Blazing a dazzling trail across K-pop’s ever-shifting landscape, X:IN is the fearless multinational girl-group rewriting the rules of what it means to be idols and artists under the massive spotlight.

Consisting of talented members hailing from Korea, Russia, and India, this quintet weaves diverse cultures, bold concepts, and raw emotion into their work. 

With exciting times ahead as they mark their first launch under their new agency, BeBy Entertainment, X:IN recently stunned their fandom by releasing their latest soul-baring mini-album 'Defend Myself'; an offering revolving around the intricate vulnerabilities and challenges of life in the spotlight, as experienced by the members themselves.

The album beautifully showcases the intimate anxiety of constantly having to craft the perfect image, giving their fans an unexpected glimpse into the group’s pain, inner conflict, and emotional turmoil. 

X:IN invites listeners from around the world to join them on this journey highlighting the constant struggles of navigating fame, fear, and self-identity. 'DEFEND MYSELF' is without-a-doubt a bold statement on image, vulnerability, and the longing to be truly seen.

Hi there girls! Thank you for joining us on ReVamp! How are you doing and how has 2025 been like for you so far?

아리아 - Hello!! 2025 has been amazing so far as we released our 3rd mini album recently. The beginning of the year was spent diligently preparing for the comeback. We’ve been very busy but its also fun and exciting at the same time.

First of all, huge congratulations on your forthcoming album 'Defend Myself!' This project feels like a significant turning point for X:IN showcasing the emotionally unfiltered, introspective, and unafraid themes. Were there any personal revelations in terms of your artistic identity that surfaced for each of you during its creation?

노바 - This album is very personal to all of us, and we really put our hearts into it. Especially the song ‘Almost Done’ — it’s special because it tells our individual stories. I wrote the lyrics for my part myself, and it’s based on my journey from my life in Russia all the way to debuting in Korea. It was emotional to write, but also really meaningful.

아리아 - As I was preparing for the album Ive realized that my approach towards the work has changed and evolved a lot. Ive become more passionate and greedy to become better. I also realized that when I write lyrics I tend to focus mostly on a certain aspect so now Im in the process of changing that focus towards balance between all the aspects.

[E.sha - This time, I participated in the choreography for the title track ‘attention seeker’. But, since I have mostly worked on B-side choreographies before, so to make the concept different from the title track, I incorporated more of my personal style into those. But because this was a title track, I thought a lot more about what would feel true to X:IN and what would suit the members better. Also, I got to try lyric writing for the first time with track 4, ‘almost done'.

Since it was my first attempt and the topic itself was about us, I wrote very honestly. I don’t know my personal artistic identity yet, but if I get a chance, I wish to find it while writing more and more lyrics.

Nizz - For this album, I participated in lyric writing for the first time. Actually, writing the lyrics myself and then singing them made me realize that I could express myself much more delicately. It made me think how important it is to participate in the production process of the album.

Hannah - There are parts in both the title track and ‘almost done’ where I had to write lyrics based on my own story, and that came with its own struggles, but I was able to put my own story into it. Also, I was in charge of the choreography for ‘SABAHA’, so I think I was able to reflect my identity through that as well.]

The title track, 'Attention Seeker’ explores a striking contradiction from yearning to be seen while fearing exposure. How did you individually interpret and embody that track as members of such an established group?

노바 - Actually, you can interpret ’Attention Seekers’ as a reflection of idol life that people don’t always see. We’re expected to stand out, to be noticed, to perform — and part of us craves that attention because it means our work is being seen. But at the same time, there’s a constant fear of being too exposed — if people see too much of the real you, they might judge or misunderstand. For me, that tension is very real. I want to connect with people through our music, but I also value my privacy and the parts of myself I don’t show. This song captures that internal conflict in a very raw and honest way.

아리아 - Since Ive felt the exact same way and could relate to the song, I think i was able to understand the song more and more as we practiced. The hindi lyrics in the bridge part almostfelt like a reflection of my mind during difficult times so I think I was able to ingest that and express myself better on stage this time.

[E.sha - In a way, it was very similar to what we actually feel as idols, so it wasn’t hard to relate to. Vocally, there are parts where the emotions come and go, and explode so we focused on those parts while singing.

Nizz - I tried to deliver my vocals in a way that matched the mood of the song, and since it’s our own story, I think I focused on studying and practicing the song to convey those emotions.

Hannah - I believe we all human beings have contradictory sides. In fact, I’m also the same. So we just expressed that honestly through music.]

E.sha mentioned that this album captures “the feelings behind the glamorous appearance.” How did you approach translating that duality of the face you wear out in public versus the truth you live through sound, visuals, and lyricism across the album’s four tracks?

이샤 - [The album has 4 tracks in total, and I think the sudden shifts in emotion and mood between the songs express that well. Even within each song, you can feel a variety of moods and emotions in different parts.]

‘SABAHA’ has a hypnotic, almost ritualistic energy. Kindly walk me through the overall creative process for this track.

한나 - [‘SABAHA’ casts a spell like making you fall for me and as it’s highly addictive, the choreography had to be unique, I thought of creating it like those witches casting spells. So, if you watch the dance, there are witch-like and spell-casting elements, especially, the laughing sound at the end is the killing point]

With ‘Bitter Love’, you delve into the quiet ache of restrained emotion from holding back, wanting more, but hesitating. Was this song born out of any personal moments and how do those themes resonate with the challenges of bringing emotional honesty within the landscape of music?

니즈 - [More than personal experience, the lyrics were written based on imagination. You could say it was written about the emotions of lovers but, if you see it in a way, it can apply to any human relationship we experience in our lives. Because these subtle emotions between lingering feelings and pride are something you can feel in any relationship.]

‘Almost done’ acts like a letter to your past selves- a testament to survival, growth, and quiet resilience. How did it feel to write and perform a track so rooted in your own journey, especially after what seems to have been a period of reinvention?

노바 - Writing ‘Almost Done’ felt like digging into parts of myself I usually keep hidden. It felt honest—like finally saying things I’d been carrying for too long. There was relief, but also vulnerability, knowing I was putting something so personal out into the world.

As a group made up of Korean, Russian, and Indian members, your diversity is not only historic in K-pop but also emotionally resonant. How has your multicultural identity influenced the vulnerability, storytelling, and unique narrative we hear on this album and your overall music?

이샤 - [Thanks to such elements like our different tones, pronunciations, and emotions, our songs could sound much more diverse. And this time, all the members participated in writing lyrics, so, even while doing that, I feel like the different emotions came out well in harmony.]

Lastly, I'd love to know if there's any message you wish to convey to your fans and supporters currently reading this interview?

니즈 - [Thanks to all the READYs who always cheer us on and we love you all. The compliments and words of encouragements from READYs make us grow and improve more. We will always show you our best sides. Let’s always be together]