INTERVIEW: DXMON Reveals Who Inspired Them, Favorite Tracks and The Hair
While people were still recovering from New Years festivities, the first boy group under SSQ Entertainment, DXMON, released their pre-debut single “Burn Up” on New Year’s Day. A couple weeks later on January 17, they made their debut with the mini-album HYPERSPACE. The Kraze was thrilled to join in the media roundtable to ask our questions and chat with Minjae, Seita, Hee, TK, Rex, and Jo about their new songs, things that interest them and their styles. Even seated they exuded the high level of energy that was shown in “Burn Up.” With distinctive hair styling that recalls TVXQ! and anime, youthful vibrancy and a passion that will knock you over, let’s read DXMON’s responses to our roundtable questions.
Starting out with their introductions, they each let us know their role before breaking out into our questions.
Hello, my name is Rex, the rapper and the visual member of DXMON.
Hi, my name is Minjae and I'm the leader and the main vocalist of DXMON.
Hi, my name is TK, and I'm the rapper of DXMON.
Hello, my name is Hee, the rap machine of DXMON.
Hi, this is Jo, the rapper and the youngest member of the group.
Hi, my name is Seita from Japan, the vocalist of DXMON.
After intros were done, everyone was ready to go!
Q*: Members Hee and Jo had very striking haircuts this comeback. What initiated the bold styling decisions?"
Jo: The idea for the hairstyle was initially proposed by the C.E.O during the concept meeting. Upon seeing the sample photo, I was immediately drawn to its uniqueness. At first, I questioned whether it would truly suit me, but upon trying the hairstyle and looking in the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the hairstyle looked great on me. Then I experimented with various poses, gestures, and even rapped with this hairstyle and I became certain that it was a perfect fit for me.
Q*: Your title track is called "SPARK." What was the moment that you felt a spark recently?
REX: For me, it was during the debut showcase. As we presented our stage for the first time to our fans, I felt that spark within me. It was a moment of pure joy.
MINJAE: I'm getting that spark even at this moment. It is very exciting for me to see all of you here with such interest in our group, and I promise to consistently showcase developed and improved versions of ourselves as we move forward.
Q*: How does your style tie into your music and your aesthetic?
MJ: There are two title tracks in this album. The first one, "SPARK," talks about our days as trainees, and "Burn Up" narrates our story after debut, symbolizing our determination to burn brightly.
Q*: Do you have any particular inspirational figure or visual?
R: I highly respect Felix from Stray Kids.
MJ: For me, it is Baekhyun from EXO.
TK: I respect Minhyuk from BTOB.
Hee: I look up to ATEEZ.
J: As an idol, I really respect NCT. I also personally look up to Pharrell Williams as well.
Seita: I respect BTS.
Q*: Can you tell me your favorite memory from your training as DXMON?
R: The CEO provided us with the opportunity to visit the U.S. and Japan, where we had the chance to learn from various instructors. I really enjoyed the learning experience and the time spent with all of them.
Q*: How do you deal with the responsibility of debuting so young?
J: Being young, I believe we have the confidence to navigate through challenges. We are committed to giving our best, with the dream to become superb artists as time progresses and we gain more experience.
Q*: Among all the songs from your debut album, are they any songs or special points that listeners should pay attention to?
MJ: TK has a part in the third verse of the song "N.W.B" where he sings as if he is whispering. It's a unique element that I've never heard before, so I recommend using headphones when listening to this specific section of the song.
Q*: Where do you see your group a year from now?
TK: I think DXMON a year from now will retain its essence but will have matured further, showcasing enhanced skills and a more relaxed stage presence during performances.
Q: "Burn Up" and "Spark" have different sounds. Individually, which song connects with you the most?
R: I choose "Burn Up." It has all the elements that I want to show, including a powerful performance and a great melody.
MJ: I love the track, "SPARK" because it is easy on the ears yet can become exciting and calm at the right moments. I love that aspect of this song.
TK: I choose "SPARK" because I like songs that are easy to listen to. The melody of "SPARK" carries an R&B vibe, yet the strong and intense beat is a unique blend that I haven't encountered before. Additionally, the song's story about beginning a journey resonates with me, and I find it very appealing.
H: I choose the track "N.W.B." The song is exclusively composed of rap verses which are delivered like whispers. Despite the consistent whispering tone, each rap verse has a distinct rhythm and flow, making it easy for listeners to engage with its unique rhythm.
J: I resonate with the song "Burn Up" because of its intense and powerful beat, which complements our bold style and concept. The hairstyle also complements the vibe well. I believe it is a great song and perfectly fitting as the title track of this album.
ST: I also choose "Burn Up" because it effectively captures our passion and energy, showcasing the essence of DXMON exceptionally well.
Q: Any hobby or skill that each of you have that you can tell us about?
ST: I love playing musical instruments so I've been practicing playing drums lately.
R: I enjoy working out, so love doing weight training or playing soccer.
MJ: I have a deep love for listening to and singing songs, constantly seeking out new ones that resonate with me. Stay tuned for more as I share my singing with my beautiful voice.
TK: Since I was young, drawing and painting have been my hobbies. You can witness my genuine happiness when I draw and paint, and I consider it another charming aspect of myself.
H: My hobby is bowling. Whenever we have free time or during waiting periods, we often go bowling.
J: I'm really into fashion, so I like to watch fashion runway shows as my hobby. As for my talent, I am quite proficient with traditional musical instruments, especially percussion.
Q*: What are some goals that you have and want to achieve as a group?
MJ: It is our goal to get our song onto the Billboard charts. REX previously said he had a goal he wants to achieve.
R: Also, it is our goal to perform at Coachella.
MJ: Yes, that's true. We have two goals that we want to achieve as a group.
Q*: Both "Burn Up" and "SPARK" are fire-related. Can you talk more about what that means?
MJ: The fire in the track "SPARK" represents a small fire caused by static, symbolizing our time spent as trainees. On the other hand, the fire in the track "Burn Up" signifies a large, intense fire, marking the beginning of the group after our debut. It tells the audience about our powerful energy and performances.
Final words by MINJAE on behalf of DXMON: Thank you for your time, and we won't forget your love and interest. We hope you look forward to seeing us evolve, and we will always give our best. Thank you!
Thank you to SSQ Entertainment, Helix Publicity, fellow media colleagues and most of all to DXMON for such great answers. Congratulations on your debut and we hope to see you at a concert nearby soon!
*Questions asked by other media outlets.
