xikers Breaks 7-Month Hiatus with 'HOUSE OF TRICKY : TRIAL AND ERROR', Showcasing 'Unrestrained Madness'

The 'performance monsters', boy group xikers, are back after a seven-month hiatus with a new musical chapter. Their sixth mini-album, 'HOUSE OF TRICKY : TRIAL AND ERROR', marks the conclusion of xikers' journey towards the 'unknown,' a core theme for the group. This release goes beyond their signature synchronized choreography to reveal an ambition fueled by 'unrestrained madness.'

Leader Minjae shared his feelings about the comeback, stating, "We felt sorry for not being able to perform in Korea frequently, so we prepared even harder." The seven-month gap felt long not just for the fans, but for the members too. Yechan expressed his eagerness, saying, "I was itching to tell everyone when we were coming back."

The hiatus served not as a break, but as a catalyst for growth. Following their fifth album, xikers successfully completed concerts in Korea and a tour across North America, gaining valuable experience in the heart of the entertainment industry. Minjae recalled the tour, "I was overwhelmed by the scale of the venues seen from the airplane. Just when I thought I was getting used to performing, seeing those stages humbled me and made me realize it was an unbelievable feat."

As the younger group from KQ Entertainment, following ATEEZ, xikers garnered significant attention even before their debut by opening for ATEEZ's concerts. Yechan commented, "It motivated us to work hard and aspire to be like them. I really wanted to showcase our music in as many places as possible this time, and we've achieved that dream."

The most significant change in this album lies in their performance. Minjae, proud of the title '4th Generation Performance Powerhouse,' emphasized, "It's a nickname we cherish, and we strived to embody that title by delivering powerful energy and impact." They are attempting to 'break through limits' beyond their past frameworks. Instead of their usual powerful, shouting stages, they now captivate audiences with a structured, refined approach. Hyunwoo stated, "This time, we wanted to show a different kind of coolness and composure."

The title track, 'SUPER KICK,' expresses the will to "transcend limits with xikers' unique energy, unbound by existing frameworks." The point choreography, mimicking the action of drinking an energy drink, symbolizes their overflowing vitality. Junmin shared, "While synchronized choreography is comfortable, our goal this time was to practice so each member's individuality could shine. When you're fully immersed and enjoying the stage, freestyle naturally emerges." Yechan added, "We want to be a group that performs without holding back, doing what we want on stage. We agreed with the members to just go out there and have fun."

xikers' worldview continues to resemble a 'shonen manga.' It can be defined as the process of individuals gathering to pursue their desires, overcoming hardships and adversity, and breaking through limitations. Their narrative of encountering villains and growing through solidarity in each series is a powerful formula for success. As this series marks the end of a long journey, their goals are more earnest than ever.

Yechan expressed a strong ambition: "We've never won first place on a music show, but we really want to this time. I also want us to achieve a higher ranking on the Billboard 200 chart than last time." Seyong added, "Through this sixth album's promotions, I want to leave a performance that we can be proud of at the year-end awards ceremonies."

Korean netizens are reacting enthusiastically to xikers' comeback, with comments like 'Worth the 7-month wait!', 'This concept is amazing,' 'Loving xikers' new unrestrained energy,' and 'SUPER KICK choreography is insane.' Many are showing support for their specific goals of winning a music show trophy and climbing the Billboard 200, with fans exclaiming, 'Let's win first place this time!' and 'Billboard 200 is definitely achievable!'