Korean rock band Xdinary Heroes / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
In the K-pop industry where dance music reigns supreme, one group continues to march to the beat of its own drum — Xdinary Heroes.
Formed under JYP Entertainment, Xdinary Heroes is the label's second rock band following the success of DAY6. The six-piece band, consisting of drummer Gunil, keyboardists Jungsu and O.de, guitarists Gaon and Junhan and bassist Jooyeon, has made waves with its dedication to live band performances, a rarity in today's electronic-heavy pop landscape.
Since its debut, the group has steadily gained a significant following with a string of distinctive, rock-infused releases.
In 2024 alone, the band has released a series of digital singles under the "Open ♭eta" project, including "Boy Comics" in June, "LOVE and FEAR" in July, "Save Me" in August and "iNSTEAD!" which dropped in September and featured veteran rock star Yoon Do-hyun of YB.
The band's success extended to the stage with its "Closed ♭eta" concert series, spanning 15 shows from April to September, all of which sold out, providing the band a valuable opportunity to connect with fans.
Xdinary Heroes members Gunil, Jungsu and Gaon / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
Building on the momentum, Xdinary Heroes is preparing to release a new mini-album, "LIVE and FALL," set to drop on Monday.
Sitting down for an interview at a cafe in Seoul's Seongdong District, Thursday, the band reflected on its journey leading up to the new release. During the session, the members showed a clear sense of artistic maturity compared to earlier interviews.
"I was out bowling the other day, and one of our songs came on at the alley. I was so excited, I ended up scoring consecutive strikes," said Gaon, one of the band's guitarists. "It's a surreal feeling hearing your own music in public. Seeing people's reactions online, hearing our songs play in random places — it's all proof that we are growing into significant artists. It makes me so happy."
Drummer Gunil echoed the sentiment. "I've gotten messages from friends telling me they have heard our music in everyday settings, like cafes or supermarkets," he said. "Knowing that more people are listening to our songs really makes me feel like we are reaching new heights."
According to the Xdinary Heroes members, the upcoming "LIVE and FALL" album, featuring the lead single "Night before the end," reveals a more "vulnerable, human side of their artistry."
Xdinary Heroes members Junhan, O.de and Jooyeon / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
"In the past, our albums were more introspective, expressing inner pain in abstract ways," Gaon said. "This time, we're being more open with our emotions. We're looking outward, engaging with the world around us. This album is about being human — capturing the full spectrum of emotions: joy, anger, sorrow and everything in between."
"Night before the end," a poignant rock ballad, centers on the concept of an impending end of the world. Reflecting on its creation, Jooyeon expressed his confidence in the track.
"We only had the melody finished, and the lyrics weren't written yet," he said. "But as we listened to it, we all felt the same way — this had to be the title track. There was something so powerful in the melody alone, and we all knew it was special from the first listen."
Following the album release, Xdinary Heroes will hold three solo concerts at Olympic Hall in southeastern Seoul's Songpa District from Nov. 15 to 17. The venue holds special meaning for the group, as it hosted their very first concert.
"Performing at Olympic Hall again feels like coming full circle," Gaon said. "Our first show there was a turning point for us, and we have grown so much since then. This time, we are performing for twice the audience. It reminds us of where we started and motivates us to give even more for the fans who have supported us."