the trust built between ten very different personalities who now describe themselves less as friends and more as family.
With ROUTE ZERO : The ORA, xikers open a new chapter. The project marks a shift from the restless experimentation of their HOUSE OF TRICKY series into something more defined, confident and intentional. It is an album that captures the group’s ambition while pushing them into new creative territory, from more intense performance styles to fresh vocal directions and emotional textures.
In conversation with House of Solo, xikers reflect on how the group was formed, the chemistry that holds them together, the pressure and surrealism of early global success, the challenges behind ROUTE ZERO : The ORA, and the legacy they hope to build together.
xikers came together as a ten-member multi-national group under KQ Entertainment. Can you take us back to the beginning and share how the group was formed?
JUNGHOON: Honestly, when we were trainees, we did not know that xikers would eventually become a ten-member group. Looking back now, I think bringing together ten people with different personalities and strengths created a really special kind of synergy, and that is one of the things that makes our team unique.
When you first met each other, what were your first impressions, and how has your relationship as a group changed since then?
JINSIK: When we first met, I was pretty shy by nature, so it was not easy for me to get close to everyone right away. But as we prepared for our debut and spent more time together, we naturally became much closer. Now, the members feel like family to me.
With ten members, each bringing different personalities, backgrounds, and strengths, how did you build your chemistry both on and off stage?
SUMIN: Rather than doing anything specific to build our friendship, I think we naturally grew closer by learning to understand each other and getting to know one another so well over time. Because of that, a lot of things now come naturally between us. At this point, we feel more like family than just friends.
Was there a particular moment when you realised the group had found its rhythm together?
HYUNWOO: Compared to when we first debuted, we have become so much faster at being in sync for our choreography. We are able to put together even better performances more naturally now, and moments like that really make me realise how much we have grown as a team.
Your debut EP, HOUSE OF TRICKY : Doorbell Ringing, made a huge impact globally, entering several Billboard charts and selling over 100,000 copies in its first week. What do you remember most about that debut moment?
MINJAE: I still remember hearing that our debut album had entered the Billboard 200 chart. It honestly did not feel real at all. At the time, we had been going nonstop from our showcase to our first music show recordings and live broadcasts with almost no sleep. I remember that during my trainee days, I used to check the charts every single week and pick songs from there to practise with, so the moment I realised that our own music was now on that same chart was probably one of the most surreal experiences of my life.
Did the success of your debut change the way you saw yourselves as artists, or did it bring a new kind of pressure?
SEEUN: I think it is really important to stay true to who you are, no matter how much your surroundings change. That is why I try to maintain a balance between Park Seeun the artist and Park Seeun as an ordinary 22-year-old. I always pay a lot of attention to making sure I never lose sight of either side of who I am.
xikers has been described as one of the standout groups of the 5th generation of K-pop. What do you think makes your identity, sound, and performance style different from other groups?
YUJUN: I think one of xikers’ biggest charms is the way we balance being both cool and playful at the same time. Our music carries a lot of energy, and I think the chemistry and performance power that come from having all ten members together is one of our biggest strengths.
Your performances are known for their energy, precision, and intensity. How do you prepare as a group before stepping on stage?
JUNGHOON: Of course, putting in the work and preparing hard for the stage comes first, but before we go on, we always gather together and shout our team cheer. It is our way of boosting each other’s energy and stepping onto the stage as one.
With members from different backgrounds, how do your individual experiences shape the music, visuals, and overall spirit of xikers?
JUNMIN: Because each member has their own style and way of expressing themselves, we naturally bring different ideas to the table. I think that variety adds a lot of depth to what we do, and when those different influences come together, they help shape xikers’ unique character.
YECHAN: We have spent so much time together over the years that we understand each other really well. Because of that, there is a strong sense of trust within the team, and I think that connection comes through naturally in both our music and performances. Overall, the atmosphere within the team is always really bright, energetic, and full of positive energy.
** ROUTE ZERO : The ORA marks another chapter in the xikers journey. What does this project mean to you personally and collectively as a group?**
HUNTER: As a group, I see this as a chance to show road𝓨s a new side of ourselves, as it marks the beginning of a new chapter. Over the past three years since our debut, we have grown a great deal both as a team and as artists. On a personal level, this project is also an opportunity for me to explore things I have not tried before, and to continue challenging myself for growth and improvement.
What was the main message, story, or feeling you wanted to capture with ROUTE ZERO: The ORA?
MINJAE: The HOUSE OF TRICKY series has represented xikers’ journey of trial and error. Across a wide range of genres, concepts, and sounds, we challenged ourselves by diving in headfirst, learning along the way what kind of colours we truly resonate with and what direction we want to move toward as artists. ROUTE ZERO carries the ambition, confidence, and direction we discovered through that process. We are still as bold and adventurous as ever, but now we have a clearer sense of who we are. The ORA is the first step on that path, so I hope everyone will look forward to this next phase of xikers’ journey.
What were some of the biggest creative or personal challenges you faced while making ROUTE ZERO: The ORA?
YECHAN: Personally, one of the biggest challenges I set for myself was to make sure I improved on everything, without missing a single aspect, before preparations for the comeback began. I worked hard on my vocals, dancing, and rap because I wanted to be ready to show a stronger performance and an even cooler side of myself, no matter what concept or role was asked of me. So pushing myself to consistently train and refine all areas was a personal challenge in itself.
How did ROUTE ZERO: The ORA push you outside of your comfort zone, whether vocally, lyrically, creatively, or as performers?
SEEUN: I think this album challenged us in a lot of ways. This album features a much more intense performance style compared to what we have shown before, and overall, the vocal direction also explores new genres and approaches. There were a lot of new things for us to try, which made the whole process really exciting and fun.
Was there a song on the album that felt especially meaningful or emotional for the group?
JINSIK: For me, it would be “Outsider.” It is a style of song that I personally really enjoy, and I think the lyrics are beautiful as well. That is probably why it is one of the tracks that resonates with me the most.
When listeners hear the album from start to finish, what do you hope they take away from it?
SUMIN: I hope people come away thinking, “I did not know xikers could pull off this kind of sound too.” More than anything, I hope the album leaves them wanting to listen again, whether that means replaying a song they loved or adding it to their playlist.
Your fanbase has grown quickly around the world. What kind of relationship do you hope to build with your fans as xikers continues to grow?
HYUNWOO: I hope we can build a relationship that feels warm, genuine, and lasting. I would love for us to be like friends who are always there for each other and who truly appreciate one another. To me, a tree that quietly stays by your side is more precious than a shooting star that shines brightly for only a moment. That is the kind of connection I hope we can continue to share with our fans.
Looking ahead, what sides of xikers do you still want to show through future music, performances, or creative projects?
JUNMIN: I think it would be fun to show music that explores different emotions and atmospheres. Beyond just performance, we hope to continue evolving musically as well, and become a team that can consistently present something new and unexpected.
YUJUN: I just want to keep showing people new things. Through our music and performances, I hope we can continue sharing the kind of cool and unique charm that makes xikers who we are.
When you think about the future of xikers, what kind of legacy do you hope the group will build together?
HUNTER: We like to dream big, and we hope to build a legacy that continues even beyond the group itself. Just as Michael Jackson’s influence remains timeless and ever-present, we want to create something larger than ourselves. Something people will remember, cherish, and continue to celebrate long after.
