Promotional photo for K-pop boy group xikers' EP 'House of Tricky: Watch Out.' Photos courtesy of KQ EntertainmentWhen K-pop boy band xikers debuted in March 2023, they quickly generated excitement as the latest act from KQ Entertainment, following in the footsteps of the Billboard chart-topping group ATEEZ.

Having more experienced labelmates has been an advantage for xikers, as they frequently receive advice and support.

“The members of ATEEZ are always cheering us on and that is so encouraging,” Seeun, one of xikers’ 10 members, said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

“Most recently, Seonghwa [of ATEEZ] spoke to me and reminded me to always work hard and do my best. That if I do, I’ll eventually reach my goals. He emphasized that rather than worrying too much about anything, I should just give it my all, and that really encouraged me,”  he shared.

Both groups share sonic similarities, drawing on energetic sounds and heavy hip-hop influences. However, xikers — also comprised of Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Hunter, Junghoon (who is on hiatus due to a knee injury), Yujun and Yechan — infuse their music with a playful and youthful energy that sets them apart from ATEEZ’s more polished, anthemic tracks.

“As artists, we hope to be remembered as a group that can transform a wide variety of genres into our own unique xikers style,” said Yechan.

xikers’ eclectic approach to music is evident in their releases. Their debut single “Tricky House” blended EDM with Middle Eastern influences, while “Rockstar” and “Do or Die” channeled punk-rock energy. “We Don’t Stop,” on the other hand, had tinges of ‘90s hip-hop.

Their latest release, the fourth EP “House of Tricky: Watch Out,” saw xikers exploring a darker concept. The lead single, “Witch,” is a trap-infused track with a menacing vibe and a surprising tempo shift toward the end.

Junmin said the song “expresses a narrative of a masquerade ball where we dance hand in hand with an unknown being.”

Q: I’ve noticed that all your albums are titled with 'House of Tricky.' Can you share the meaning behind 'House of Tricky' and how the latest installment, 'Watch Out,' fits into the series?

Minjae: Our debut song, “Tricky House,” holds a key role in our universe, marking the beginning of our journey in the “House of Tricky” series. The story of how we come together and the unfolding events are all part of this evolving narrative. 

Our latest album, “Watch Out,” embodies our determination and serves as a bold warning from us, xikers. After relentlessly pushing forward in the early stages of our journey, we’ve learned to trust ourselves and move with purpose in the direction we’ve chosen. The title of the EP, “Watch Out,” is our message to a world that labels us as outcasts, daring it to pay attention as we defy those expectations.

Q: Minjae, Sumin and Yechan have been involved in writing the lyrics for xikers’ songs, even in past albums. Can you share some behind-the-scenes stories from the songwriting process for the tracks on 'Watch Out'?

Sumin: I tried to show new colors and sides to myself that I hadn’t shown in the first three EPs. As for a little anecdote from behind-the-scenes of the songwriting process, I feel like most of the lyrics I wrote for this EP came together in a short amount of time.

Q: Are there any specific details or highlights in the album that you think fans should pay special attention to?

Jinsik: We worked really hard to prepare for this EP and the title track “Witch,” so please pay close attention to not only our performance but also to our live skills.

Q: It has been over a year since xikers debuted. What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?

Hunter: One of the most memorable moments for me was during K-POP LUX in Madrid. I remember that we were the opening act, the first to perform on stage, and during “Tricky House,” even though I was wearing noise canceling in-ear monitors, I heard the whole audience singing along to “shanty shanty ya ya ya” — the highlight part — with us. It gave me goosebumps.

Q: Earlier this year, you wrapped up your world tour with stops in the United States and Europe. What was the experience like and do you have plans to visit Southeast Asia, specifically the Philippines?

Hyunwoo: The experience was amazing. In terms of where to perform, it doesn’t really matter where that is. We’d love to go perform wherever our Roady (fans) want to see us and put on a great show for them.

Q: Please send a message to your Filipino fans.

Yujun: Thank you so much for supporting us from the Philippines and I hope we can perform there as soon as possible!

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