On May 10, amid the U.S. leg of their solo tour, rising K-Pop powerhouse xikers made a high-energy detour to the iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM Wango Tango Presented by Fiji Airways.
As one of the first K-Pop acts to grace the iconic Wango Tango stage, the ten-member group amplified the beachside heat with their intense songs and charisma. Dressed in coordinated red “xikers” hoodies and distressed denim, MINJAE, JUNMIN, SUMIN, JINSIK, HYUNWOO, JUNGHOON, SEEUN, YUJUN, HUNTER, and YECHAN kept their talking ments to a minimum, maximizing their stage time with back-to-back performances that left no room for distractions.
From the opening beats of their newest title track “BREATHE” and their iconic debut hit “TRICKY HOUSE,” to the fan-favorites “HOMEBOY” and “WE DON’T STOP,” xikers delivered a compact but explosive set that left no doubt they came to make a statement. The performance included a standout moment during “KOONG” where the members broke out the song’s signature striped umbrella choreography, earning cheers from the audience. Despite the L.A. heat, the group maintained their trademark stamina and precision, powering through each track fueled by the roaring screams from their fans, called road𝓨s.
“Today, the audience was insane! We received lots of energy from them,” said HUNTER on the Wango Tango red carpet following their performance. “The weather was also really good, vibes were really good, so we really enjoyed it!”
xikers’ Wango Tango appearance served as a high-energy teaser for their upcoming headline show at The Novo on May 17—the final U.S. stop on the U.S. leg of their 2025 WORLD TOUR Road to XY: Enter the Gate. The tour comes on the heels of their fifth mini album, HOUSE OF TRICKY : SPUR, released in April, signifying the next chapter for the group.
In between schedules, Kpopconcerts.com caught up with xikers to talk about their latest album, how they’ve evolved since their debut, and what it took to prepare for this world tour.
KPC: Congratulations on the release of your latest album, HOUSE OF TRICKY : SPUR! “Spur” is a really loaded word. What does the title HOUSE OF TRICKY : SPUR and this new era mean to you all?
MINJAE: The new album HOUSE OF TRICKY : SPUR captures our determination to break free from the maze that once held us back and boldly forge our own path. We hope to become a spark — something only xikers can be — that ignites passion and inspires others from within.
KPC: Welcome back JUNGHOON! This comeback marked your return to group activities. How does it feel to be back with the team again? Was it a tough transition—not just preparing for the comeback, but also getting ready for this tour?
JUNGHOON: Getting back on stage and seeing our road𝓨s again made this promotion period really meaningful and fun for me. On top of that, preparing brand new songs for the tour — ones we hadn’t performed before — brought the members even closer together.
KPC: MINJAE, SUMIN, YECHAN—your fingerprints are all over this album as lyricists. What was it like working on the songs for this album? How do you know when a lyric is done? Is there a moment when you just feel it’s right?
MINJAE: I usually try to blend melody into my rap, and I’m always searching for lines that really stand out — something unique that only I could deliver and that instantly catches the listener’s ear. When I find a line like that, that’s when I know the verse is complete. People often say grabbing attention right from the start is one of my strengths, so I focus a lot on crafting a powerful opening.
SUMIN: Working on this album was a lot of fun, and we had the chance to experiment with a lot of new things. Over time, our voices have matured, and I think that allowed us to explore different tones and flows. For me, the album truly felt complete once we brought the songs to the stage — that’s when everything really came together.
YECHAN: I usually start by recording a guide track, and if something doesn’t feel quite right, I go back and make adjustments. Once I listen to the final version and it clicks — when it feels just right — that’s when I know it’s complete.
KPC: What’s a lyric from this new album that stands out to you compared to anything you’ve released before?
HYUNWOO: In one of the B-side tracks from our new album, ‘Rock Your Body,’ there’s a line that goes, ‘Oh, a night like music to my ears. Oh, I’m getting goosebumps.’ It really stood out to me because it felt like the first time one of our songs had such emotional and almost sentimental lyrics. It was something completely new for us.
JINSIK: In the lyrics of ‘You Hide, We Seek,’ one of the B-side tracks from this album, there’s a line that goes, ‘Step on you and get on top like my flow.’ It carries a bold, intense energy, and I think it gives off a stronger and cooler vibe compared to the tracks from our previous album, just like how xikers has grown.
KPC: If this comeback is a message, what do you hope it “spurs” in the people listening?
HUNTER: Sometimes I receive letters from road𝓨s saying that our music motivates them when they’re feeling down or going through tough times. Every time I hear that our music has had a positive impact on someone’s life, it makes me feel so proud and happy to be part of xikers. If this comeback carries a message, I hope it can inspire people to push through difficult times, help them stay focused on their goals, or even just motivate them to go to the gym!
KPC: You’re currently on your 2025 World Tour [Road to XY : Enter the Gate]. How was it preparing for it? What part feels most different from your last tour, TRICKY HOUSE : FIRST ENCOUNTER?
SUMIN: Over the past two years, we’ve grown and learned so much as xikers, and I feel like even the same songs now give off a more mature vibe compared to when we first performed them. Also, getting to showcase so many songs and stages for the first time on this tour, Road to XY : Enter the Gate, makes it feel even more special to me.
SEEUN: The biggest difference is that we’re finally doing the tour with all ten members. I also believe we’ve grown and developed a lot since the last tour, so I’m confident we’ll be able to show an even better side of ourselves this time.
KPC: In another interview, you’ve said that “BREATHE” might be one of your most powerful choreographies yet — almost like “Red Sun,” which you’ve called your most physically intense. How do you all build up and maintain stamina for high-energy songs like these, especially on tour?
JUNMIN: First off, we do a lot of dancing to prepare for the tour. Since the choreography is so intense, it actually helps us build more stamina than regular workouts. In other words, dance practice itself helps us maintain the stamina we need for the stage. On the other hand, when we’re on the road, it’s really important to make sure we get enough rest so we can stay energized for each show.
KPC: You recently celebrated your 2nd anniversary. Congratulations! If debut-era xikers walked into the room today, what do you think they’d be proud of—and what advice would you give them?
JUNGHOON: I’m really glad that we’ve been able to approach everything with so much passion, as one team, while preparing for this comeback and the tour. I hope we can continue to show that powerful synergy as all ten members to our beloved fans, just as we always have.
SEEUN: I think we can all be proud of how much we’ve grown and everything we’ve accomplished together since our debut two years ago. If I could give any advice to debut-era xikers, it would be to keep growing and moving forward, just like we are now — one steady step at a time.
KPC: You’ve built a universe with five EPs, but also a bond with ten people. What’s the one moment—on or off stage—that made you feel like this wasn’t just a group, it was YOUR group?
YUJUN: I think our unique energy and synergy really come through—whether we’re practicing or performing on stage. And the way we constantly joke around and have fun with each other off stage has made our bond even stronger. That’s when it really feels like this isn’t just a group—it’s our group.
JUNMIN: While preparing for this album, I definitely felt it—both the songs and choreography have a unique quality that only xikers can truly pull off. It’s thanks to our distinct style and the way all ten of us bring our energy together. I think Minjae’s leadership during practice played a huge role in helping us stay focused and bring everything together as a team.
KPC: Your universe has a character named TRICKY who serves as a guide. Who or what has been your real-life TRICKY in the past year?
YUJUN: In real life, our leader, MINJAE has often been like our own TRICKY. Whether it’s during practice or when he shares thoughts on how we can improve and move forward, his guidance has really felt like a roadmap for us over the past year.
KPC: You’ve said road𝓨 is your Y-coordinate. What’s something they’ve taught you about yourselves that you never expected to learn?
HYUNWOO: Before debuting, there was a time when I didn’t think my smile looked great. But after debuting, our road𝓨s told me that I look my best when I’m smiling—and because of them, I’ve come to love my smile the most.
YECHAN: road𝓨 always compliments me and gives me the energy to push through any hardships, which has really boosted my self-esteem and how I view myself. Because of that, my love and support for them has only grown stronger, too.
KPC: Thank you for your time! Do you have anything you would like to say to your international road𝓨?
HUNTER: We hope you’re looking forward to our world tour Road to XY : Enter the Gate and that you’ll continue enjoying our music. Thank you for all the constant love and support during this comeback. Can’t wait to see you and love you all!
2025 WORLD TOUR [Road To XY : Enter the Gate] IN U.S. wraps up today, May 17, at The Novo in Los Angeles, CA. Keep an eye on their official website for future updates and more information about their world tour.