🎵 Seven Japanese women. All songs in English. Neither K-POP nor J-POP — they call it "X-POP." Selected from 13,000 audition candidates, trained for five years, and within four years of debut, they performed at Coachella, toured 35 cities drawing 400,000 fans, and landed on the Billboard 200. Now their first full album has just hit No. 1 on the Billboard Japan chart.
XG's 'THE CORE - 核' Tops Billboard Japan Hot Albums
On February 4, 2026, Billboard Japan revealed its latest Hot Albums chart (tracking period: January 26 – February 1), and XG's debut full-length album THE CORE - 核 (pronounced "kaku," meaning "core" or "nucleus" in Japanese) claimed the No. 1 spot. The album beat out Number_i's No.II at No. 2 and even Grammy-winning Lady Gaga's Mayhem at No. 7.
The album also topped Billboard Japan's Download Albums chart and debuted at No. 1 on Oricon's Weekly Digital Album Rankings — their second digital album chart-topper following their 2023 mini-album NEW DNA.
Who Is XG? — The Story Behind Japan's Global "X-POP" Group
XG consists of seven members — JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA — all born and raised in Japan. Despite being an all-Japanese group, every single song they release is performed entirely in English. They belong to XGALX (pronounced "X-Galax"), a production company founded in 2017 by executive producer JAKOPS, also known as SIMON (Simon Junho Park).
SIMON was born in Seattle to a Korean father and Japanese mother. After debuting as a member of the Korean boy group DMTN, he transitioned to producing, drawing on his experience across three countries — the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. His vision: to create a world-class act originating from Japan.
The "X-Galaxy Project" attracted roughly 13,000 audition applicants. Fifteen trainees were initially selected, and after years of rigorous training in both Japan and South Korea, the final seven members emerged. XG debuted in March 2022 with "Tippy Toes," which sold out on pre-order. Soon after, they made history as the first Japanese artists to hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard "Hot Trending Songs" chart.
XG defines their sound as "X-POP" — neither J-POP nor K-POP, but a genre-fluid blend of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music that refuses to fit neatly into existing categories.
Coachella, Tokyo Dome, Billboard 200 — A Trail of Milestones
The numbers tell a compelling story. XG's first world tour, "The first HOWL" (2024–2025), spanned 35 cities across 47 performances, drawing approximately 400,000 fans. The tour finale at Tokyo Dome attracted 50,000 attendees.
In April 2025, XG became the only Japanese act to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of America's largest music events. They headlined the Sahara stage. Their November 2024 mini-album AWE marked their first entry onto the Billboard 200 — the main U.S. album chart.
Beyond music, XG has been tapped for global brand campaigns with McDonald's, Shiseido (ANESSA), and Coca-Cola. They also became the first Japanese girl group to appear on the cover of U.S. Billboard magazine.
Inside 'THE CORE - 核' — What Makes This Album Special
Released on January 23, 2026, THE CORE - 核 contains 10 tracks, including pre-released singles "GALA" and "4 SEASONS," the lead single "HYPNOTIZE," the rap-forward "O.R.B (Obviously Reads Bro)," and the catchy "TAKE MY BREATH."
The title "核" (kaku) carries deep meaning. Member HARVEY told Apple Music, "This album represents our essence and confronts the core of our music." COCONA added, "I think people can feel XG's core in this album, and I hope listeners can also face their own essence and identity through it."
The lead single "HYPNOTIZE" is a house number blending ethereal sounds with rhythmic piano. Its music video uses "the deep sea" as a visual metaphor — a realm beyond ordinary human reach, symbolizing the internal world XG explores.
Notably, on January 12, 2026 — Japan's Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day), a national holiday celebrating young people turning 20 — XG announced a name change. As all members had reached age 20, they rebranded from "Xtraordinary Girls" to "Xtraordinary Genes." The word "Genes" represents the creativity and identity at the group's core, signaling their evolution beyond any label or framework.
Charting in 68 Countries — Global Impact
THE CORE resonated far beyond Japan. The album reached Apple Music's Albums Top 200 in 68 countries and regions. On iTunes, it peaked at No. 8 in the U.S. and No. 9 on the Worldwide chart.
"HYPNOTIZE" was added to Spotify's "New Music Friday" playlists across 43 countries — a personal record for the group. The song also set new highs for first-day and first-week streaming numbers across all platforms. Its music video topped YouTube Trending Worldwide.
In a Billboard fan poll for favorite new releases that week, THE CORE captured over 50% of votes, outpacing new releases from Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles.
In South Korea, XG appeared on four major music shows — M Countdown, Music Bank, Show! Music Core, and Inkigayo — performing "HYPNOTIZE" and album track "ROCK THE BOAT" to enthusiastic audiences.
Producer SIMON's Ambition — "Creating the Greatest Record in the World"
In an interview with Billboard Japan, SIMON stated that his goal with THE CORE was nothing less than "creating the greatest record in the world." His creative leadership has been widely recognized — at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, he received the inaugural "Best Producer" award.
XG launched their second world tour, "XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE," on February 6 at K-Arena Yokohama. The Japanese leg covers 8 cities with 16 shows (Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukui, Sendai, Kobe, Fukuoka, and Tokyo), with international dates to follow across Asia, North America, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Total expected attendance for the Japanese leg alone is approximately 160,000.
A New Chapter for Japan-Born Global Artists
XG's success represents a turning point for the Japanese music industry. An all-Japanese group performing entirely in English, trained using K-POP methodologies, creating their own genre called "X-POP," and reaching the world's biggest stages within four years of debut — when the project launched in 2017, virtually no one in Japan's music industry would have predicted this trajectory.
THE CORE hitting No. 1 on Billboard Japan symbolizes a dual achievement: building a solid domestic fanbase while simultaneously making waves internationally. It's proof that artists from Japan can compete on the global stage on their own terms.
Does your country have artists or groups that have broken out of the domestic market to achieve global success? What does it mean to you when your country's music reaches the world? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
References
- https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/158219
- https://www.musicman.co.jp/chart/711562
- https://en.koreaportal.com/articles/54276/20260203/japanese-group-xg-charts-globally-first-album-core-launches-sold.htm
- https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2432897/full/
- https://mag.digle.tokyo/news/262185
- https://music.apple.com/jp/album/the-core-%E6%A0%B8/1860565513
- https://bezzy.jp/2026/01/79673/
- https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/xg-the-core-favorite-new-music-poll-results-1236162482/
Reactions in Japan
Congrats on THE CORE hitting No. 1 on Billboard! As someone who's been following since debut, I'm so emotional. Back during 'Tippy Toes,' I never imagined this future.
Honestly, I still can't quite place XG. They're Japanese but appear on Korean music shows, and all their lyrics are in English. I want to support them, but there's this awkwardness in calling them a 'Japanese group.'
I never get tired of HYPNOTIZE no matter how many times I listen. The deep-sea MV links perfectly with the album concept — the level of completeness as a work of art is insane.
They drew 400,000 people, headlined Coachella, and filled Tokyo Dome, yet they barely appear on Japanese TV. The gap between their international fame and domestic recognition still seems pretty wide.
The rename to 'Xtraordinary Genes' caught me off guard at first, but announcing it on Coming of Age Day was classy. Graduating from 'Girls' to 'Genes' = competing on identity, right as everyone turns 20 — that's a beautiful storyline.
SIMON's producing ability is the real deal. Selecting members from 13,000 candidates, training them for 5 years, and delivering exactly the results he envisioned on a world stage — that's crazy. He's a genius, just a different type from Yasushi Akimoto.
Went to the K-Arena Yokohama opening night! The show followed THE CORE's tracklist order, and I was completely immersed in the album's world. This album was made to evolve through live performances.
Sorry, but an all-English album topping Billboard Japan's chart as a 'Japanese' act doesn't sit right with me. Wouldn't competing with Japanese-language songs be a truer measure of recognition?
Some people categorize XG as K-POP, but the key point is they call themselves 'X-POP.' It's not about which country's pop it is — it's about competing with the music itself. That mindset is exactly what the album name THE CORE captures.
Listening to the rap in O.R.B, I was shook by JURIN's skills. I've never seen anyone in a Japanese girl group who can spit bars this hard. And their ROCK THE BOAT performance on Korean music shows? Goosebumps.
COCONA coming out as transmasculine/non-binary and the group naturally embracing it is so XG. The rename to 'Genes' probably connects to that philosophy of diversity too.
Went to the Shibuya pop-up shop and it was packed even on a weekday. Lots of young fans, but I noticed plenty of people in their 30s-40s too. Really showed how broad their fanbase is.
Billboard No. 1 is great, but looking at streaming numbers alone, their domestic recognition is still developing. Compared to acts like Mrs. GREEN APPLE, there's still a gap. This next phase is where XG's true value gets tested.
How did they outpoll new releases from Harry Styles AND Louis Tomlinson...? ALPHAZ unity is something else. But it's not just fandom power — the music has to be strong for this result, and it is.
Looking back, Avex's decision to fully back XGALX was nothing short of visionary. At any typical Japanese agency, a proposal like 'all English songs, trainee system in Korea' would've been killed at the planning stage.
4 SEASONS is quietly my favorite. It's not flashy, but I think it showcases each member's vocal personality the best. Listening through the whole album, from XIGNAL intro to PS118, feels like one continuous journey — can't skip a single track.
I'm from India and got completely hooked after discovering XG through Spotify's New Music Friday. All Japanese, all English, yet you can feel the Asian DNA in the music. THE CORE is an album you need to listen to front to back.
American here who saw XG for the first time at Coachella and was blown away. Not many groups in the US combine that level of dance and rap skills. THE CORE is proof of exactly that caliber.
Mexican ALPHAZ here! XG's fanbase is growing fast across Latin America. When I first watched the HYPNOTIZE MV, the quality gave me chills. I'm SO excited they're including Latin America in the world tour!
As an Irish music fan, I'll be honest — I'm still skeptical about the 'X-POP' genre label. If they're using the K-POP training system, isn't it essentially a K-POP variant? The music is good, but the branding feels off to me.
XG's performances on Korean music shows were a big topic among Korean fans too. Seeing a Japanese group that confident on K-POP stages was refreshing. Though honestly, some Korean fans did question why they were on Korean shows.
French dancer here. XG's choreography is top-tier in the industry. The HYPNOTIZE choreo in particular — the fusion with house music is beautiful. It's wonderful that a Japanese group commits so deeply to dance quality.
From Egypt. I only knew J-POP through anime, but XG is a completely different approach. Charting on Apple Music in 68 countries is real proof that Asian music has truly gone global.
Korean-Canadian here. SIMON's background is fascinating. A producer with roots in Japan, Korea, and America creating an all-Japanese group that succeeds globally — that's the quintessential story of the global era.
Speaking as a German music producer, the sound production on THE CORE is world-class. The mixing and mastering quality is particularly impressive. But at 29 minutes, it's short. I wanted more.
From Nigeria. Just as Afrobeats and Afrofusion spread from Africa to the world, XG's X-POP is bringing fresh energy from Asia to the global music scene. More artists breaking genre walls is always welcome.
Swedish here. Just as ABBA went global singing in English, I relate to XG's approach of aiming for the world in English from Japan. Challenging the world in a non-native language takes courage. That attitude alone deserves respect.
Fan from Singapore. XG's popularity is definitely rising in Southeast Asia. They played Singapore on the last tour, and I'm curious if they'll come again. THE CORE has such range — every single track has its own personality.
Record shop worker from Argentina. We're getting a surprising number of orders for THE CORE on vinyl. Not just from K-POP collectors but from hip-hop and R&B fans too. Groups that attract people across genres are rare and valuable.
Based in Australia. Being honest, it bothers me that some XG fans on social media put down other Asian groups. The music is top-notch, but parts of the fandom being exclusionary is unfortunate.
Vietnamese-American here. XG beating Harry Styles in the Billboard poll really hit home how much Asian artists' influence has shifted. They're widening the door BTS opened, in a completely different way.