[Interview] Xdinary Heroes: "Farewell Is Just Another Word for 'Beginning,' Not the End"

Xdinary Heroes. Provided by JYP Entertainment

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"We want to become a 'white-haired band.' We always talk about it. As long as we are alive, let's stay together. That's our unwavering goal."

After establishing themselves as the “next-generation K-pop super band” with last year’s world tour, their performance at Lollapalooza Chicago, and opening for British rock band Muse’s concert in Korea, Xdinary Heroes is embarking on their first journey of the year. Meeting the members at a cafe in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 15th, they said, "Everything comes to an end, and that end is a new possibility we will create," adding, "With this album, we wanted to highlight heroes who, even after being shaken or falling down, get back up on their own."

Their 8th mini album, 'DEAD AND,' set to be released at 1 p.m. on the 17th, is a record of their deepest musical dive into the theme of 'farewell.' The key concepts of this album are 'death' and 'goodbye.' Geonil explained the intent behind the album, saying, "If our previous work 'Love to Death' dealt with the beginning of love, this time we wanted to talk about its end. Death is the most universal theme that all living beings, regardless of age or gender, can relate to." Jooyeon added, "It has a double meaning, including breakups with loved ones or death. We wanted to express the longing that comes from saying goodbye and the growth that blossoms within that."

For them, 'the end' is not the final stop of sadness. Jeongsoo shared, "When I started training as a hopeful idol, I reached one ending, which became a turning point for me to start again as part of this band. Rather than mourning endings, I try to focus on new possibilities and live positively." Geonil emphasized, "Moments from my youth or memories with friends that passed by before I knew they were farewells ultimately made me the person I am today. I wanted to leave a message that facing the end can be a positive comfort and a sign of a new beginning."

The title track, "Voyager," uses the theme of a journey. Their determination to continue the journey, even after reaching a point of no return, is reflected in "Voyager 1." Gaon explained, "The introduction, which starts with a synth line, feels like a shooting star falling. We wanted to express a mysterious space-outer space-as a backdrop and convey areas beyond human understanding."

The new release features a total of seven songs, including the pre-released track "X room," "Helium Balloon," which depicts the calm acceptance at the end of a relationship, and "No Cool Kids Zone," which wittily addresses envy towards cool kids. All members are credited on every track, showcasing their abilities. Jooyeon expressed musical pride, saying, "Instead of working with mass appeal in mind, we focus on creating music that we find fun and want to make at the highest quality, and naturally, the title track emerges from that process."

Extraordinary Heroes. Provided by JYP Entertainment

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Their greatest weapon as a K-pop band is their live performance. Jooyeon said, "We design our music so that there are sections for fans to sing along at concerts and instrumentals to control the flow. I’m happiest when the audience picks up on that intention at a festival, waving flags and jumping in unison." Geonil evaluated, "Jeongsoo and Jooyeon's contrasting vocal styles are our unique strength, and the thrill of their parts crossing over is heightened even more in this album."

Global stage experience has made them even stronger. Geonil described the moment they opened for Muse’s concert in Korea as “the honor of a lifetime.” He said, "After completing what felt like a dream stage, the memory of meeting the Muse members for two or three minutes to greet and take photos will stay with me forever." Reflecting on their Lollapalooza Chicago stage, Junhan said, "My memories are fragmented because I was so focused, but the certainty that the audience enjoyed our performance is crystal clear." Gaon added, "I was deeply moved seeing people across the ocean respond to Korean artists’ songs. One day, I hope to become the first ever to perform on the moon."

Toward the end of the interview, when asked about his now-famous “definition of nuna” on a radio show, Gaon laughed sheepishly. He said, "While DJing with Jeongsoo, we read a listener’s story about the line between ajumma and nuna, and we joked about it. Afterward, I got a flood of messages from nunas." Geonil chimed in, "I really like nunas," causing the whole room to burst into laughter.

Xdinary Heroes dreams of an even bigger stage. Geonil said, "My dream is to stand on the main stage at Jamsil Olympic Stadium during a fireworks show." Junhan named the Olympic opening ceremony stage as his goal, and Gaon cited induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as his ultimate ambition.

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