Defend the Crown: X:IN on Power, Identity, and Breaking Boundaries

With a fierce multinational lineup and an unapologetically bold concept, X:IN is carving a distinct lane in K-pop. The five-member girl group — made up of members from Korea, India, and Russia — recently sat down with us to talk about their latest mini album Defend Myself, a raw and genre-blending project that dives deep into the realities behind the spotlight. From their globally unique identity to the personal touch behind their creative process, X:IN shares the stories, synergy, and sisterhood that power their rise — all while keeping their READYs close to heart.

K Fuse: Thank you X:IN, for joining us today! For readers who might be new to your group, could you briefly introduce yourselves?

한나 - Hello, we are X:IN, a multinational 5-member girl group with members from Korea, India, and Russia. We’re an all-rounder player with a girl crush concept.

K Fuse: Your group is known for its global identity and unique background. Can you tell us what set X:IN apart from other groups?

아리아 - I think our team is very special because the combination of a Russian, Indian and Koreans in a group is a first. We’ve got a distinct style and colour that sets us apart. Our concepts are not obvious or conventional. We always try to come up with something new and unique. And I believe that the synergy we create is also unmatched.

K Fuse: Let's talk about your latest comeback. First off, congratulations on the comeback! Can you introduce Defend Myself for readers who may be discovering you for the first time?

이샤 - Our 3rd mini album ‘Defend Myself’ contains the stories of the struggles and intense moments we’ve experienced behind the glamorous image often shown, and it tells how we tried to protect ourselves through it all. The album includes four tracks, the title track ‘attention seeker’, and the B-sides ‘suri suri maha suri susuri sabaha’, ‘bitter love’, and ‘almost

done’. Each song has a completely different vibe and genre, so if you listen to them in order, you’ll be able to feel our various sides through the album itself.

K Fuse: The title track, “Attention seeker,” is such a bold anthem. What does it mean to you?

니즈 - We honestly expressed our lives as idols as well as our inner emotions through this song. It’s a meaningful song for us because I think it really expresses our story in our own unique X:IN’s color.

K Fuse: What was the creative process like for this comeback?

노바 - The creative process for this album was really collaborative. All the members took part in writing lyrics, and Hannah created the choreography for ‘Sabaha’. We each brought our own ideas and emotions to the table, which made the album feel even more personal and special.

K Fuse: Any favorite tracks on the mini album besides “Attention seeker”?

한나 - I personally like ‘almost done’

K Fuse: Let’s talk visuals! The styling for this era is bold. What inspired the look?

아리아 - Im so glad that the fans have been loving the styling this time. We paid extra attention to details and made sure every outfit gave off the exact vibe and concept we were going for. Props to our styling team for such amazing work. The inspiration was mostly from the movie Madmax with hints of different aesthetics here and there for each outfits.

K Fuse: How has X:IN changed since your debut?

이샤 - When we debuted, everything was new for us, so we were unfamiliar and awkward. But now, compared to then, we’ve become more comfortable, and because of that, we express ourselves more actively so we’ve definitely grown in these ways.

K Fuse: Any fun behind-the-scenes moments from filming or promotions?

노바 - Maybe some fans noticed already, but in Hannah’s rap part in ‘Almost done’, she slightly misspelled the phrase “lost my breath,” so it kind of turned into “lost my bread.” We always jokingly tease her like, “Hannah, where’s your bread? Has anyone seen Hannah’s bread?” But honestly, even with that little slip, her part turned out so cool and charismatic.

K Fuse: Finally, as we wrap up our interview, are there any final words you would like to leave for your fans

and our readers?

Nizz - We’re always so grateful to our beloved READYs. You’re always by our side to cheer us, giving us the strength, which really becomes the driving force that makes us work harder. We want to share this with even more READYs in the future!

Hannah - Please give lots of love to our latest album “Defend Myself” and to all the albums to come. Because we, X:IN, are always prepared, please support and watch over us with love. Thank you

As X:IN continues to break boundaries and redefine what it means to be a global girl group, one thing is clear — they’re just getting started. With Defend Myself, the group showcases not only their versatility but their unshakable identity and drive. Whether you’re a longtime READY or a new fan discovering their sound for the first time, now is the perfect time to dive into their world. Stream the new mini album, watch the “Attention Seeker” music video, and follow X:IN as they continue to rise — one fearless step at a time.