X:IN - The Truly Global Girl Group Ready to Conquer Billboard
Never before has there been a girl group like this. X:IN, the ultimate global girl group, is making waves in the music scene. Comprised of five members - Roa, Chi.U, E.Sha, Nova, and Aria - the group features an impressive mix of nationalities. Three Korean members are joined by Aria from India and Nova from Russia, setting them apart from other K-pop groups which have primarily included members from Japan, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Not only is their lineup diverse, but their music and performances are also rich and varied. Their pre-debut single "Who am I," released on March 12, expresses the struggles of ordinary teens and young adults trying to find their passions and aspirations. Their official debut track "Keeping the Fire," released on April 11, showcases X:IN's confident identity.
"All the members had long trainee periods. We were very excited to finally debut, but when we got on stage, it didn't feel real. We rushed through our debut activities, making some big and small mistakes along the way (laughs). As the leader, I want to grow and show a perfect performance next time. We'll strive to be an even better X:IN, delivering great music and stunning performances." (Roa)
Aria and Nova, who came to Korea with dreams of becoming singers, were thrilled to see themselves on TV. They expressed their pride in being part of the global rise of K-pop.
"It's not common for Russian K-pop artists, so my debut feels even more valuable. I can't describe the happiness I feel, and I'm looking forward to more stages in the future." (Nova)
"It's incredible. I still can't believe I'm on TV. Since our debut, we've received support from many fans. I'll take pride in being a K-pop artist and give my all in our activities." (Aria)
The members have diverse backgrounds: Aria has acting experience in India, Nova was a part of a K-pop cover dance team, Roa worked as a singer-songwriter, Chi-yu was a cheerleader, and Isha was inspired to become a singer after seeing Girls' Generation's debut stage.
"I started acting at three and made my movie debut in 2011. I was mainly interested in acting, but after hearing BTS's music, I became a K-pop fan and began dreaming of a singer debut. My parents happily agreed when I told them I wanted to be a singer. I auditioned and became a member of X:IN. BTS is my role model."
"I used to do dance sports and later joined a K-pop cover dance team. I love the performances of Jennie and HyunA. I received an audition offer through Instagram DM. At first, I thought, 'How can a Russian person become a K-pop singer in Korea?' But luckily, I was selected as a debut member, and now it still feels like a dream that I'm a K-pop singer." (Nova)
"I didn't initially think about debuting as an idol. I was a vocal major, and the trainee life didn't suit me well. So, I worked in a composing team, also giving vocal direction to senior idols. My parents wanted me to become a teacher. However, the thought of becoming an idol grew in my mind. That's how I started dreaming of being an idol again, and I was able to show my true worth by debuting as X:IN. Now that I've achieved this dream, I won't let go and will keep running towards my goals." (Roa)
The members' unique experiences and talents have made X:IN stand out in the K-pop scene. As they continue to grow, they're eager to showcase their diverse backgrounds and abilities through their music.
"We're so grateful for the support we've received from our fans all around the world. It's an honor to represent different cultures and bring them together through our music. We'll continue to work hard and explore new genres, concepts, and sounds to bring even more exciting performances and songs to our fans." (E.sha)
Chi-yu shared her journey from being a cheerleader to becoming a member of X:IN, "I was always passionate about performing and dancing, and I loved being a cheerleader. But when I discovered K-pop, I knew that it was the perfect platform for me to express myself. I'm thrilled to be a part of X:IN, where I can use my skills and experience to contribute to our performances."
As X:IN continues to break boundaries, their influence in the global music scene is undeniable. With their eyes set on conquering the Billboard charts, the future looks bright for this extraordinary girl group.
"We are so grateful for the opportunities we've had and the support we've received. Our goal is to make a name for ourselves on the Billboard charts and continue to inspire others with our music. We're working tirelessly to grow as artists and performers, and we can't wait to share even more amazing music and performances with our fans." (Aria)
X:IN's journey has just begun, and their determination and passion are evident. As they forge ahead, there's no doubt that this ultimate global girl group will continue to captivate the hearts of fans worldwide. So, watch out, Billboard - X:IN is coming for you!
"When I was young, I did ballet, and after entering middle school, I started cheerleading. I was a national cheerleader for about 5-6 years, winning medals and such. However, during high school, I had to quit cheerleading after an accident where I fell onto the asphalt during rehearsal. At the time, I was in the acting department and thought about becoming an actress, but I couldn't deny my happiness when dancing and singing. After that, I auditioned and spent around 6 years as a trainee before making my debut like this. It's like a drama, isn't it? (laughs)" (Chi.U)
"I don't have a dramatic backstory like the other members. When Girls' Generation debuted with 'Into the New World,' I saw their performance and had a vague dream of becoming someone like them. I've always loved dancing, and I slowly nurtured my dream of becoming a singer through K-pop broadcast dance. I even secretly auditioned without my parents knowing. Later, I formally told my parents that I wanted to become a singer, and after 5-6 years as a trainee, I was able to achieve my debut dream." (E.sha)
Though their stories vary, the five members who shared the same dream of 'singer debut' finally met as the group X:IN and have been growing day by day, setting impressive records. Their YouTube subscribers, an indicator of global popularity, have already surpassed 150,000, and Aria's fancam video achieved 100 million views after rumors spread that she resembled a famous Chinese actor.
"I never dreamed that so many people would watch my fancam. I'm grateful for the overwhelming attention. I want to continue showing only great sides of myself." (Aria)
"I think we received a lot of love from global fans thanks to the overflowing charm of each member. I think all of this is feedback on the results achieved by the five members working hard. We want to repay global fans with good stages and content in the future."
After successfully completing their debut activities, X:IN will embark on full-fledged overseas activities starting with a concert in Indonesia in June. As it is their first overseas performance, expectations seemed quite high. "We want to show our charm as is, since X:IN's raw concept is our strength. Just as we have a diverse member composition, we will also show that we can digest various genres of songs and performances on stage." (Loa)
"We want to show off the unique chemistry of X:IN, consisting of Korean, Indian, and Russian members, through our performances. We want to actively communicate with numerous global fans by visiting various countries." (Chi.U)
"I want to visit Nova and Aria's hometown and present a performance. If we get a chance in the future, we'd like to show new styles of music by mixing Russian, Indian, and K-pop." (Loa)
X:IN, as a 'global group,' had different goals. They expressed their ambition to put X:IN's name on the US Billboard charts.
"They say you should dream big, right? Our goal is the US Billboard charts. We'll work hard to achieve that dream. Keep an eye on us!" (Loa)
"We'd like to perform at large festivals or stages like Coachella or the Super Bowl. We want to show X:IN's amazing performances and music surrounded by numerous audiences." (E.sha)
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