The group XLOVE has embarked on a new challenge as K-pop's first "genderless" idol.
XLOVE held a showcase on the afternoon of the 27th at Gabin Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their second mini album "I,God (I, God)" and discussed the new album.
XLOVE, which debuted in January last year, is a group that aims to be the first genderless male idol in K-pop. In March, their agency 257 Entertainment was acquired by WM Entertainment Co., marking a new beginning.
Umuti said, "As the producer of this album I took on a great many challenges. This was an album that assigned a lot of homework to the members. From the time we were preparing, this album tormented me a lot, and now that it is finally being released today, I still can't believe it."
XLOVE's second mini album I,God is a new release about six months after their first mini album UXLXVE (Unlove), which was released last November. Since their debut, they used themes of incompletion and imperfection and the freedom fiercely protected within them as a springboard to finally achieve inner completeness, likening that completed state to the symbolic existence of a "god."
Umuti again took on direct album production, and Hyun and Haru also contributed to the songwriting credits on the tracks, demonstrating their musical capabilities.
Umuti said of the album, "From our debut we have had a clear concept like a continuing series with a definite story for each album. This album expresses the story that has reached the highlight of the previous album. It is an album that conveys a message that a character who was wounded and incomplete transforms into a god who is complete in one aspect and guides a new path."
The title track "SERVE" stands out for musical experimentation rarely seen in existing K-pop, maximizing XLOVE's unique charm with a diverse soundscape. It is characterized by a confident message embedded in a unique performance over a groovy beat.
Umuti explained about the title track, "As the song's creator, I would say that this is the first time we've tried the voguing genre, and I thought it was a song that could show a completely elegant, graceful and even more glamorous XLOVE. We've always shown bold styling and various outfits, hair and makeup, but there is still much we want to show. This album feels like we pulled out a little more of that. I think we can show the new styling we have been thirsty for."
He added, "Recently in K-pop songs have tended to get shorter and bridges have disappeared, but while making this album we considered that there might not be a need to emphasize only catchiness, and thought about creating a song that is flashy and like a fantasy film, and that is how this song was born."
XLOVE emphasized about the genderless concept, "We have been known to many people under the titles genderless and gender-free, and people have been curious and have loved us, but XLOVE does not want to approach this with the desire to be provocative and sensational with just the single wording 'genderless.'"
They continued, "We think of it as a lifestyle we want to express and propose. Until now we have distinguished personalities by blood type, zodiac sign and MBTI, but in our lives we wondered how one's personality and visible image could be shown as only two types, so this is the concept. It started from breaking the mold and wanting to dress like this when I look in the mirror today and thinking, 'Why not?' There isn't a music genre called genderless. Music is music, art is art, dance is dance, but this seems to be a new lifestyle we want to propose."
As XLOVE has recently been receiving great love from global fans through tours in Europe and the Americas, Hyun said, "Our performances are unconventional and sensationally presented, so perhaps people want to come see that in person. Our fans have a culture; whenever they come to shows they wear the outfits or makeup we wore, and that tradition seems to be enjoyed."
Rui said, "I think it's skill. Of course our concept is unique, but our music and skills are good, so even people who are not fans might think, 'Should I go see them once?' and come," expressing confidence.
Finally, XLOVE expressed their goal for this promotion, "Our goal is to be No. 1 on music shows. We hope to deliver our music and have our message reach people who still don't know us. Also, our goal is to sell out even larger venues."
[OSEN]