X:IN

Pre-debut activities

E.sha, had participated in several pre-debut groups, including MEP-C, Laonzena, and trained under GBK Entertainment. She chose the stage name E.sha as part of her new career chapter and is recognized for her dance abilities and choreographing her group's songs.^[5]

Nova, was part of the Russian dance cover team Dalcom, where she performed K-pop dance covers. She also worked as a voice actress, dubbing characters in Russian. Nova joined Escrow Entertainment through online auditions and underwent only four months of training before debuting.^[6][7][8]

Aria, born as Gauthami, is a former Indian child actress who appeared in Malayalam movies such as Melvilasom and Thank You.^[9][10] Like Nova, she joined Escrow Entertainment through online auditions.^[11]

Chi.U, made her solo debut in November 2021 and was a member of the dance team Majesty. Additionally, she appeared in episode two of Dreamcatcher's Why Not Me. After leaving X:IN, she made her debut in girl group I:MOND.^[12][13]

2023–2024: Debut with Keeping the Fire, line-up changes, Synchronicity, The Real, Seoul-Moskva and Acha(%)

On March 15, 2023, they made their first appearance on an online broadcast show K-stage, where they performed their pre-debut song "Who Am I" and later released its performance video on YouTube.^[14]

They made their debut on April 11, 2023 under Escrow Entertainment as a five-member group composed of Roa, E.sha, Chi.U, Nova and Aria, with digital single "Keeping the Fire" under Escrow Entertainment and performed it on various music programs. ^[1][15]

Due to personal circumstances, Chi.U left in June 2023, followed by Roa in July 2023. In July 2023, the company introduced two new Korean members, Nizz and Hannah.^[16]

On August 5, 2023, Escrow Entertainment released a poster announcing the release of their first extended play album titled Synchronicity, released on August 30, 2023. The album features a blend of pop and dance genres, with "Synchronize" serving as the title track..^[17]

On February 5, 2024, X:IN announced their second extended play through releasing a poster, The Real, which was officially released on February 25, 2024, under Escrow Entertainment. The album features four tracks, with title track "NO DOUBT" filmed in Cebu, Philippines. Prior to the album's release, the group dropped the pre-release single "My Idol" on February 19, 2024.^[18] The album was described by leader E.Sha as a reflection of the member's personal experiences, capturing their emotions and struggles on their journey as idols.^[19][20]

In May 2024, they visited Moscow, Russia, where they served as judges at the Asian Dragon Fest, performed a concert, and held a fan signing event.^[21][22] During this visit, they collaborated with Russian artist Anatoly Tsoy, known professionally as TSOY, to record the single "Seoul – Moskva."^[23] The song, featuring lyrics in Russian, English, and Korean, was released on October 25, 2024. TSOY expressed excitement about this groundbreaking collaboration, noting that it was the first of its kind between a Russian artist and a K-pop group. He joined X:IN on stage during their second visit to Russia, performing live at their concerts in Moscow on November 2, 2024, and in St. Petersburg on November 3, 2024.^[24][25] This marked the first live performances of their collaboration.^[23][26]

X:IN released their digital single "Acha(%)" on December 13, 2024, which conveys a message about confidently embracing individuality, overcoming obstacles, and letting go of toxic influences while staying true to oneself. This was preceded by the release of "Keeping the Fire Rock Ver." on December 12, 2024.^[27]

2025–present: Departure from Escrow Entertainment, Defend Myself, and Rrrun, Hyper

On April 9, 2025, it was announced via the official platform b.stage that they had terminated their contract with Escrow Entertainment. The group will continue their future activities under the management of a new agency, BeBy Entertainment.^[28][27]

After a year long hiatus, the group confirmed that they are preparing for their comeback which is filmed entirely in Los Angeles, California, USA.^[29][30]

On April 22, 2025, X:IN released concept photos announcing the release of their third extended play album under new agency BeBy Entertainment titled Defend Myself released on May 17, 2025 with title track "Attention seeker" and 3 b-side tracks.^[31]

On September 4, 2025, they released their 1st single album titled Rrrun consisting of title track "Rrrun" and a b-side track "Creamy".^[32][33]

X:IN participated in the 2025 Chuseok Special of the Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC), a South Korean reality television program broadcast by MBC in which idol singers and groups compete in various multi-sport events. The event was held on August 25, 2025 and was broadcast during Chuseok 2025. Nova won first place in the rhythmic dance category, surpassing Kep1er's Xiaoting.^[34][35]

They are scheduled to release their fourth extended play, Hyper, on February 20, 2026.^[36]

Music style and lyrics

X:IN's music style incorporates a blend of various genres, including K-pop, EDM, pop, hip-hop, and occasional elements of rock and trap. Their songs feature energetic beats and vibrant production, often combining powerful vocals and rap sections to create a dynamic sound. The group's musical approach emphasizes versatility, with tracks ranging from upbeat, high-energy anthems to more emotive, introspective pieces, showcasing a broad range of styles within contemporary pop music.^[20]

The lyrics of songs typically touch on themes of self-empowerment, love, and personal struggles. They often encourage listeners to embrace their uniqueness and stay strong through challenges. Like many K-pop groups, the themes are relatable and resonate with young audiences, promoting messages of confidence and self-acceptance.^[18]

Influences

X:IN's music is influenced by iconic K-pop groups like 2NE1 and Blackpink. From 2NE1, X:IN draws inspiration in their genre-blending approach, combining elements of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music with empowering concepts. Like Blackpink, X:IN incorporates rap verses and high-energy beats, reflecting the global success of BLACKPINK's fusion of Western pop and K-pop. The influence of these groups is evident in X:IN's vocal delivery, stage presence, and visual aesthetics. X:IN embraces high-fashion visuals, similar to Blackpink, making a statement both musically and artistically.^[37][20]

Extended plays

Single albums

Singles