X:IN K-pop group interview: On their third mini album Defend Myself, their creative process, and India connection

In their third mini album Defend Myself , X:IN delves into thriving under the spotlight and being their most authentic selves. We speak to the five-member multinational K-pop group on their music, and more

For multi-national K-pop group X:IN, working on their latest mini album Defend Myself has been a deeply reflective and personal journey. 

The five member group — comprising Korean members E:sha, Nizz, and Hannah, Russian member Nova and Indian member Aria — is currently basking in the aftermath of the album’s release in May. When the group debuted in 2023, they garnered significant attention in India for having a member from Kerala, Aria. Aria is among the few artistes of Indian origin in K-pop, which includes Sriya Lenka from Odisha who is a part of the K-pop group Blackswan.

Presenting an autobiographical narrative of their inner conflict and emotional turmoil in Defend Myself, the group also consciously emphasises on protecting themselves amidst all the chaos, in the songs of this third mini- album. “We focussed on the vulnerabilities and challenges of being in the spotlight. All of us were keenly involved in the creation of this album,” says E:Sha, the group’s leader. Speaking from Seoul via a Zoom call, the group is all smiles and eager to talk about their journey thus far, and what lies ahead. 

While they have actively been a part of the creative process and their songs in the past, Aria calls their increased involvement in Defend Myself a ‘huge stepping stone’. “This was a significant learning experience for us,” she says. 

Since their debut in April 2023, X:IN has released two mini albums and also notably collaborated with Russian singer TSOY on the digital single ‘Seoul- Moskva’ which featured lyrics in Russian, English and Korean.

Of the four tracks in Defend Myself, the title track ‘Attention Seeker’ explores the members’ image, vulnerability and longing to be seen as well as what it takes to be their authentic selves. A slick music video pictured on the group was shot in a desert as well, and Hannah recalls how they were initially worried about wearing sandals and slippers in the dust and heat there, and possible snake sightings. While they thankfully did not have any reptilian encounters, Nova laughs about how uncooperative the wind was. “We set up a shot wanting my dress to swish and flutter around me, only for the winds to stop the minute we began shooting,” she says. 

The autobiographical track ‘Almost Done’ however seems to be the group’s favourite, which chronicles their growth and the work they have put in through hard times. “Writing the lyrics for this song felt special because I felt like it showcases my story, and my journey in the industry. It was a difficult track, but I like how the song sounds and our voices blend well,” Nova says. “I could imagine myself on stage, and how I would express myself while performing this song,” Hannah chimes in.