The xikers’ new route without fear of getting lost

K-pop is more global than ever. Rather than expanding internationally after debut, many agencies are now building global appeal into a group’s DNA from the very beginning, recruiting trainees from different countries and cultural backgrounds.

Few fifth-generation K-pop groups reflect that shift quite like xikers. With 10 members from different backgrounds, the group offers a glimpse into a generation of artists whose identity extends far beyond national borders.

Since debuting under KQ Entertainment in 2023, xikers has been on a rapid upward trajectory. Their first EP, HOUSE OF TRICKY : Doorbell Ringing, surpassed 100,000 copies sold in its first week and landed the group on multiple Billboard charts, including No. 1 on Emerging Artists and No. 4 on World Albums.

That early momentum quickly translated into bigger achievements. Just over a year into their career, xikers became the first fifth-generation K-pop boy group to place two albums on the Billboard 200, cementing their status as one of the fastest-rising acts of their generation.

If HOUSE OF TRICKY introduced the world to xikers, ROUTE ZERO : The ORA feels like the beginning of something new. Following more than two years of growth, the group is stepping into its next chapter with greater confidence, broader ambitions, and a willingness to challenge itself creatively.

The five-track EP marks the launch of xikers’ new ROUTE ZERO series. At its core, the project captures a group in transition, reflecting both the personal and artistic growth the members have experienced since debut.

Though rooted in the explosive hip-hop energy that fans have come to expect from xikers, ROUTE ZERO: The ORA sees the group exploring new creative directions and a broader range of sounds, rather than simply repeating a formula that has worked before.

From the cinematic tension of Ghost Rider and title track OKay to the freer energy of Graffiti and Trophy, as well as the alternative rock influences woven into Outsider, the EP showcases a group eager to expand its creative range. Yet through every experiment, xikers’ signature intensity remains firmly intact.

In an exclusive conversation with Esquire Vietnam, the members reflected on the making of ROUTE ZERO: The ORA, their growth over the past two years, and the ambitions driving the next phase of their journey.

Esquire Vietnam: ROUTE ZERO : The ORA marks the beginning of a new chapter for xikers. Compared to the HOUSE OF TRICKY era, how do the members feel the group has changed emotionally or creatively?

SUMIN: I think we’ve grown a lot, both personally and as artists. The members have become more mature, and we’ve learned how to better understand and manage ourselves over time. We’ve also worked hard to improve the areas where we felt we were lacking, and little by little, I think we’re becoming more well-rounded as a team.

We’ve also worked hard to improve the areas where we felt we were lacking, and little by little, I think we’re becoming more well-rounded as a team – SUMIN

Songs like Ghost Rider, Graffiti, and Outsider carry a more rebellious and restless energy. What kinds of emotions or experiences shaped the mood of this project? Does this come from anything in your personal lives and journeys?

JUNMIN: I think this album carries a lot of emotions about wanting to be free and having the energy of moving forward on our own terms. The feelings we’ve experienced throughout our journey as a group naturally found their way into the music as well. The songs feel even more personal and connected to our journey because the lyrics really let the listener see from our perspective as xikers.

xikers is known for intense performances and high energy on stage, but what are the members actually like together behind the scenes during comeback season?

HYUNWOO: When we first start preparing for a stage, it’s really fun and exciting, almost like hanging out with friends. But as the performance gets closer, everyone becomes more focused. You can see it in the way we carry ourselves in the practice room as we lock in and get ready for the stage.

Looking back at your trainee period and early debut days, what do you think helped build the trust and camaraderie the group has today?

SEEUN: I think the biggest reason we’ve been able to build such strong teamwork is the consideration and support we show each other. We’ve always tried to look out for one another, and as time has passed, that bond has only grown stronger.

Every member brings a very different personality to xikers. What do you think each person contributes to the team dynamic outside of music and performance?

JUNGHOON: We’ve spent so much time together over the years and even lived together that we understand each other really well now. Since everyone knows each other’s personalities so well, we rarely have conflicts, and I think that’s helped us build a really strong bond as a team.

What’s been the proudest moment—or biggest challenge—for the group thus far?

YECHAN: Whenever we see road𝓨s coming out early in the morning to support us at music shows, it truly moves us and makes us feel so proud. It also reminds us that even during difficult times, we’re able to gain strength from each other, and it makes me want to keep working even harder in the future.

Whenever we see road𝓨s coming out early in the morning to support us at music shows, it truly moves us and makes us feel so proud. It also reminds us that even during difficult times, we’re able to gain strength from each other – YECHAN

Because xikers includes members from different backgrounds and cultures, including Thailand and Korea, has being in the group changed the way you communicate or understand one another?

JINSIK: Honestly, communication has never really been a challenge for us because Hunter speaks Korean so well. We’ve never had any major difficulties understanding each other. On top of that, he’s fluent in English, so he’s helped me out a lot too!

Fashion and visual identity feel especially important in this era, from the styling to the album imagery. How would you describe the overall sartorial mood or aesthetic of xikers right now?

YUJUN: Since our music tends to be pretty intense and powerful, I think our styling naturally leans toward bolder fashion, makeup, and accessories. Personally, I enjoy expressing myself through fashion, so I’ve been having a lot of fun with this style and aesthetic.

You’ve spent the past few years growing up very publicly in front of fans. What has surprised you most about yourselves during that process?

HUNTER: When I’m with my family, I’m Hunter. When I’m with my friends or my members, I’m still Hunter, just a slightly different version of myself. I believe every person you meet brings out a different side of you.

I believe every person you meet brings out a different side of you…When I’m with road𝓨s, they bring out a side of me I didn’t even know existed, and that really surprised me – HUNTER

My family brings out my funnier side, my friends bring out a more relaxed side, and it really changes depending on who I’m with. When I’m with road𝓨s, they bring out a side of me I didn’t even know existed, and that really surprised me.

Growing up from my teenage years into adulthood in front of fans has made me reflect on how much I’ve changed and grown over time, and it makes me incredibly grateful for all the small moments and memories we’ve shared. The photos they take, the videos they capture, it all feels like a beautiful personal gallery that I would never have had if I hadn’t debuted as an artist.

Growing up from my teenage years into adulthood in front of fans has made me reflect on how much I’ve changed and grown over time, and it makes me incredibly grateful for all the small moments and memories we’ve shared – HUNTER

When fans listen to ROUTE ZERO : The ORA, what do you hope they understand about where xikers is heading next?

MINJAE: I hope people come away thinking, “xikers is such an honest and cool team.” If I had to put it another way, I’d also love for them to think of us as a group that feels like summer.

Whenever we’re faced with questions that don’t have a clear right answer, we try not to overthink things. Instead, we follow our instincts and trust what feels right to us. We take the things we genuinely love, shape them into our music and performances, and keep moving forward.

I hope that when people watch us, they see a team that’s honest, fearless, and full of youthful energy – MINJAE

Of course, there will be failures and mistakes along the way. But rather than hiding from those moments or avoiding them, we try to face them head-on every time. I hope that when people watch us, they see a team that’s honest, fearless, and full of youthful energy.

Whenever we’re faced with questions that don’t have a clear right answer, we try not to overthink things. Instead, we follow our instincts and trust what feels right to us – MINJAE

And one more thing, we really know how to have fun on stage. So if you ever get the chance to see us perform live, I hope you’ll come check it out. I think you’ll have a great time!