XG: From Brutal Training to Global Pop Stars
Tuesday, 2026/06/23183 words3 minutes1963 reads
Japanese pop group XG has emerged as a global sensation following an arduous five-year training period that tested the limits of its seven members. Selected from thousands of hopefuls in 2016, Maya, Juria, Hinata, Harvey, Cocona, Chisa, and Jurin endured a grueling regimen that encompassed vocal training, choreography, and multilingual education, all while living in shared dormitories under intense scrutiny.
The training experience, which members describe as an act of "pure survival," involved dawn-to-dusk lessons and occasionally harsh disciplinary measures. Despite the physical and psychological toll, this crucible forged an unbreakable bond among the members, symbolized by their pre-show ritual invoking "Hesono-o"—the Japanese word for umbilical cord, representing their interconnected destiny.
Since their 2022 debut, XG has distinguished itself through a distinctive fusion of sci-fi aesthetics and 90s R&B grooves, delivering trilingual performances that transcend cultural boundaries. Their viral hits and performances at prestigious venues like Coachella have solidified their international appeal. The group's evolution has also embraced inclusivity, particularly following member Cocona's public declaration as transmasculine and non-binary—a groundbreaking moment in J-pop that reflects XG's commitment to authenticity and challenging conventional norms.
