Photo = KQ Entertainment

 

Group XIKERS revealed behind-the-scenes stories from the making of its new song ‘OKay.’

 

XIKERS held a showcase for the release of its seventh mini album ‘ROUTE ZERO : The ORA’ at NOL Theater Hapjeong Dongyang Life Hall on the 19th. On this day, SUMIN drew attention by revealing that he had included the national anthem as backing vocals in the new song.

 

SUMIN said, “In the song ‘OKay,’ I tried putting the national anthem in as backing vocals from the fifth bar of the verse all the way to the end,” adding, “I wanted to include a lot of fun elements, and I also had a desire to promote our country, so I tried various things.”

 

Regarding the working process, MINJAE shared, “I tried preparing it according to the flow of thought that we should step away from the fixed idea that it has to be new and fun, and instead do the music I like and can do best right now,” adding, “Personally, it was a very satisfying process, and it became an album I really cherish.” He added, “I want to give this album 10 out of 10.”

 

YECHAN said, “My voice is very high-toned, so I had mainly rapped in a high tone as well, but this time, I wanted to show diverse sides of myself, so I tried putting various highs and lows of tone into the song,” adding, “I would be grateful if you listened while focusing on that.”

 

Having debuted in March 2023, XIKERS has built its own identity with a unique concept and differentiated charm in every album. With its sixth mini album ‘HOUSE OF TRICKY : WRECKING THE HOUSE,’ released last October, the group recorded 327,734 copies in initial chodong sales, achieving a career high, and its growth was recognized as it won the Next Wave Award at the 33rd Anniversary Hanteo Music Awards 2025 held this past February.

 

The seventh mini album ‘ROUTE ZERO : The ORA’ marks the starting point of a newly introduced series after wrapping up the ‘HOUSE OF TRICKY’ series, which had continued for two years and seven months since the group’s debut. The album contains a total of five tracks, including the title track ‘OKay,’ with members MINJAE, SUMIN, and YECHAN participating in the lyrics for all songs.

 

MINJAE explained, “Since we had tried various concepts from the beginning of our debut, we came to the conclusion that it might be difficult to define us in one phrase, and that from the outside, it could look a bit chaotic,” adding, “We worked hard to choose the genres we had been able to do well so far, and since we are now in our fourth year, I also think we have become more mature, so I think this album came out with a sense of unity and weight.”

 

SEEUN said, “During the period of preparing for this comeback, we discussed a lot with the company about how we could show an even higher-quality stage,” adding, “While preparing for various award ceremonies and performances, we matched our energy and teamwork, and based on that, we tried to include our growth in this album.” HYUNWOO said, “As I did a lot of vocal challenges, I feel like I’ve become closer to the recording studio, and I’m confident that I can do well no matter what genre comes.” JUNMIN added, “This time, we worked hard to show free-spirited energy, and for our individual parts, rather than only doing group practice, we spent a lot of time on individual practice to capture each person’s own individuality.”

 

XIKERS’ seventh mini album ‘ROUTE ZERO : The ORA’ will be released through various online music sites at 6 p.m. on this day. Attention is focused on what new narrative XIKERS, standing at the starting point of a new series, will write with this album.