[INTERVIEW] DXMON Dig Deep Into The Story of Their Debut: From “Burn Up” to “SPARK” and Everything In Between

The Seoul Story had the pleasure of speaking with DXMON, in conjunction with the release of their debut mini album, HYPERSPACE with double title tracks Burn Up and SPARK. Members MINJAE, SEITA, HEE, TK, REX, and JO didn’t hold back at all, sharing their views on fashion and unique hairstyle choices, their identity as a group, and more!

Q: How would each one of you describe the feeling of debuting?

REX: For me, it was like fire.
MINJAE: I see it as an explosive, as the process of debut felt like we were hidden somewhere and then burst forth, making a powerful impact.
TK: I view it as a result, as it is a fruit of our hard work during our time as trainees.
HEE: Excitement. The debut was very exciting for me as it allowed me to showcase what I’ve prepared during my days as a trainee and thoroughly enjoy the stage with the fans.
JO: I was very emotional. It was a very touching experience that now I’m able to present to our fans and the public what I’ve worked hard for as a trainee.
SEITA: I choose the word, “beginning”, to describe my debut.

Q: How do you deal with the responsibility of debuting so young?

JO: Being young, I believe we have the confidence to navigate through challenges. We are committed to giving our best, with the dream to become superb artists as time progresses and we gain more experience.

Q: What kind of impression do you hope to leave the public with after your debut?

MINJAE: We aim to showcase our unique identity as the group, DXMON. I believe our color is distinctive so we’d like to leave a lasting impression on the public with this uniqueness.

Q: Can you tell me your favorite memory from your training as DXMON?

REX: The CEO provided us with the opportunity to visit the U.S. and Japan, where we had the chance to learn from various instructors. I really enjoyed the learning experience and the time spent with all of them.

Q: Members HEE and JO had very striking haircuts. What initiated the bold styling decisions?

JO: The idea for the hairstyle was initially proposed by the CEO during the concept meeting. Upon seeing the sample photo, I was immediately drawn to its uniqueness. At first, I questioned whether it would truly suit me, but upon trying the hairstyle and looking in the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the hairstyle looked great on me. Then I experimented with various poses, gestures, and even rapped with this hairstyle and I became certain that it was a perfect fit for me.

Q: Do you have any particular inspirational figure or visual?

REX: As trainees, our CEO would take us to watch fashion shows of various brands. This experience served as an opportunity for us to develop an interest in fashion and draw inspiration from the diverse styles showcased.
JO: The styles that we are currently wearing are also drawn from our interest in fashion.

Q: How does your style tie into your music and your aesthetic?

MINJAE: There are two title tracks in this album. The first one, Spark, talks about our days as trainees, and Burn Up narrates our story after debut, symbolizing our determination to burn brightly.

Q: Among all the songs from your debut album, are they any songs or special points that listeners should pay attention to?

MINJAE: TK has a part in the third verse of the song N.W.B where he sings as if he is whispering. It’s a unique element that I’ve never heard before, so I recommend using headphones when listening to this specific section of the song.

Q: What is your personal favorite song in this album and why?

REX: For me, it’s Burn Up because the ear-striking sound in the song’s intro leaves a lasting impression. Additionally, whenever I listen to the hook of the song during practice or performance, it never fails to give me chills.

Q: All the tracks in your debut album are unique and different in their own ways. Which track’s sound did you like the most? Is there a new sound that you want to try for your next release?

REX: I find the percussion sounds in the track Burn Up to be incredibly impressive. Every time I listen to this song, it gives me goosebumps, and I believe the performance of this track is powerful as well.
SEITA: All the members love punk or rock genres so they are something that we want to try in the future.

Q: Both Burn Up and SPARK are fire-related. Can you talk more about what that means?

MINJAE: The fire in the track SPARK represents a small fire caused by static, symbolizing our time spent as trainees. On the other hand, the fire in the track Burn Up signifies a large, intense fire, marking the beginning of the group after our debut. It tells the audience about our powerful energy and performances.

Q: Burn Up and SPARK have different sounds. Individually, which song connects with you the most?

REX: I choose Burn Up. It has all the elements that I want to show, including a powerful performance and a great melody.
MINJAE: I love the track, SPARK because it is easy on the ears yet can become exciting and calm at the right moments. I love that aspect of this song.
TK: I choose SPARK because I like songs that are easy to listen to. The melody carries an R&B vibe, yet the strong and intense beat is a unique blend that I haven’t encountered before. Additionally, the song’s story about beginning a journey resonates with me, and I find it very appealing.
HEE: I choose the track N.W.B. The song is exclusively composed of rap verses which are delivered like whispers. Despite the consistent whispering tone, each rap verse has a distinct rhythm and flow, making it easy for listeners to engage with its unique rhythm.
JO: I resonate with the song Burn Up because of its intense and powerful beat, which complements our bold style and concept. The hairstyle also complements the vibe well. I believe it is a great song and perfectly fitting as the title track of this album.
SEITA: I also choose Burn Up because it effectively captures our passion and energy, showcasing the essence of DXMON exceptionally well.

Q: Your title track is called SPARK. What was a moment that you felt a spark recently?

REX: For me, it was during the debut showcase. As we presented our stage for the first time to our fans, I felt that spark within me. It was a moment of pure joy.
MINJAE: I’m getting that spark even at this moment. It is very exciting for me to see all of you here with such interest in our group, and I promise to consistently showcase developed and improved versions of ourselves as we move forward.

Q: In the track, SPARK, there is a lyric about being the protagonist or the main character. If you could describe yourself as any fictional character, who would you choose?

MINJAE: I would like to consider ourselves as Prince Charming from the story. We would be Prince Charming, and our fans are like Snow White because we get that butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling whenever we see our fans.

Q: In the track Very, you reference three famous artists: “Dali, Van and Picasso”. What is an ability that you have or something that you do to make yourself feel creative or artistic?

JO: I enjoy watching fashion shows held by different brands every season to draw inspiration.
SEITA: I like to play musical instruments, so I’m currently practicing my drum skills.
TK: I like to draw, which is a hobby that I have, to improve my creative and artistic sense.

Q: Any hobbies or skills that each of your have that you can tell us about?

SEITA: I love playing musical instruments so I’ve been practicing playing drums lately.
REX: I enjoy working out, so love doing weight training or playing soccer.
MINJAE: I have a deep love for listening to and singing songs, constantly seeking out new ones that resonate with me. Stay tuned for more as I share my singing with my beautiful voice.
TK: Since I was young, drawing and painting have been my hobbies. You can witness my genuine happiness when I draw and paint, and I consider it another charming aspect of myself.
HEE: My hobby is bowling. Whenever we have free time or during waiting periods, we often go bowling.
JO: I’m really into fashion, so I like to watch fashion runway shows as my hobby. As for my talent, I am quite proficient with traditional musical instruments, especially percussion.

Q: What do you think is your specialty that makes DXMON different from other groups?

MINJAE: I would choose our visuals and our overall styles, including our fashion and hairstyles, as well as our unique and powerful music.

Q: Since your trainee days until now after you’ve made your debut, what has changed in your life so far?

JO: Before our debut, we dedicated most of our time to the practice room as trainees. However, after making our debut, we now have a variety of schedules to attend, allowing us to spend more time outside the practice room. This change has made things much more interesting.
REX: As trainees, we limited our talent showcases to within the company, confined to the practice room walls. Now, after our debut, we can showcase our talents to our fans and it is very exciting.

Q: Are there any artists that you looked up to when you were growing up?

REX: I highly respect Felix from Stray Kids.
MINJAE: For me, it is Baekhyun from EXO.
TK: I respect Minhyuk from BTOB.
HEE: I look up to ATEEZ.
JO: As an idol, I really respect NCT. I also personally look up to Pharrell Williams as well.
SEITA: I respect BTS.

Q: Where do you see your group a year from now?

TK: I think DXMON a year from now will retain its essence but will have matured further, showcasing enhanced skills and a more relaxed stage presence during performances.

Q: How would you describe DXMON in three words?

JO: I’ll start. The words are “passion”, “fresh”, and “bold”.
REX: I choose the words “energy”, “polite troublemakers”, and “fire”.

Q: The tracks are quite different. Which song do you think represent DXMON’s group identity the best?

REX: I think the title track of the debut EP, Burn Up represents our group identity the best as it encompasses all of our passion and energy.

Q: What are some goals that you have and want to achieve as a group?

MINJAE: It is our goal to get our song onto the Billboard charts. REX previously said he had a goal he wants to achieve.
REX: Also, it is our goal to perform at Coachella.
MINJAE: Yes, that’s true. We have two goals that we want to achieve as a group.

Q: Can you talk about the preparation you underwent and what you want first time listeners to take away from the album?

REX: I hope the listeners get chills after listening to the tracks, and resonate with the overwhelming emotion that we got as we made our debut.

About DXMON

DXMON (pronounced DAAI-MON) is a 6-member South Korean boy group under SSQ Entertainment, and they are the first boy group to debut under their company. DXMON is a word derived from the Greek word ‘Daimon’, and it is a name that embodies the will to proactively decide one’s destiny and achieve it. The group consists of members MINJAE, SEITA, HEE, TK, REX, and JO. On January 1st, 2024, they released their pre-debut single Burn Up, which has since garnered over 1.2M views on YouTube.

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Big thanks to DXMON for the opportunity!

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