K-Pop’s Tricksters: xikers Are the Ones to Watch
Photo: KQ Entertainment
xikers didn’t just show up on the K-Pop scene, they made sure you felt their presence from the jump. Even back when they were still known as KQ Fellaz 2, training under the same label as ATEEZ, you could tell there was something different about them. Their energy was electric, their vibe was playful and bold, and they weren’t afraid to get a little experimental with it in the best way.
xikers consists of ten talented members: Minjae, Junmin, Sumin, Jinsik, Hyunwoo, Junghoon, Seeun, Yujun, Hunter, and Yechan. Together, Minjae leads the group with strong rap and dance skills, while Junmin, Sumin, and Jinsik contribute powerful vocals and dynamic performances, complemented by Hyunwoo, Junghoon, Seeun, Yujun, Hunter, and Yechan’s unique charms and stage presence. Each member brings something different to the table, and together they create this awesome, electric vibe on stage. From the start, they felt less like rookies and more like adventurers, ready to build their own world and take fans along for the ride.
KQ Fellaz 2 and Pre-Debut
xikers’s story really started in August 2022, when KQ Entertainment began dropping pre-debut videos to introduce the members. The clips gave fans a fun first look at each trainee’s vibe and what they brought to the table, setting the stage for their chemistry as a group. Not long after, they starred in their own reality show, The Player, where they performed original songs and K-Pop covers, giving everyone a real taste of their talent and style.
Around this time, they started dropping performance videos like “Iffy” and “Geek” that really showed off their energy and stage presence, making it clear they weren’t like everyone else. They also hit a big milestone with their stage at KCON Japan, where they performed their own songs along with some K-Pop covers. One highlight was the release of “Canvas,” a pre-debut track that gave fans a taste of the rap line’s skills and showed how easily the group could switch up genres.
xikers Ongoing Evolution
xikers came in strong with their debut EP, HOUSE OF TRICKY : Doorbell Ringing, which was released in March 2023. Right away, they made a name for themselves with a playful, trickster-inspired concept and a surprisingly well-rounded debut. The EP had seven tracks, including the dual title songs: “TRICKY HOUSE” and “ROCKSTAR.” ATEEZ’s leader Hongjoong had a big hand in shaping their sound, teaming up with KQ Prod. and Eden-ary to write, compose, and arrange every track, giving the project both credibility and a creative edge.
From there, xikers kept building out their world with the House of Tricky album series. Their second EP, HOUSE OF TRICKY : HOW TO PLAY, opened up a fresh new chapter. With every comeback, they’ve gotten more confident in their sound, blending rock, hip-hop, EDM, and pop, sometimes all in one track. That mix of genres, paired with their high-energy vibe, really shines on songs like “DO or DIE” and “HOMEBOY,” which show off their rap-rock flair and pop sensibilities.
One thing about these boys? They can rap and flow on a song like no other. HOUSE OF TRICKY : Trial And Error showcases this due to the arrangements on this album, which keep things exciting. It kicks off with the moody “Trial and Error (whereabouts)” before launching into bangers like “We Don’t Stop,” which builds from a boom-bap groove into a full-blown anthem. Tracks like “Red Sun” play with gritty guitar riffs and punchy beats, switching up sounds mid-track to keep you on your toes, entranced with what will happen next.
Their fourth mini-album, HOUSE OF TRICKY : WATCH OUT, continued to push their concept further, with six tracks led by the title song “WITCH.” This one played with darker and more mysterious tones, mixing spooky and circus-like vibes with creative choreography that leaned into their trickster theme. And in April 2025, they came back again with HOUSE OF TRICKY : Spur and the title track “BREATHE,” showing they’re still evolving, still mixing genres, and still building out their unique sound and world one bold release at a time.
Dance and Performance
xikers are seriously on another level when it comes to energy on stage and in the practice room. They’ve got this mix of charisma and presence that makes every performance feel electric, that feels different from what we’re used to seeing in K-Pop. You can tell every member is all in by nailing tough choreography while still keeping the vibe fun and exciting. Their stages aren’t just technically solid; they’re a whole experience. It’s the kind of energy that makes you want to move with them.
xikers have carved out a space of their own in K-Pop with bold concepts and unforgettable performances. With every comeback, they level up by always switching things up and keeping their sound exciting and powerful. One thing’s for sure: they’re not going anywhere, so don’t sleep on the ten-member force that is xikers.
Check Out These Tracks
“Oh My Gosh”
“Run”
“Roller Coaster”
“XIKEY”
“Sandcastle”
Edited by Lacey Diluvio