🎤 The mastermind behind Japan-born global group XG is making his boldest move yet. Producer JAKOPS — the man who built a seven-member hip-hop/R&B group entirely from scratch, trained them for five years, and launched them onto the world stage — has announced plans to spend up to six months in the United States starting in spring 2026. After Coachella, Tokyo Dome, and a debut album, he says: "I think now is finally our moment."

Who Is JAKOPS? The Man Bridging Japan, Korea, and America

Every song XG has ever released — from their debut single "Tippy Toes" to the latest album's title track "HYPNOTIZE" — was produced by one person: JAKOPS (real name Simon Junho Park). Born in Seattle, Washington in 1986 to a Japanese mother and Korean father, he grew up in Korea and launched his career as a member of K-pop boy group DMTN.

His producer name tells his whole story: JApan + KOrea + Produced by Simon = JAKOPS. After years of producing for major K-pop acts, he founded XGALX in 2017 as a joint venture with Japanese entertainment giant Avex. His mission was clear from the start: create a group that transcends national borders, sings entirely in English, and competes on the global stage.

At 39, JAKOPS serves as both CEO and executive producer of XGALX — a rare dual role in the entertainment world. He oversees everything from artist discovery and training to music production, visual direction, and business strategy.

'THE CORE': XG's First Full Album as a Declaration of Identity

XG's debut full-length album, THE CORE – 核, dropped on January 23, 2026, featuring 10 tracks including the title track "HYPNOTIZE" and pre-release singles "GALA" and "4 SEASONS." The album uses deep-sea imagery as its visual metaphor — a shift from the group's earlier space-themed aesthetic — representing a dive into XG's deepest creative core.

The album was born during an intense period of near-daily production sessions in Korea. In a memorable detail, JAKOPS revealed that the first time the team heard "GALA" together was at his own wedding in June 2024, where XG members and core staff agreed it would set the tone for the entire album.

A significant change accompanied the album: XG officially rebranded from "Xtraordinary Girls" to "Xtraordinary Genes" on January 12, 2026. This wasn't merely cosmetic — it reflected a fundamental reimagining of the group's identity beyond gender, aligning with the group's futuristic, boundary-breaking ethos.

"Now Is Finally Our Moment" — JAKOPS Plans an Extended U.S. Stay

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter conducted in mid-December 2025 at a hotel in L.A.'s Koreatown, JAKOPS shared his plan to spend up to about six months in the United States starting in spring 2026.

The trip coincided with XG's U.S. television debut on NBC's The Voice, where they performed their Met Gala-inspired single "GALA." But it was JAKOPS's personal revelation that made headlines. He shared his conviction that the time is right for this move, noting that artists and labels in both Korea and Japan have long aspired to gain recognition in the American market.

For now, only JAKOPS himself is making the move — XG's members will remain based in Asia. He admitted with a laugh that he hadn't even told his entire team yet, adding that the members are supportive and will likely want to follow once he gets settled.

Cocona's Coming Out and the End of Idol Rules

On December 6, 2025, XG's youngest member and main rapper Cocona came out as transmasculine nonbinary in an Instagram post on their 20th birthday. Cocona shared that they had undergone top surgery earlier that year, writing that the label "female" never represented who they truly are.

In the traditionally conservative landscape of J-pop and K-pop idol culture, where LGBTQIA+ visibility remains rare, Cocona's announcement was groundbreaking. JAKOPS responded with full public support, posting that he was deeply moved by Cocona's courage and pledging to continue supporting each member as both artists and human beings deserving of respect.

The group's name change to "Xtraordinary Genes" was partly influenced by this moment. JAKOPS also revealed in the interview that he had told the members in October that their trainee-era rules were officially over. With all members now adults, he encouraged them to freely pursue social lives, relationships, and personal growth — a radical departure from typical idol management in East Asia.

What's Next: World Tour, FIFA, and New Artists

JAKOPS's vision extends well beyond XG. XGALX has been teasing a new artist initiative called PS118, signaling plans to expand the company's roster. The project began with a solo release from XG member Jurin and points toward a broader creative ecosystem under the XGALX umbrella.

The second world tour, XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE, kicks off in February 2026 at K-Arena Yokohama, with dates planned across Japan (Osaka, Nagoya, Fukui, Sendai, Kobe, Fukuoka) before expanding to Asia, North America, UK and Europe, Australia, and Latin America.

Adding to their portfolio, XG was named Japan Ambassador for the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup 2026 Campaign in January 2026, appearing at the official Trophy Tour event in Tokyo. This crossover into sports marketing underscores XG's growing relevance as a cultural brand beyond music.

Why XG Stands Alone in the Global Music Landscape

XG occupies a unique position in the music world. Seven members, all from Japan, trained under the Korean idol development system, performing entirely in English. They don't fit neatly into J-pop, K-pop, or Western pop — and that's exactly the point. They call their genre "X-POP," freely crossing between hip-hop, R&B, house, and electronic music.

Their track record in just three years speaks volumes: a world tour spanning 35 cities and 47 shows with approximately 400,000 attendees, a historic Coachella appearance as the first Japanese act to headline the Sahara Stage, a sold-out Tokyo Dome concert, and a Billboard magazine cover. They were also the first Japanese artists to hit No. 1 on Billboard's "Hot Trending Songs Powered by Twitter."

JAKOPS described his founding vision in a recent Dazed interview: he wanted to build a team with an identity that belongs nowhere yet resonates anywhere. That philosophy — rooted in his own multicultural background — is what makes XG more than just another pop group.

Can Japan's Entertainment Industry Compete Globally?

JAKOPS's move to America represents more than personal ambition — it's a test case for Japan's entertainment industry on the global stage. Japan has long produced world-class creative talent, but language barriers, distribution challenges, and industry conventions have limited international breakthrough.

XG created an unprecedented model: Japanese artists, trained in Korean methodology, performing in English for a worldwide audience. With JAKOPS now establishing a U.S. base, this strategy enters a new phase. When asked whether XG had raised the bar for J-pop girl groups, he acknowledged that the landscape is evolving, with more diverse projects emerging — but emphasized his desire to demonstrate XGALX's unique strengths even more clearly.

In Japan, opinions on XG's model are mixed. Some celebrate it as proof that Japanese talent can compete globally; others feel conflicted about the reliance on Korean training systems. Either way, XG has forced a conversation about how talent is developed and exported in the modern music industry. What does talent development look like in your country? How are artists nurtured to reach international audiences? We'd love to hear your perspective.

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