could of been cube but they play to much 😂 starship maybe maybe not

Kiss of Life's label maybe?? KOF is at an all-time popularity high, esp with the release of Midas Touch, and it only seem to be going up !!

this was so interesting omg

It could be argued that Kpop has reached it's zenith in Korean language based songs/popularity. In order to grow more globally, all Kpop Labels had to come out with all English songs. This helped groups like BP and BTS to become the largest BG and GG in the world. Now all ambitious Kpop groups/labels need to sing more in English to have any chance to go global. XGALX and Avex knew this, and purposely leveraged these trends by training talented Japanese girls into the superb level of XG, base them in Korea to leverage the kpop music ecosystem, and singing only in English. They also leveraged the Kcon and Japanese 88 Rising HITC Festival circuit (and others) to get global exposure with a not-ready-for- their-own tour yet due to limited discography. The strategy is working marvelously with steady growth and popularity globally, with many Koreans resenting them for various reasons. If anything, the future step maybe to spend more time in the US, polish their speaking English, do more shows and interviews, get radio play, and explode in the largest music market in the world. They genre focus of RnB and Hip Hop and their Western Rap skills (versus weak Kpop Rap Skills) makes them well suited to make a run at it using their Rap, Singing and dsncing skills. Whether Avex can do this with a partnership with one of the 3 huge music labels based in the West will help scale this up to reality. I think Avex has huge long term plans, and seeing how they are a $400million label, they are investing a lot in this Xpop strategy with XG first, and others to follow. Kpop is only 2% of the total global music industry. Hybe has this same global ambition, but going about it differently. PS- I am an Alphaz, totally love XG's music, and talent!

XG’s musical niche is Y2K hip-hop and RnB, just wanted to point that out as it suits the “timing” portion of this video perfectly as the Y2K trend is currently being milked for all its money. XG is the only girl group other than Kiss of Life who are treading water in this particular musical genre. New Jeans, ILLIT, etc are sticking to Y2K Bubblegum POP. I would also like to point out that Jurin’s CXPHER sampled “Saoko” by Rosalía so I wouldn’t be surprised if they did do a little Reggaeton in the future.

XG has no identity or color... just copying everything from the west and east...

Don't. You're not educated on XG.

The girls did not grow up idolizing RnB and hiphop only to abruptly (for no reason whatsoever) become reggaeton artists. I respect your opinion but I strongly disagree.

For those unfamiliar, XPOP has already gained traction in Japan since 2017 and has been promoted both in Korea and worldwide. XGALX operates under the parent company AVEX, a Japanese entertainment conglomerate. XG maintains a headquarters in Japan, providing facilities for private rehearsals, rest areas, and catering. Simon Jakops and AVEX CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa have expressed their desire to classify XG as part of the XPOP genre

XG doesn't fall under the category of KPop or JPop. Despite some individuals and a Rolling Stone article in February labeling them as a stylish JPop girl group, Simon Jakops and AVEX CEO Katsumi Kuroiwa have expressed their desire for XG to be categorized as XPOP. XPOP represents a fusion of JPop and KPop vibes with western styles. AVEX offers support for most aspects of XG's production, accessories, and even provides staff members.

It doesn't matter to me what people call it, they are such an amazing group, and I can't wait for the world tour!

XG themselves say they are not kpop but take every opportunity to associate themselves with the genre such as promoting in korea and cherry pick aspects we love from kpop as their marketing strategy. They enter a lot of kpop festivals and most of their stans are kpop fans. But they differentiate themselves because they sing in english and are japanese so they market themselves as very not like other groups. Its working but idk how long they are gonna associate themselves with the kpop genre when their music is heavily based on black music.

A big problem for the Z-Girls wasn't even discussed here - COVID! Z-Girls were far too little established, the label wasn't very powerful and the entire promotion was a lot gone. I see the topic differently. 1. K-Pop isn't a genre - it's more the infrastructure and ecosystem of the music industry there 2. There are a number of K-pop groups that also release many songs in English, and now even groups from smaller labels. XG used the Korean system of the music industry, their infrastructure, their marketing, even their training was based on the local standards. In my opinion, XG represents more of the NEXT LEVEL, i.e. a new export level of the K-pop entertainment industry which can be expanded to other ethnicities, nations and languages. The X-Pop label is more of a marketing strategy to differentiate yourself.

xg is the future of asian music industry. i hope i can hear/saw those asian music artists tho. as well as, u will see a lot of groups/artists like xg moving forward. i think this is the new standard of asian idol groups like xg. it would be fire if japan will have a boy group version of xg in the future. japan will really become #1 in all aspects.

I wanna add that one of the co-writers for XG, Theron Thomas won a grammy award.

They're not K-pop because they aren't Korean! As a half Japanese, half Korean American, I found it odd that people were calling them Korean-pop. Even XG themselves never described themselves as K-pop. Which was completely on purpose. I wouldn't describe them as J-pop either since they sung in English and are more influenced by western R&B and Hip'hop than anything Japanese. Since XG stands for Xtraordinary Girls, X-pop would stand for Xtraordinary-pop. It just made sense! After many, many arguments, it nice to see people using the term with XG actually using it in one of their interviews.

And XG is doing this with only 11 songs in their discography. They’re awesome!! Also, k-pop’s roots aren’t just in South Korea. It mainly has roots in R&B, hip-hop, and EDM.

👍🔥🔥🔥🐺

just enjoy their group/music ....that simple. 👊🐺

Debut is a French origin word, and even in English the t is silent.

XG is not Kpop coz they don't need to do USELESS AEGYO less talent. XG is loaded with talents and less aegyo. Thanks to the alien gods!

The producer of the group freely admitted that he copied ebery single thing about the Kpop template whem he created XG. Even though he also admitted that he hates Kpop. An all Japanese group singing entirely in English? No, they're not Kpop. They just spend a lot of their time promoting in Korea.

XG is global girl group with their own genre with originally R&B and HipHop but exploring with other genre, their music is something special and it's about being (X)traordinary in their way to create unknown music genre which is called X-Pop. And this year XG have first World Tour in Asia, North America, Europe and other regions.👽🛸🐺

XG❤❤❤

The last part of what XG should do is not what they should do. You want them to stray away from the core Hip Hop/R&B/Pop and do reggaeton? That's asking them to make music that is unauthentic to their soul. The reason why I like XG is they have the factor of what music they want to make and it is natural for them.

Impressived! I like your style of reviews & analysis, it's systematic & organized. Hoping that "Universe Ticket" Kpop survival show is next on your list.Thanks in advance.

I am in the camp of people who firmly disagree with you as to whether they count as Kpop. To me, their participation in the Korean music show scene is sufficient to me for them to qualify as Kpop. Jpop groups don't participate on Music Bank and all-English singles happen all the time in Kpop with other artists. Like, is Jungkook's "Seven" not Kpop? Or Lisa's "Money?" I see where you are coming from, but I personally think they qualify, albeit loosely. Either way, really enjoyed the video. I actually made a video for their 2nd anniversary as well. I hope more people check them out because I think they have a lot to offer as up-and-coming groups from indie labels go.

Good video! I agree with some of your points about XG being Xpop. XG breaks boundaries and strives to be unconventional yet authentic. IMO, XG is kpop in ways they can be considered kpop(training, promotion, dance) and NOT kpop in ways they can be considered as not kpop(trained in japan as well, sings in English, japanese members, unpredictable yet authentic to their dna music). That's why I agree that xpop would be a good classification. It's not that they are denying kpop origins, it's just that they are different and has other qualities that makes them not be tied to kpop alone. What makes them shine and for me is what's relevant is their insane talent, skill, ethic, XGALX team, creativity, chemistry, music, etc.

reggaeton, thanks, but no thanks, it would make me immensely sad if the girls found out that this Pseudo genre originated largely here in LATAM, their marketing strategy is working at a dime, they are bringing back genres that didn't sound a while ago in the correct way, if you can tell, I would dare to say that about 80% of the group's fandom is in the range of 28/45 years old and a little more, they are appealing to the nostalgia of those who missed an RnB well done and old school hip hop, in turn they are making a bridge between old heads like me and younger generations who are rediscovering the genres

Great video

Thanks for the content. There were some errors though. “Mascara” was not their debut single, it was “Tippy Toes” which would make “Shooting Star” their 2nd comeback (3rd single overall)

Very good video ! I totally agree with everything you say ! As an Alphaz(XG fandom name), XG came at the perfect time in kpop. I mean, ever since 2020 , kpop compagnies have been trying really hard to enter the western market with the kpop formula so it is not suprising that people are starting to get less agressive toward the idea of an asian group inspiring themselve from kpop. For me, I don't think they have yet come to the goal of their sound being XPOP because they still rely a lot on the kpop system and , if we take their nationality out the equation, they are just a pop group in my eyes. Howerver, I do think XPOP and XG as a lot of potentiel and all they need to do is to continue being consistent and keep innovating their concept and sound.

Everything about RU Next felt super rushed and with bang PD’s absence I was skeptical it would go well. All eyes are on illit’s debut to see how the group turns out

I think KQ entertainment has what it takes to join the big4 if they can expand their roster of artists

great video!

Grate video as always cant wait to see more keep up the great work

I've never seen close substitution goods being described in a prisoner's dilemma, i mean it works but not the best fit here. Especially because the prisoner's dilemma results in either a price war or a collusion to avoid the price war, yet it is contradicted by the reality of no collusion and no price war. More explanation is needed on how goods differentiation from substitutable goods to non-substitutable goods through branding and idol interactions would evade the price spiral trap, you do mention all these points but they're not really linked together.

Love how technical your approach is. This is my first time coming across your channel but I am definitely subscribing and look forward to your future content!

Maybe the black label? It depends on the sucess of their first gg.

loved hearing from someone who auditioned!

oh my gosh you are great. flashbacks to international relations class with the game theory!! lol but forreal proud to be an early subscriber i am TUNED IN

oh my goodness your videos are incredible?!

Excellent video as always

Second

first

Are you an economy or business major?

R U Next trainees are one of the best trainees i ever seen in survival shows, too bad they got RIGGED out of debuting.....F this show the MOST RIGGED SHOW EVER!!!

Justice for my girls chanelle and jiwoo

Yeah this is what we forget about kpop industry many times, we think it's open to everyone cause our faves sing about body positivity, equality but in reality they themselves are there because they meet those certain standards.

I agree on a lot the factors what R U Next showed to fail during the airing They have eliminated Yuisa, a girl that had barely no screentime and her first performance wasn't even aired as one of the girls that was supposed to perform with them was sick. None of the viewers even knew much about her and they just got her off without us getting to know her even a little bit. What they failed to show us for all 22 contestants is how well they either grew or fell, or their characters, the stories were missing. This is something that for an example Produce 101 Japan The Girls showcased well, I was rooting for some of the contestants and they kept showing stories that made you attached to them. The final lineup was not maybe chosen by the international fans, but at the end people should move on from it as nothing's gonna change it. I ESPECIALLY agree on the judges part. They never had chemistry with the contestants (except Aiki), and they never bothered to guide them on HOW to improve, just if they were good or bad, if they were disappointed or not. Those girls are TRAINEES not artists they don't know what to exactly change without a guide, which led to for an example Iris, Chanelle, Jihyun, Hyewon not being able to showcase their talent well later on, and they have not been able to understand the concepts / songs. There's a lot that could of been changed about the show, but what happened happened really.