Catch Up Time! | Reaction XG "TGIF", "NEW DANCE", "PUPPET SHOW", MV, Live (bonus First Take)

[@KRapPsychic]

In New Dance, Siena Lalau is the Choreographer, from San Diego, based in LA, her crew is called The Lab. She's only 22 and is Polynesian. They are in the Metaverse version of the MV at the beach. That was filmed when XG spent 10 days in Los Angeles at Head In The Clouds festival by 88 Rising ( and had The Lab as their backup dancers throughout on stage) and KCON LA. They also have had Kiel Tutin choreographer, who has done many Kpop choreos , and was the artistic stage director for Blackpink's Pink Venom World tour. As far as aces, their are 7 Aces in XG.

[@KRapPsychic]

XG entered Japan market after their efforts in Korea first ,and International festivals (US mainly) much like many Kpop groups do. They hit with a bang with brief exposure on shows, Magazine spreads, etc. They did Kcon Japan last year in Tokyo. After release of their mini-album in September, and releasing MV.s for all the songs every few weeks (including 2 for New Dance and the combined intro songs into 1 video for Hesono and X-Gene, largely responding to popular demand from their fans aka Alphaz to make that video for X-Gene) they concluded 2023 with their first Solo Showcase concert at the 10,000 seat Pia Arena in the Tokyo area, and sold out day and night shows. So in 2023 they released Shooting Star, Left Right, in January, their mini-album in September, and Winter Without You in December. They also did covers in rap ( involving all 4 rappers in total but on their own duo projects) Two Tens, Niothin, and original rap Show You Can for Korean show Street Woman Fighter 2, and Vox covers by Hinata, Juria and Chisa. They also performed in Festivals at HITC NY, LA and Singapore, and festivals in Sydney and Abu Dhabi, and KCON LA and Japan, and Tokyo Girls in Tokyo, and a NYE appearance on Billie Chinese TV. and of course did 4 Korean music performance shows for each song released as singles and on the mini-album, and somehow was on a Korean variety show (2x) and did their own 5 episode series on Mnet's M2 called X or Go released in January. Then also add in promotional appearances on local radio/TV/KZbin stations, and all their by scenes videos.

[@DILRAJSARKAR]

chisa has a sharp voice

[@jayzee2404]

For those unfamiliar, XG is overseen by AVEX (parent company), granting them a dedicated headquarter in Japan for private rehearsals, resting spaces (bedrooms), lounges, and catering facilities. Lately, XG has garnered acclaim in notable Japanese magazines like VOGUE Japan, FORBES Japan, and Nylon Japan. The group actively engages in both Japan and Korea. As a versatile Japanese global XPOP group, XG is capable of participating in various events, including KCon fest.

[@knkweb]

XG has already surpassed many contemporary girl groups and outperformed established K-pop and J-pop acts due to their unique approach and the incorporation of elements from J-pop, K-pop, and Western music into their sound of music.

[@camrolaguardia]

@12:40: I agree with this fully. To be fair, they are currently being marketed as X-POP which is not kpop, but a brand/ genre of their own and they rock it. HOWEVER, and alphaz don't come after me for this, they are in essence, CURRENTLY, a product of kpop production. The production is being held in Korea, their training is in korea, their home studio is in korea, their main circuit of promotions is done in Korea, and their main counterparts in the industry are KPOP acts, so in all aspects, they are kpop. I do think they are better received by the intl community(as evidenced by youtube, social media, and other media outlets such as magazines, mainstream media OUTSIDE of korea). And I do believe, (please correct me if I'm wrong) that they are not well received in korea, it is getting better though. I do believe that they are aiming for the global market, but it will be, as you said, a clear uphill battle. Hopefully we see it succeed because this group is cracked! Cracked enough for me to write a short essay in the comment section of a youtube video. lol

[@MrBlazerfan89]

Mostly right, while yes, they do have a lot of korea employees working with them and spend a lot of time there. They have a ton of international people working on their visual/songs etc also. Heck, most of their chorgraphy is either done by Sienna or in part by her, and she is LA based. Shooting star at least the instrumental and song arrangement were worked on in Atlanta with mostly black producers. If you watch the documentary Simon from the jump states he wants and has a wide array of international people working with him on this. I have a feeling that in 2024, we will see them separate even further from standard Kpop promotion and go more international, with stronger presence in NA, EU, and South America.

[@ariusbudiman7105]

I agree with you that XG are not well received in Korea, Korean music market is like have template if idol (group) music is different with K-Pop standard usually not welcome or doesn't have lot of fans, it's similar like DC or CP that have different concept they're not popular in Korea and also all XG members is Japanese and their music is X-Pop not K-Pop.

[@OleDirtyBastard68]

I know what you mean, and personally my approach is that K-Pop actually isn't a genre at all, but more the means and the industry. The groups from the "idolsphere" that I can really root for are all more on the fringe of K-Pop and have all gotten a lot of heat when they started out (besides XG, it's Stray Kids and NMIXX ... but take a look at Stray Kids and see where persistence and staying true to your concept can lead even inside Korea).

[@ShogunIzzy0901]

If Simon their producer/ceo of XGALX called themselves xpop. Thats what im going to call them. They have a lot of international employees as Simon stated in the documentary series.

[@chrislambert9903]

When they were in America both times the writer strikes were still going on so they couldn't do late night/talk shows then. Maybe during the world tour they can do some of those to help with international promotions.

[@knkweb]

XGALX operates under AVEX Corporation, a Japanese entertainment conglomerate. Simon, who previously worked at AVEX, collaborated on establishing the XGALX brand in Japan since 2017. AVEX CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa and Simon Jakops emphasized that XG is not confined to KPop or JPop genres but aims to create a Japanese group with global appeal, incorporating elements from JPop, KPop, and Western culture. This insight was featured in a Billboard Japan article. -- Internationally, XG is not perceived as KPop or JPop by fans. Instead, many view XG as a global XPOP group.

[@JusDavN]

Should have done "Winter Without You" it's one of thier best songs

[@MrBlazerfan89]

Enjoyed the reaction. it's instreasting to see a perspective of someone who isnt a mega fan, but still loves XG's music. I highly suggest looking at all their extra musical content. TAPE series is all the rappers showcase, super good Cypher #2 went very viral, and is probably what gave them a huge boost in western popularity. VOX series is all vocals, so if you enjoy their vocals in these songs, wait until you hear their covers, it will give you a new love for them. Vox #1 and #3 are properly my favorite. Move series is all dancing, mostly pre-debut. Worth a watch Lastly the Xtra xtra documentary is something magical, no need to react to it as its long, but i suggest watching it your own time. They are 100% in their own lane as intended. I think they are doing well in japan, they sold out two solo shows in japan for a total of 24k tickets on the same weekend as MAMA. In terms of internationally id also say they are doing pretty well. They have had massive crowds at every event or festival they performed at. Sadly i dont know much about korea, but i thonk they have warmed to them a ton, as they have figured out they arnt trying to be K-pop, and they have had a few planned/unplanned interactions with other Kpop idols, along with two well recived variety shows on m2. Sorry this got so long. Have a great week!

[@lorenzamarchi]

I think the most underrated members in the group are Maya and Hinata. It's true that, at the beginning, they weren't the first ones to catch my attention, firstly the ones who stuck out the most for me were Jurin and Harvey, mostly because of their distinct voices, but, as time went on, Maya and Hinata started to catch my eye. But in MY OPINION the groups Ace is Maya, like- she can do anything amazingly from rapping real fast and charismatically, singing angelical notes, having AMAZING stage presence and DANCING, which is crazy to think about because in the docu series she was almost eliminated in the dance category and now she's one of the best dancers in the group. That's why she's my favorite, she worked extremely hard to be as good as she is today, she went through hard times but kept going, all while maintaining her fun and exciting aura. I love these girls so much, but my bias Martin has a special place in my heart ❤️

[@zi_star]

maya's vocals in winter without you 💕💕

[@woosaucin]

Maya could be any group's main vocal, main rapper, main dancer, it's crazy. Her verse on the galz xypher (tape 2) was SUUUUUPER underrated. The diction and flow was nuts. WWY vocals were crazy, like if you watch the itslive version, a lot of those high notes i didnt even know it was her(specifically around the bridge, we already know about joyful joyful joyful part). Her and Chisa also the funny ones on variety shows 😂

[@aeribarbie]

YAYYYY MAYA ENJOYERS RISE 😭💓💓💓💓

[@kaecee1991]

WWY definitely deserve its own video/reaction

[@JaneyMa-fh4go]

Puppet Show lyrics have a different meaning. It's about the K-pop industry when Simon(producer) was K-pop idol and how some K-pop idols were treated. The person who explodes in the air trying to jump over to get to the other side in Puppet Show is supposed to represent Simon

[@OHNO-m9z]

OMG !! XG !! 🔥🔥

[@shaniat.4085]

I thought it was so interesting to see someone come to the conclusion that they are XPOP without knowing what XPOP is 😂. I feel like we’ve been fighting for people to understand that the industry you break out in does not necessarily define what sonic genre you are in. For clarification, XPOP is an amalgamation of K, J, and American Pop music with heavy R&B and hip hop influences. XG is a global girl group, but there are very few music markets that have set MOs for promoting new artists like the kpop industry, hence why they promote predominantly in Korea. Also, their exec producer is a former kpop idol, so I’m sure that influenced the decision to promote in Korea first.

[@ariusbudiman7105]

12:55 I agree with you XG should be in global but maybe have base and activities in Korea is part of XGALX plan to bring XG fully going global as you know this year they will have 1st World Tour. #XG #XPOP 👽🐺

[@knkweb]

Certainly, although XG primarily conducts its activities in Japan and Korea, the management's focus is on promoting them in Korea and globally. Additionally, XG has garnered substantial popularity both in Japan and around the world. Notably, three prominent Japanese magazines-VOGUE Japan, FORBES Japan, and Nylon Japan-have featured XG on their cover pages. As artists signed under AVEX, XG continues to have access to headquarters and private rehearsal spaces for their needs in Japan.

[@bankrollplays5744]

missed girl gang also

[@panicinthecity8655]

He reacted already.

[@bankrollplays5744]

they are rnb in my eyes soo

[@kai200731]

Unfortunately international fans are the only ones who think XG is kpop cuz neither in japan and nor kpop netizens pointed XG as kpop. Their music even their dance during all this period of time they were performing are getting more in the wester side. R&B and hiphop being call kpop is just so unfair for both side kpop has a very long tradition in the music industry

[@panicinthecity8655]

XG promotes every comeback in Korea in the same shows that K-pop groups promote. So don't blame people for putting it in the K-pop category.

[@chrislambert9903]

I wish people would stop caring what other people label them. I don't care if someone else considers them Kpop and I don't. My opinion you need to meet at least 1 of 3 things to be Kpop. Be Korean, sing in Korean or be under a Korean company which XG doesn't qualify any of those. They are very much Kpop adjacent so I don't care what other people label them one way or other.

[@kai200731]

@@panicinthecity8655 if you don’t know the reason why they promote there just better be quite besides kpop fans knows about XG music and what they are doing in the industry they promote there but as a guest if you wanna a Japanese group that is really doing kpop just look up NIZUI they are doing kpop and even they won’t so.

[@knkweb]

@@panicinthecity8655 In reality, as per online sources and Billboard articles, the producer Simon and AVEX CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa have clarified that despite XGALX being a Japanese global group promoting worldwide and in Korea, they are not categorized as KPop or JPop. Even if they participate in events like KCoN, they remain distinct from the KPop or JPop genres. XGALX has been labeled as XPOP, signifying its unique genre and global appeal. While there may be a perception that XG is superior to KPop or JPop, it's important to recognize that genre classifications cannot be determined solely based on subjective opinions. XGALX remains under the management of the Japanese corporation AVEX.

[@knkweb]

Internationally, XG is not perceived as KPop or JPop by fans. Instead, many view XG as a global XPOP group.

[@trap348]

I’m confused. TGIF and new dance seemed repetitive to you and you asked for variety yet puppet show was your least favourite and it was the least repetitive lol bad reaction