Competition among rookie boy groups to gain momentum

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 14:08

K-pop

Competition among rookie boy groups to gain momentum

Posted : 2023-03-17 17:11

Updated : 2023-03-19 17:17

Teaser for xikers' upcoming mini-album, "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing" / Courtesy of KQ Entertainment

By Dong Sun-hwa

In hindsight, 2022 was the year of K-pop girl groups. A host of rookie female acts like NewJeans, IVE and Le Sserafim took the music scene by storm shortly after their debut and competed fiercely against each other to become the next K-pop queens. This year, however, the rat race will involve K-pop boy groups, with a plethora of them gearing up for their debut.

KQ Entertainment's new group xikers is set to roll out its first mini-album, "HOUSE OF TRICKY: Doorbell Ringing," March 30. Consisting of Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Junghoon, Seeun, Hunter, Yujun and Yechan, xikers is KQ's first boy group in five years after ATEEZ's debut in 2018.

Its name is a combination of the letter "x" ― which represents an unknown quantity or variable in mathematics ― and the word, "hikers."

"Its name implies that it is comprised of boys who travel through time and space in search of different 'coordinates,'" KQ explained in a statement, adding that the upcoming mini-album will highlight their refreshing vibe and powerful performances.

The 10 members, who were previously called "KQ Fellaz 2," joined xikers after passing a series of tests on SBS' 2022 audition program, "The Player: K-POP Quest." They premiered one of their songs ― "TRICKY HOUSE" ― on the show, garnering positive reviews for their performing skills.

The rookie group is poised to hold a fan event one day before its debut. The event will be livestreamed on its official YouTube channel.

Teaser for The Wind's upcoming mini-album, "Beginning: The Wind Page" / Courtesy of With Us Entertainment

The Wind, the first boy band formed by With US Entertainment, will soon arrive on the music scene, too. Although its debut date has been kept under wraps, With US recently hinted that it will showcase the group "this spring." With US is a sub-label of Around US Entertainment, which was established by the members of high-profile boy group Highlight in 2016.

"Just like its group name, The Wind aims to offer people a moment for healing in various ways," With US said.

The title of The Wind's first mini-album is "Beginning: The Wind Page." As of now, only the name of one member ― Jang Hyoun-joon ― has been disclosed. Details about all seven members will be gradually revealed.

On top of that, Mnet's ongoing audition program "Boys Planet" will soon give birth to another nine-member boy group. The sub-labels of HYBE ― home to K-pop behemoth BTS ― and JYP Entertainment, which houses TWICE and Stray Kids, will also both debut three boy groups each.

sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr