What Is X-Pop? XG’s Sound, K-Pop Roots and U.S. Tour
Watch XG’s “SHOOTING STAR” on the official YouTube channel
You know K-pop. But have you heard of X-pop?
Play “SHOOTING STAR” above, and the question becomes more interesting. There is a playful bounce to the rap and beat that catches my attention. It feels cute in its own way, even within a confident, polished presentation. That combination makes me curious about the musical direction behind the name.
As Asian pop becomes an increasingly visible part of the global music conversation, I find X-pop an interesting experiment. XG offers a way to explore that idea through music: seven Japanese members, English-language songs, and a career closely connected to South Korea’s pop industry.
See XG in the United States This November
For readers who want to experience the group on stage, these four U.S. dates are currently listed for XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE. All dates below are local to the venue.
| Date, 2026 | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 3 | Oakland, California | Oakland Arena |
| November 5 | Los Angeles, California | Crypto.com Arena |
| November 9 | Chicago, Illinois | United Center |
| November 14 | Newark, New Jersey | Prudential Center |
For Southern California readers, the November 5 Los Angeles show is the local stop to consider. Visit the official tour page for ticket links and updates. Ticket availability and prices can change.
Schedule checked October 16, 2026 (Pacific Time). The previously announced Dallas show on November 17 and Mexico City show on November 22 were cancelled in an October 6 announcement. Hamilton, Canada, remains a separate North American stop on November 12.
Meet XG—and the Idea Behind X-pop
XG debuted under XGALX on March 18, 2022, with “Tippy Toes.” The seven members are JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA. The group’s name originally meant “Xtraordinary Girls”; in January 2026, its meaning changed to “Xtraordinary Genes,” emphasizing the creativity and possibilities within each person.
X-pop is the name XG and its company use for their musical identity. It is best understood here as their own creative statement, rather than a universally agreed genre category. Hip-hop and R&B provide a foundation, while the group leaves room to move between styles, eras, and influences.
That gives listeners a more useful question than simply deciding which country’s pop category to put them in: what makes a song sound like XG?
“SHOOTING STAR” Makes the Question Audible
Released in January 2023, “SHOOTING STAR” is an earlier signature song, not a new release. It makes a useful introduction because its rhythmic rap sections sit alongside smoother, melodic vocals. The contrast gives the track movement without losing its central groove.
What appeals to me is that playful quality. The rap and beat have a light, almost mischievous charm, while the group’s delivery remains assured. A strong performance does not always have to feel severe.
Listen to how the track moves from clipped phrases into longer vocal lines. Then watch how the choreography follows those changes. It offers a concrete way to appreciate their musicality: rhythm, phrasing, and movement are working together.
The companion track “LEFT RIGHT” emphasizes their R&B side. Together, the two songs helped define a direction that the group’s own release notes describe as rooted in hip-hop and R&B. Those traditions matter when discussing X-pop; a new name does not erase the music that helped shape it.
Where K-pop Enters the Story
XG’s relationship with Korea is more substantial than appearing on a few television stages. Interviews describe roughly five years of training involving Japan and South Korea, including language study and the development of performance skills. Their promotions have included Korean music programs such as M COUNTDOWN, Music Bank, and Show! Music Core.
I see this as learning from a route K-pop had already helped open to global audiences. For a group with international ambitions, Korea’s experience in developing performers and presenting them to overseas fans is a meaningful part of the picture.
At the same time, that is my interpretation of their path—not a claim that it explains every decision made by the members or their company. XG’s musical identity and its connections to the K-pop industry can exist together.
Their Korean pronunciation also sounds natural to me. I can imagine that familiarity helping some Korean listeners feel closer to the group, even though their main songs are in English. It is a personal impression, not a statement about how all Korean audiences respond.
The Training Behind an Effortless-Looking Performance
The connection that interests me most is the work behind singing and dancing through a demanding performance. Repeating movements, controlling timing, and maintaining expression while the body is constantly moving require practice that an audience may never see.
That is the achievement I would like readers to notice. Beyond a striking outfit or an eye-catching video, there is the discipline needed to make individual performers move as a group. XG’s long training period gives context to that precision.
A music video alone cannot tell us how much of a vocal is live, so I would not use it as proof of live vocal stamina. It can, however, show the coordination and musical timing that help define the group’s presentation.
A Direction That Keeps Expanding
Their first full-length album, THE CORE, released on January 23, 2026, broadens the picture. Alongside their established sounds, “4 SEASONS” gives the vocal section an acoustic setting, while “O.R.B (Obviously Reads Bro)” explores punk rock. The members have described the album as bringing different styles back to a shared identity.
That makes X-pop interesting to follow: the name sets out an ambition, and the songs give listeners something to judge for themselves.
Start With the Music
For me, XG is an intriguing part of Asian pop’s expanding global presence. Start with “SHOOTING STAR,” listen for that playful rhythm, and notice the work behind the movement. The label becomes more meaningful once you hear the music.
Further reading: XG official profile · Official tour information · XG interview with NME. Information checked October 16, 2026.