Welcome to The K-pop Chat, a monthly column dedicated to all things K-pop. In collaboration with the bunni pop newsletter, join writer Samantha Lui as she rolls out lists, content and interviews to keep you updated on the latest from the K-pop industry. For more K-pop content in your inboxes, subscribe to bunni pop for weekly posts.
Since XDINARY HEROES’ arrival to the music scene in December 2021, the South Korean rock band has been known for their versatility.
At the core of their identity is the band’s ability to write, compose and produce their own songs. But their charm has always been their skills in switching up their style dramatically.
The band’s debut single “Happy Death Day” is a grungy punk rock song that describes feelings of disillusionment and existential dread. But in the years that followed, XDINARY HEROES have also proved they can seamlessly pull off sentimental pop-rock ballads (as seen in “Good Enough”) or rap rock bangers like “Freakin’ Bad.”
Though in 2024, the sextet—composed of Gun-il, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Jun Han and Jooyeon—embarked on their most ambitious project yet. In April, XDINARY HEROES released their first full-length studio album Troubleshooting, which marked the start of a months-long challenge called the Xperiment Project.
Xperiment Project was created to push the band’s limits when it comes to composing new songs and performing on stage. Split into two parts, Open ♭eta and Closed ♭eta, Xperiment Project challenged XDINARY HEROES to release a new single and hold a concert each month.
Since June, the band has released four singles: “Boy Comics”, “LOVE and FEAR”, “Save me” and “iNSTEAD!”
Those four songs released now make up half of XDINARY HEROES’ latest EP LIVE and FALL, which was released on October 14.
Like previous releases, each track on the album has its own distinct and unique sound. “Save Me”, a sentimental alt-rock song released in August, describes vulnerable feelings of despair and being lost, with band members crying to God to try and help them find a way forward. Meanwhile, “iNSTEAD!”, released in September, marks one of XDINARY HEROES’ heaviest tracks yet. Going full metal, the band enlisted the help of Korean rock legend Yoon Do Hyun to perform on the track.
Yoon is the founder and lead vocalist of YB, a rock band that has been active in South Korea since 1996. YB is known for their explosive performances and relatable and direct lyrics. The badass energy channeled by Yoon was something XDINARY HEROES were in awe of.
“Every moment with Yoon Do Hyun was like a dream and literally an honour to me!” said XDINARY HEROES’ bassist Jooyeon in an interview with RepresentASIAN Project, noting that he also learned a lot from the veteran musician when it comes to mindset and attitude on stage.
That collaboration was just one of the many goals XDINARY HEROES were able to achieve by embarking on the Xperiment Project.
According to guitarist and vocalist Gaon, the challenge helped the band grow as artists, giving them the opportunity to show off their versatility as musicians. Jun Han, a fellow guitarist, said the project allowed him to experiment with new strumming patterns and study his instrument better.
Choosing to name the EP LIVE and FALL was also fitting for the band, who often sings about the ups and downs of life while growing up in their 20s.
“I hope everybody who listens to our songs can get comfort and cheer,” said O.de, who plays the synthesizer and also raps and sings.
“I hope that it will be an album that can [give] you joy when you’re happy and relieve your hardships when you’re struggling.”
XDINARY HEROES was formed by the label JYP Entertainment, a top entertainment company in South Korea who also manages popular K-pop acts like TWICE and Stray Kids.
However, XDINARY HEROES’ edgier looks and sound are a departure from the clean-cut facade and strive for perfectionism that is often expected of K-pop idols. Though ironically, O.de and keyboardist Jungsu initially trained to be in a K-pop group before being put into a rock band.
Over the years, XDINARY HEROES say they built chemistry as a team by having long and honest conversations with each other about their musical direction, even if it has sometimes led to debates and disagreements. According to Gaon, the group has since become like family to each other.
“The moment I felt that we were one was when I couldn’t properly convey my feelings without the members on stage [with me],” he said. “These days there are no arguments or disagreements. We all know each other and respect each other.”
Inspired by the likes of Muse, Green Day and My Chemical Romance, leader and drummer Gun-il says XDINARY HEROES is proud to be part of a growing rock band scene in Korea that includes acts like The Rose, LUCY, ONEWE and DAY6 (who are also under JYP).
“I think there’s power that only rock music can give,” Gun-il said. “In my case, I always get great comfort and strength.”
As a team, XDINARY HEROES often work on every aspect of their songs together, from the melody, rhythm and lyrics.
Because the songs on LIVE and FALL were created as part of a challenge to push XDINARY HEROES to try new sounds, the band decided to write songs around broader themes such as emotions like “joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure.”
That duality can be seen through tracks like “LOVE and FEAR” and “Night before the end”. The former is an upbeat alternative rock track that explores two sides of falling in love. While the latter is a somber ballad that talks of the despair one feels following the fallout of a relationship.
“We always focus on sincerely conveying the emotions in our hearts through rhythm and melody,” Gun-il said.
“The songs on LIVE and FALL are a combination of the thoughts and feelings we want to say to the world at the moment.”
Three years since XDINARY HEROES’ debut, the band says they are proud of their growth as songwriters and performers, as well as the relationship they have built with their loyal fandom known as Villains.
This past July, the group performed for the first time in North America, playing shows in New York and Los Angeles. The members add that getting to meet their supporters have only grown their ambitions together as a band.
Among their dreams are sweeping the music charts around the world and playing in big venues like Wembley Stadium in England and the Seoul Olympic Stadium in their home country. But in the long term, XDINARY HEROES say they want to become a “pioneer” of rock music in Korea.
“I’m just so thankful,” O.de said. “We were able to go far and try harder because there have been people who have been watching our performance since our debut. We won’t forget our gratitude and we’ll continue to move forward for as long as we can.”
Like this post? Follow The RepresentASIAN Project on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to keep updated on the latest content.
