"It's not that we didn't do it, but that we chose not to." JYP's Xdinary Heroes, the 'Hero' who sings comfort, sets sail [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"It is not an end, but a starting point toward new possibilities."

On the eve of their fifth debut anniversary, the boy band Xdinary Heroes (hereinafter Xdinary Heroes) has raised the anchor of an unending voyage. With musical confidence so solid that they themselves rated their new album 90 points, they have fully equipped themselves with their signature cheerful and quirky charm, declaring, "Everyone under Senior Bae Cheol-soo is my older brother." They are now ready to take flight as 'Music Heroes' who deliver refreshing comfort to the entire world.

Xdinary Heroes (Geon-il, Jung-su, Ga-on, Odd, Jun-han, Ju-yeon) recently held a roundtable interview at a cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the release of their eighth mini-album, 'DEAD AND'.

'DEAD AND' is a new album carrying the message that "everything has an end, and that end is the new possibility we will create." As always, all members contributed to the credits of every track, enhancing the album's quality. The keyword permeating the entire album is 'voyage.' Xdinary Heroes, suggesting not a period but another beginning and possibility, spotlighted those who, even when colliding, shaking, and falling, stand up again on their own, as 'Heroes.'

The title track 'Voyager' is a declaration of youth that believes even if it burns brightly and disappears, it will shine again. It is a track that expresses the firm resolve to continue the journey even after reaching a point of no return, likening it to 'Voyager 1,' which left Earth and continued its voyage.

When asked about the feedback he received from JYP Entertainment (hereinafter JYP) Park Jin-yeong (CEO) producer after completing the 'DEAD AND' project, Geon-il said, "Since the album has not yet been released, I haven't asked for feedback yet. During the album-making process, there is a Messenger group chat where PD-nim Park Jin-young and we are all together, and he often sends content that would be good to reference. Once, he showed us a video of an artist he likes and respects, saying, 'Jun-han, this is a guitarist I like. It would be good to reference.' Even though he is such a busy senior, he took time out to give musical advice, and I felt grateful, thinking, 'He must be receiving so much love.'"

DAY6, who share the same pot of rice at JYP, have also shown infinite affection for Xdinary Heroes. Recently, Wonpil praised Xdinary Heroes' musicality and band capabilities in a comeback interview.

Regarding this, Odd said, "I saw Wonpil-nim's interview article. I felt good. Recently, the DAY6 seniors came to our concert, and at that time, Wonpil-nim said, 'Only you guys can produce this kind of sound in Korea. You're doing well. We support you.' I am so grateful, then and now. Since he said such nice things, we will fight even harder to become a band as big as the DAY6 seniors."

When asked about his satisfaction with 'DEAD AND,' Ju-yeon conveyed that he gave it 90 points. He said, "Personally, I think it's an album with a high score, around 85 to 90 points, and I am proud of it. I think the music we are creating is becoming broader in terms of genre, and each individual's color is becoming more solid. Now, there is a sense of expectation that we are also releasing albums in the 85th to 90-point range. I thought that if we gave it 100 points, there might not be enough motivation to develop further, so we are trying to leave a tiny bit of expectation and keep developing."

Earlier, Ga-on appeared on a radio show and created a buzz by establishing a new standard for 'aunties' that has never existed in the world. At the time, Ga-on said, "Anyone under 100 is a sister. Anyone over 100 is a big sister. There are no aunties in this world," shaking the hearts of sisters fans worldwide.

Also, during the interview held that day, Xdinary Heroes referred to JYP's head, Park Jin-young, as 'older brother' or 'senior brother.' So, what is the standard for uncles that Ga-on established?

Ga-on said, "After the video was uploaded, many people contacted me. Even my school teacher contacted me asking, 'Am I a sister too?' As for the uncle standard, the oldest senior brother among the seniors is Senior Bae Cheol-soo. Even though he is the oldest senior, we still call him 'senior brother.' Everyone below him is considered my older brother."

Xdinary Heroes debuted in December 2021 and are approaching their fifth debut anniversary this year. During this time, which is neither short nor long, in what aspects do they feel they have grown?

Ju-yeon said, "As the time spent with music has grown longer, it has now taken a large place in a corner of our lives, becoming an indispensable part. Because of this, when burnout hits or things get tough, we can relieve stress by making music, writing down our lives, expressing them, and imagining and expressing our future. At such times, I feel that we have grown, realizing, 'We are becoming one with music.' Also, it seems strange that new ways of expression, emotions, and colors are emerging that are different from before."

Ga-on continued, "If we were asked to work on an album right now, as we did in the early days of our debut, we would wonder, 'Can we do it well?' After 1 or 2 years, as we age year by year, the depth of life changes. It seems that the depth of lyrics I can write, the depth of melodies, and instruments are changing. While making music so far, I have felt that 'there is music suitable for each period of life.'"

So, what kind of 'Hero' does Xdinary Heroes want to be etched in the public's mind? Ju-yeon said, "I hope they are recognized as a band that is becoming a unique band and musician with its own distinct color. I also want to give the impression that 'Xdinary Heroes didn't do this before because they couldn't, not because they chose not to.' We are establishing Xdinary Heroes' identity and color, and we expect the moment when the whole world recognizes Xdinary Heroes to come."

Jeong-su said, "Xdinary Heroes is making music while putting forward the slogan 'We are all heroes.' Even after looking at the current album, we are making bold and hard music, but the message contained within it holds meaning that can comfort or clear up the lives of those living in this world. Since this album also brings bold music, I hope it becomes an album that can offer comfort through these songs."

Xdinary Heroes' eighth mini-album 'DEAD AND' was released at 1 p.m. on the 17th through various online music sites.

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*This content was translated by AI.