Exclusive Interview: EXO’s Xiumin Looks Back on His Album ‘Interview X’ and Discusses His Aspirations
XIUMIN of EXO is back and he’s shaking things up! Nearly three years after his debut solo release, ‘Brand New’, he’s unveiling a fresh, dynamic sound in his latest album, ‘Interview X.’ This project not only marks his second solo mini-album but is also his first release under his new label, INB100.
The title ‘Interview X’ is a clever nod to his name, with the "X" representing XIUMIN himself and the "unknown X" highlighting the new avenues he explores through this album. With six diverse tracks, fans can look forward to the lead single, the UK Garage-inspired track, “WHEE!” along with B-sides “Can’t Help Myself,” “Make You LaLa,” “Switch Off,” “Lost Paradise,” and “Love is U,” which was written by fellow EXO member CHEN.
Fresh off the album release, XIUMIN has launched his much-anticipated 2025 fan concert tour, titled ‘X Times ( )’, making stops in major cities such as Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, and Manila. Just before his concert in Manila, allkpop had the chance to sit down with XIUMIN to discuss the album, his tour experience, and his artistic aspirations.
In reflecting on the fan reactions to ‘Interview X’, XIUMIN shared:
“When the album came out, I particularly appreciated the fans who highlighted the diversity of the songs. Hearing that it was worth the wait was so rewarding. Being on tour has helped me get to know my fans better, and I’m eager to incorporate their feedback into future projects.”
One of the standout moments for XIUMIN has been performing “Make You LaLa,” a track he crafted with the intention of sharing it live with his fans:
“That moment when we sang together was so joyful for me. It really felt like a shared performance culture, and I couldn’t be happier with that experience.”
This is XIUMIN’s first solo tour, a milestone that brought both excitement and pressure. He elaborated on the preparation that went into filling the stage on his own:
“I approached each performance with dedication, but knowing I had a long break made me feel even more pressure to deliver. I focused on making each stage satisfying and surprising for my fans, and thankfully, the positive response has made it all worthwhile.”
As for the songs he’s most excited to perform, XIUMIN couldn’t help but highlight “Make You LaLa” as a favorite, while mentioning that “Lost Paradise” and “Can’t Help Myself” present a unique challenge, as they’re new to his audience.
TRENDINGWhen asked about his lasting impression he wishes to leave in the music industry, he stated:
“I hope to be remembered as an artist who gives his all. I want people to see me as passionate and hardworking. The growth I feel in myself is something I’m proud of, and it’s the image I want to leave behind.”
With ambitions still alive, XIUMIN is looking ahead to the rest of the year:
“There’s still a lot of time left, and I plan to possibly release another single album. I really enjoyed participating in my latest album and received great feedback, which motivates me to keep producing and engaging with my music.”
For updates, you can follow XIUMIN on Instagram or Twitter.
Stay tuned as XIUMIN continues to evolve as an artist and bring new music and experiences to his passionate fanbase!