road𝓨, xikers are back! With their eighth mini album, ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING, this powerhouse group is more explosive than ever! And yes, that was a ‘DIENAMITE’ reference. We’ve been following xikers through space and time since their 2023 debut, so we were totally honored to have the chance to interview them!
Through our exclusive interview, we’ve come to appreciate the members’ hard work even more, something we didn’t think was possible! The way that they all speak about each others talents, and how much they carve out space for one another to shine, is so special. All ten of the xikers members need to be on your stan list!
If you’re ready to travel through ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING with xikers, here’s our exclusive interview!
xikers x The Honey POP Exclusive Interview
Welcome to The Honey POP! We’re chatting just after the release of your 8th EP, ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING. How are you feeling right now, how have preparations been going?
JUNMIN: We’re spending these days feeling excited to finally show road𝓨s our new performances. To prepare for this moment and deliver the best stages possible, we spent our time during the break practicing hard and sharing our thoughts with one another to make sure we were all on the same page mentally as well.
It feels wild to say it’s your 8th EP already, right?! When you look back at your debut record, what do you see as the biggest differences, whether in yourselves or in your music?
SEEUN: It makes me realize just how much time has passed, and having released 8 albums now gives me an even greater sense of responsibility to keep doing better. At the same time, I feel proud of myself and the members for consistently working hard and staying dedicated to what we’ve been doing for the past four years.
With the title being ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING, it straightaway gives people the sense that some of the lyrics will be especially personal. What is the overarching message you want to convey to listeners?
MINJAE: This album really captures the ambition we have to shake things up and make a big impact with our title track. On the other hand, it also naturally conveys the bond and friendship the members share. It’s a strong reflection of our determination to lean on one another and move forward together during such an important time in our journey.
The tracklist reveal got us so excited, too! The closing track, ‘Sanctuary,’ caught our eye immediately. Do any of you have a specific place or memory that you would say is your sanctuary?
JUNGHOON: I think our practice room is actually our sanctuary. We’ve spent the most time together there, from our early days until now, and I think we’ll continue to spend a lot of time there in the future. It’s a place that has seen so much of us. It’s where all 10 of us have made countless memories together, so it holds a very special meaning for us.
One of our favorite things about xikers is how hands-on you guys are with all the different elements of your work! During your creative process, has there ever been a specific thing or moment that made you suddenly think, “Oh, the fans are going to absolutely love this!”? If so, what was it?
YECHAN: Actually, in ‘DIENAMITE,’ my rap verse leads into Sumin’s, and since we each have such distinct styles and vibes, it is a thought that came to mind because the contrast between us brings such a unique charm to the song. I really felt it while working on the second verse. This transition makes the track even more dynamic and give fans something fun to look forward to.
Creating space for ten different voices and expertise has to come with a lot of organization and respect. How does that process flow while making sure everyone feels heard and represented?
YUJUN: We’ve all been together so long that there’s an understanding amongst each other and ourselves in bringing the song to life. When recording title tracks or more powerful songs, I tend to make my voice sound fuller and lower in tone. For brighter or more laid-back songs, I try to bring out a softer side of my voice while incorporating my own style and a refreshing vocal tone. The other members also adapt their approaches to fit the mood of each song.
xikers comeback stages are always epic! What can road𝓨 expect from this new era? Are there any hints you can give us?
HUNTER: In this new era, we’re bringing forward a more mature, grown up side of ourselves. It’s with songs produced by our leader Minjae, making it extra special. As our leader, he really considers the individuality and talents of each member while producing, so it’s fun being a part of it and seeing it come to fruition. This is a comeback where all the members really shine and can show even more of their own charms, whether that’s producing or showing new sides of themselves on stage.
The CALLING is the second mini album in the ROUTE ZERO series, following The ORA. How do these two albums compare? How would you describe the differences and similarities between them?
MINJAE: The biggest difference is probably that I was directly involved in creating the title track this time. The overall musical arrangement and sound are also quite different, especially with rock elements playing a much bigger role. Both albums though, still have a xikers sound to it. They both remain highly conceptual and full of energy.
A lot of our team are pop-punk fans, so we obviously have to mention ‘RUNNERS HIGH,’ too! We love it so much! How did that particular song come about?
JINSIK: Minjae originally intended ‘DIENAMITE’ to be a vocal unit track, but after it was chosen as the title track for this album, he gave us ‘RUNNERS HIGH’ instead! I remember feeling a little sad when ‘DIENAMITE’ became the title track, but as soon as I heard ‘RUNNERS HIGH,’ all that sadness disappeared. I loved the song from the very first listen, so I remember putting a lot of effort into recording it!
The cardboard cutouts and sketch-drawing guitars in the ‘RUNNERS HIGH’ video are such a cool touch. What goes into designing your stage instruments? Where does an idea like that start?
SEEUN: I think we have to give kudos to the original inspiration, which is the track itself. Since Minjae is a member of xikers and knows us better than anyone, I feel like he’s able to capture the emotions we experience in each moment really well. Anything of the song comes from the song itself, and honestly… I’d like to thank him for always drawing inspiration from the members and keeping us in mind throughout the creative process.
In the promo for ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING, the schedule poster teleports from a wall to a car to a lamppost. It got us thinking: once an era wraps, is there a moment from the lead-up you always wish you could teleport back to?
SUMIN: Personally, I’d love to go back to the days of our first album. I often find myself thinking about how much more flavorful and interesting my verses could be if I could revisit that time with the skills I have now. I feel the same way about my vocals, too. It’s great as is, but more than anything, I’d really love to try writing ‘XIKEY’ again.
You guys raise the bar with every comeback, so as we celebrate the ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING era, we want to know: what are you most proud of with this album?
HUNTER: We’re most proud of the title track of this album. There’s such pride in knowing that one of our members, our leader Minjae, actually wrote it. He also wrote one of the b-side tracks and that’s a first for all of us too. The performance, outfits, and styling for this comeback is on point. Honestly, we’ve never really tried a y2k-cropped look, but I think the stylists cooked this time.
And our last question: what message would you like to share with road𝓨 and The Honey POP readers today?
HYUNWOO: Thank you so much for always showing xikers so much love and support. We’ll keep working hard and continue to show you how much we grow as artists. Thank you!
Thank you to xikers for taking the time to chat with us for this exclusive interview!
Are you obsessed with ROUTE ZERO : The CALLING? What did you think of our exclusive interview with xikers?! Let us know by tweeting us at @TheHoneyPOP or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
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