Xtra Xtra: Now that was some nice cliffhanger for Xtra Xtra 2nd episode, wasn't it? VOX #2: Juria really is the one for the Big Feelings (while Chisa stands for strongness of soul, and Hinata always gives me a more optimistic, upbeat vibe ... just my personal feelings here). Puppet show ... that's gonna be longer, sorry ... but there is really a lot of symbolism going on in this video. All kudos to @exScythed who put this together first to my knowledge, I'm just reiterating. - First, take note that our girls start all separated and alone. They were lowered into Buddhist Hell by the thread of a spider (the starting scene with Chisa hanging in the air represents this). The figures you see in the very beginning are wearing traditional Buddhist headdresses. XG girls are surrounded by spirits who are caught in a cycle of reincarnation that never ends. (In Buddhism the “spider’s thread” is a reference to how Buddha took the thread of a spider in Heaven and lowered it down to Hell so that a criminal can climb up from Hell to Paradise. Therefore the thread of a spider is a symbol of slight hope aka a silver lining and of fragility. In the story it’s stated that the thread descended through “many layers of sky and clouds.”) - The XG girls look on sadly as many spirits attempt to reach Paradise and fail, exploding into nothingness (Chisa looking down from her perch represents this.) - Even though the XG girls are hailed as goddesses by the other spirits (represented by the way the other spirits bow to them) they realize they still can’t reach Paradise alone aka achieve enlightenment. - This changes when the XG girls find each other, realizing that their meeting was fate in order for them to reach Paradise together (they are tied together by the “red string of fate” and “hesonoo” is Japanese for umbilical chord.) This is represented four times in the video and twice in the chorus of the song; When Juria is running to help a spirit in danger of drifting away and meets Hinata there’s a close up of her eye where we see her having a vision of an explosion, when Harvey (who has black teeth which in Japan was a common practice amongst women because it represents a “woman with virtues”) meets Jurin, when the XG girls rap/dance together as a group with the drums, and when a wayward spirit’s failure to achieve enlightenment causes an explosion which knocks everyone down leaving only XG standing strong. - There are also several fourth wall breaks (first Hinata, later Jurin) showing that they’ve broken away from the circle the spirits are stuck walking in. They know the Truth aka achieved enlightenment; they look directly at us and know that we are watching them. Also, it is only in the later two choruses the girls adlib together. The first chorus has none. - Before XG goes, they bless one of the spirits who is heavily implied to be pregnant with a girl (the moon is associated with womanhood ... please don't ask how a spirit in hell gets pregnant) and has earned the right to be reincarnated for good. - Finally, the XG girls take a literal leap of faith together and successfully reach Paradise, symbolized by their new, white outfits. Now, if the lyrics are to be seen (as Simon himself once hinted at) as a criticism of the puppet masters in the music industry, then the symbolism in the video starts making sense. XG breaks free from the industry's strings by doing their own thing - together, united - and reach independence in paradise. That's my interpretation, anyway. Hope this helps for understanding what exactly is going on. And whoever came up with all this (most likely Simon) ... you're a freaking genius.
Thank you for the context! This really helps and if the lyrics are in relation to the industry itself, then I totally get it. Without the MV, and the dissection you provided and context, it becomes very hard to grasp. Everyone read the above!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
16:54 this is my favorite bit of XG lore. That Hinata's dance instructors were like "oh yeah no big deal, but there's this small test we think you should participate in" and that's how Hinata stumbled her way into XG and international fame lol.
For me, It's really hard to watch Extra Extra series again, I can't even image what would I do in this kind of training camp. But it also means Simon did really think this through since the project begin and also let all the fans know they are not just borned to be a star, they put efforts, sweat and tears in the past 5 years. I really like what you said in the video, we all glad they are what they are today, and wish them bigger and bigger in the future.
after watching episode 2 and 3, I can't believe Maya, Chisa and Juria were at the bottom and was almost sent back to Japan... those 3 are molded out of hardships in the early stage of the Korea training.
5:22 SNSD was my ultimate group until XG came along and even in SNSD I have biases but with XG, the group is the bias. They all are likeable and even not having to watch “Mnet’s 3 Meals a Day” their personalities just shrine through and their likeable personality is amplified when watching that show. Best chemistry in a girl group so far since Spice Girls
Same sentiments here Alphaz, i still am and will always be a BIG, SNSD and 2nE1 Stan BUT XG Surpassed both!! Its like XGALX created the modern version of both Gen 2 Monsters in 1 XPOP entity.
Actually there were 1000's of candidates. They went all over Japan doing camps and interviews and stuff. XGALX quite literally picked the best of the best of Japan and then cut it down bit by bit.
The style or genre for Puppet Show is Jersey Club. The dance practice is awesome. their fits are on point too, early 2000s style. It reminds me of my high school days growing up in NY. Simon made a comment that Puppet Show lyrics were more directed towards the Industry itself. Not sure the entire context behind it though. XTRA XTRA gets rough but I understand Simon and tough live to building character for this industry. He talks a bit about that and it makes sense. Great reaction as always great vibes. Keep it up 🙌
Also your right its hard to have a bias. You can watch a dance practice 7 times and focus on a different memeber each time and they kill it..XG is my Bias 😅
@@douglastjchew Hikaru from Kep1er trained with XG for 5 years. They are very good friends with her and she is in the XG Documentary and many of the Xtra XG episodes.
If you want to see them sing this song with a live band, watch their session on It’s Live (a channel featuring many K-Pop acts with a live instruments). It’s a different vibe than the studio version.
Great reaction as always. The Xtra Xtra series is definitely tough to watch, but you really get that appreciation and understanding of the process. Simon is tough, but as the series goes on you can really see insight into his thought process and really appreciate how much he actually cares for these girls. It''s so great
Thanks for reacting XG. I am reviewing the XG documentary with you. I see different reactors' views on the puppet show. Some reactors are angry. What I don't want people to forget when they see them is that "it is the positive energy that XG transmits". Receive positive energy from XG:)
@@douglastjchew Yeah, take this with a grain of salt, but I believe they traveled around Japan looking for candidates and also accepted online/video applications. I can't even imagine the process to cut it to 36 girls 😵
@@douglastjchew Many thought the Official MV start with Jurin is autotune "Everything I do, I do it A-1" - but in the Live it sounds the same so I think it's not autotune and she's just got a stable tone! Watch out for that.
@@ductdangJurin's opening on Shooting Star definitely had autotune. But it wasn't for pitching issues, it's for sound effects. People who have lower musical inclinations tend to accuse it of cheating, like those people.
I think for me, I think that the sort of seriousness of the lyrics against the bounciness of the music helps to convey the cheekiness of overall concept. Like when you say something pointed with a smile. You expect that it’s one thing, but if you’re really listening, you see what the truth of it is.
Yeah, a lot of Alphaz raised their eyebrows at Simon on this episode of XTRA XTRA. It's understandable. The episodes get really intense but it gets better along the way. I hope you keep watching.
Great XG Reaction Vids ALPHAZ!!! LOL XG UNIVERSE IS LIKE A REALLY GOOD BLACK HOLE!! SS btw was based on a sound called ATLANAT KIRA KIRA POP, befittingly it was produce in ATL, GA by some of the best producers.
@douglastjchew No need to sreach for it. The entire interaction with the ATL, GA producers, rappers, singers and how Shooting Star was produced is on the Xtra Xtra documentaries.
Us watching the documentary help us appreciate and love XG more on another level..It’s brutal,but that’s what makes them a stronger group..Can’t wait for you to watch the next episode..it’s going to be a bumpy rides..HESENO-O!
Japan is really the origin of idol system but korea perfect it to make their own version who has a rigourous training process.with xgalx creating xg became the question now to many kpop fans that how the creative team and producer have such a great music but members also is the main reasons why everything is so good not just talent you have to work hard and get to that level thats why xg is so much different from other girl groups and when they perform.
It started with 21 girls then it grew to even more than a 100. But at the end, it’s just 7. The “demo” was not playing at all. They used a different sound lol.
Xtra Xtra: Now that was some nice cliffhanger for Xtra Xtra 2nd episode, wasn't it?
VOX #2: Juria really is the one for the Big Feelings (while Chisa stands for strongness of soul, and Hinata always gives me a more optimistic, upbeat vibe ... just my personal feelings here).
Puppet show ... that's gonna be longer, sorry ... but there is really a lot of symbolism going on in this video. All kudos to @exScythed who put this together first to my knowledge, I'm just reiterating.
- First, take note that our girls start all separated and alone. They were lowered into Buddhist Hell by the thread of a spider (the starting scene with Chisa hanging in the air represents this). The figures you see in the very beginning are wearing traditional Buddhist headdresses. XG girls are surrounded by spirits who are caught in a cycle of reincarnation that never ends. (In Buddhism the “spider’s thread” is a reference to how Buddha took the thread of a spider in Heaven and lowered it down to Hell so that a criminal can climb up from Hell to Paradise. Therefore the thread of a spider is a symbol of slight hope aka a silver lining and of fragility. In the story it’s stated that the thread descended through “many layers of sky and clouds.”)
- The XG girls look on sadly as many spirits attempt to reach Paradise and fail, exploding into nothingness (Chisa looking down from her perch represents this.)
- Even though the XG girls are hailed as goddesses by the other spirits (represented by the way the other spirits bow to them) they realize they still can’t reach Paradise alone aka achieve enlightenment.
- This changes when the XG girls find each other, realizing that their meeting was fate in order for them to reach Paradise together (they are tied together by the “red string of fate” and “hesonoo” is Japanese for umbilical chord.) This is represented four times in the video and twice in the chorus of the song;
When Juria is running to help a spirit in danger of drifting away and meets Hinata there’s a close up of her eye where we see her having a vision of an explosion,
when Harvey (who has black teeth which in Japan was a common practice amongst women because it represents a “woman with virtues”) meets Jurin,
when the XG girls rap/dance together as a group with the drums,
and when a wayward spirit’s failure to achieve enlightenment causes an explosion which knocks everyone down leaving only XG standing strong.
- There are also several fourth wall breaks (first Hinata, later Jurin) showing that they’ve broken away from the circle the spirits are stuck walking in. They know the Truth aka achieved enlightenment; they look directly at us and know that we are watching them.
Also, it is only in the later two choruses the girls adlib together. The first chorus has none.
- Before XG goes, they bless one of the spirits who is heavily implied to be pregnant with a girl (the moon is associated with womanhood ... please don't ask how a spirit in hell gets pregnant) and has earned the right to be reincarnated for good.
- Finally, the XG girls take a literal leap of faith together and successfully reach Paradise, symbolized by their new, white outfits.
Now, if the lyrics are to be seen (as Simon himself once hinted at) as a criticism of the puppet masters in the music industry, then the symbolism in the video starts making sense. XG breaks free from the industry's strings by doing their own thing - together, united - and reach independence in paradise. That's my interpretation, anyway.
Hope this helps for understanding what exactly is going on. And whoever came up with all this (most likely Simon) ... you're a freaking genius.
Thank you for the context! This really helps and if the lyrics are in relation to the industry itself, then I totally get it. Without the MV, and the dissection you provided and context, it becomes very hard to grasp.
Everyone read the above!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
16:54 this is my favorite bit of XG lore. That Hinata's dance instructors were like "oh yeah no big deal, but there's this small test we think you should participate in" and that's how Hinata stumbled her way into XG and international fame lol.
For me, It's really hard to watch Extra Extra series again, I can't even image what would I do in this kind of training camp. But it also means Simon did really think this through since the project begin and also let all the fans know they are not just borned to be a star, they put efforts, sweat and tears in the past 5 years. I really like what you said in the video, we all glad they are what they are today, and wish them bigger and bigger in the future.
after watching episode 2 and 3, I can't believe Maya, Chisa and Juria were at the bottom and was almost sent back to Japan... those 3 are molded out of hardships in the early stage of the Korea training.
XG is that group that everyone stands out. It’s really hard to pick a favorite since all of them are awesome. You just love all of them equally.
5:22 SNSD was my ultimate group until XG came along and even in SNSD I have biases but with XG, the group is the bias. They all are likeable and even not having to watch “Mnet’s 3 Meals a Day” their personalities just shrine through and their likeable personality is amplified when watching that show. Best chemistry in a girl group so far since Spice Girls
Same sentiments here Alphaz, i still am and will always be a BIG, SNSD and 2nE1 Stan BUT XG Surpassed both!! Its like XGALX created the modern version of both Gen 2 Monsters in 1 XPOP entity.
Sameee here, I haven’t stand any girl group since SNSD until I found XG
@@rd1012 even Simon himself can't believe he founded an ultimate group in one of the Xtra Xtra Episodes(probably 8)
@@K-Choi IKR!! LOL. I got into them and followed teir activities since the Peaches cover, and never looked back..
5:15 That's common with XG 😅
It took me a while to choose one (Maya), but I love them all exactly the same.
They just dropped their The First Take video for “Shooting Star”!!! Pure, raw vocals!! Amazing!!!
Actually there were 1000's of candidates.
They went all over Japan doing camps and interviews and stuff.
XGALX quite literally picked the best of the best of Japan and then cut it down bit by bit.
The style or genre for Puppet Show is Jersey Club. The dance practice is awesome. their fits are on point too, early 2000s style. It reminds me of my high school days growing up in NY.
Simon made a comment that Puppet Show lyrics were more directed towards the Industry itself. Not sure the entire context behind it though.
XTRA XTRA gets rough but I understand Simon and tough live to building character for this industry. He talks a bit about that and it makes sense.
Great reaction as always great vibes. Keep it up 🙌
Also your right its hard to have a bias. You can watch a dance practice 7 times and focus on a different memeber each time and they kill it..XG is my Bias 😅
Fun fact: Hikaru in Kepler has the x-gene…
Oooh, okay, I think I might have to put Kepler on my list! 😉
@@douglastjchew Hikaru from Kep1er trained with XG for 5 years.
They are very good friends with her and she is in the XG Documentary and many of the Xtra XG episodes.
@@jonathanwatson5818 😮 omg 😱
おそらくHINATA以外の合格者はX-GRALXYのトレーニングを始める前からすでにどこかの芸能事務所に所属していたと思われます。
今のデビューメンバーも子役・プロスノーボーダー・ダンサー・モデルとして活動していました。
オーディションに合格した21人のほとんどが年齢より大人っぽくて洗練されて見えるのはこれが理由です。
XG👽 Do your best to love X-POP !!! 🥰
Mr.Simon, who produces XG, is a wonderful and talented person !! I respect you !! 👾🐺
If you want to see them sing this song with a live band, watch their session on It’s Live (a channel featuring many K-Pop acts with a live instruments). It’s a different vibe than the studio version.
I've never clicked sooo fast. LOL
Hearts! 🫶🏼
Good morning, afternoon and evening Alphaz
love XG!!! the whole New DNA album is fantastic
Great reaction as always. The Xtra Xtra series is definitely tough to watch, but you really get that appreciation and understanding of the process. Simon is tough, but as the series goes on you can really see insight into his thought process and really appreciate how much he actually cares for these girls. It''s so great
Thanks for reacting XG.
I am reviewing the XG documentary with you.
I see different reactors' views on the puppet show.
Some reactors are angry.
What I don't want people to forget when they see them is that "it is the positive energy that XG transmits".
Receive positive energy from XG:)
The 21 girls is the next round after the initial audition. They would receive training until the next cut.
24:40 I still need to confirm these numbers, but I think it went from 13.000 candidates to 36 girls (2017), and then 21 (2018).
13000?!?!!!!
@@douglastjchew Yeah, take this with a grain of salt, but I believe they traveled around Japan looking for candidates and also accepted online/video applications. I can't even imagine the process to cut it to 36 girls 😵
They just released Dec 15, 2023 the live The First Take!
I’ll check that out and record!
@@douglastjchew Many thought the Official MV start with Jurin is autotune "Everything I do, I do it A-1" - but in the Live it sounds the same so I think it's not autotune and she's just got a stable tone! Watch out for that.
@@ductdangJurin's opening on Shooting Star definitely had autotune. But it wasn't for pitching issues, it's for sound effects. People who have lower musical inclinations tend to accuse it of cheating, like those people.
I think for me, I think that the sort of seriousness of the lyrics against the bounciness of the music helps to convey the cheekiness of overall concept. Like when you say something pointed with a smile. You expect that it’s one thing, but if you’re really listening, you see what the truth of it is.
Ooh that is sass, thanks for this perspective! 💃🏾
Yeah, a lot of Alphaz raised their eyebrows at Simon on this episode of XTRA XTRA. It's understandable. The episodes get really intense but it gets better along the way. I hope you keep watching.
Yes finally continuation ! ❤ Gotta watch this now 👀🐺
24:18 彼女たちはプロジェクトに参加する前から芸能活動をし、インフルエンサーとしてSNSでも活動していました。
これは彼女たちがこのプロジェクトのために自分たちが積み重ねてきたキャリアを一時休止し、このプロジェクトに全てを捧げる覚悟のようなものです。
It’s heavy, but it’s a good heavy lol
Great XG Reaction Vids ALPHAZ!!! LOL XG UNIVERSE IS LIKE A REALLY GOOD BLACK HOLE!!
SS btw was based on a sound called ATLANAT KIRA KIRA POP, befittingly it was produce in ATL, GA by some of the best producers.
I will search that up! Thank you 🙏🏼 I want to know what that sound sounds like with other music!
@douglastjchew
No need to sreach for it. The entire interaction with the ATL, GA producers, rappers, singers and how Shooting Star was produced is on the Xtra Xtra documentaries.
Please watch 3 meals a day with XG!!!!
Us watching the documentary help us appreciate and love XG more on another level..It’s brutal,but that’s what makes them a stronger group..Can’t wait for you to watch the next episode..it’s going to be a bumpy rides..HESENO-O!
now we know why they got the fire and charisma as an artist
At work watching this 😂😂❤❤
lol thank you for your support babes 🫶🏼💖
Esperando con ansias tu siguiente reaccion de XG... ya me he visto todos tus reacciones a XG... 🤗
Japan is really the origin of idol system but korea perfect it to make their own version who has a rigourous training process.with xgalx creating xg became the question now to many kpop fans that how the creative team and producer have such a great music but members also is the main reasons why everything is so good not just talent you have to work hard and get to that level thats why xg is so much different from other girl groups and when they perform.
I might want subtitles😘
Coming soon!! Once CZcams finishes automatic captions I will auto-translate and enable it all! ❤️
Subtitles are up!
@@douglastjchew
Thank you so much!!
In case you didn’t recognize Hikaru, she’s…..
It started with 21 girls then it grew to even more than a 100. But at the end, it’s just 7. The “demo” was not playing at all. They used a different sound lol.
Oh :( I want to hear that demo!
@@douglastjchew for some reason they hid it from us. It could’ve been Shooting Star, but who knows
Hinata looks like a female version of Jungkook
I need to Google Jungkook
Please react to XG new rap song callob called undefeated