An innovative hybrid of a pop dance/vocal group and a rock outfit that plays instruments, Japanese boy band XY was formed through the talent competition show YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X and is produced by X JAPAN bandleader YOSHIKI. KISS Demon Gene Simmons, among others, served as a celebrity judge on the series, which was the No. 1 variety program on NTV and Hulu Japan in 2022 during its first season.
Now, season two is underway — but not without controversy. Specifically, just before the new season’s October 29th debut, NTV announced that Japanese pop icon Yuya Tegoshi had joined XY, a polarizing move among the fandom.
Recovering from recent cervical spinal surgery in L.A., YOSHIKI has weighed in, showing his unwavering support for XY. “We had a meeting last night about #XY,” he posted on X. “I accepted their sincere apology. My feelings of disappointment have been replaced by feelings of gratitude.”
The addition of Tegoshi is not the first significant lineup change that XY has undergone: In November 2022, while XY were preparing their debut, the group’s 19-year-old lead vocalist Yoshi was killed in a motorcycle accident. Under YOSHIKI’s guidance, XY persevered though the tragedy, releasing a string of successful singles across 2023 and 2024.
The next episode of YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X airs Sunday, November 5th.