Watch X1’s Fierce Debut With ‘Flash’

South Korean boy group X1 made their highly-anticipated debut earlier today with their first single “Flash” and its accompanying music video. The track is the lead single off the group’s seven-track debut EP Quantum Leap.

Up-tempo and anthemic, “Flash” cruises between synth-pop bridges and high-energy dubstep breakdowns with ease; its a throwback to 2010s Skrillex–an especially striking combination with the rappers’ confident verses. The video is a neon-infused treat as scenes alternate between group choreography with strobe lights forming the letter ‘X’ behind them and plenty of solo shots to introduce each member. Leader Seungwoo especially stands out, seated on a tall ladder and covered in a wash of soft white light.

Formed just a month ago via the Mnet reality show Produce 101 (titled Produce X this year), the 11-member group comprises Seungwoo, Seungyoun, Wooseok, Yohan, Hangyul, Junho, Dongpyo, Minhee, Eunsang, Hyeongjun and Dohyon. The members are from different backgrounds with varying amounts of experience in the music industry, spanning K-pop idols, songwriters and trainees; Seungwoo is from K-pop group Victon, rapper Seoungyoun was in the group UNIQ before establishing a successful career as a songwriter and R&B artist under the moniker WOODZ and vocalist Wooseok is from the group UP10TION.

Other groups formed via Produce 101 include Wanna One, IOI and IZ*ONE. Despite Wanna One’s immense global success and super star status, the group officially disbanded in 2019 after their one-year contract came to an end. In contrast, X1 will have a five-year contract with Stone Entertainment and Swing Entertainment, the longest in the show’s history so far.