Pop group XG on the ‘pure survival' of training and global success

The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsFootball 2026SportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifyFootball 2026SportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveJapanese pop group XG went from brutal five year training to global pop stars2 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMark SavageMusic correspondentXGALXXG's hits include Hypnotise, Mascara and Left RightEvery night, before they take the stage, the seven members of pop group XG form a circle and join hands. Band leader Jurin shouts "Hesono", and the other members reply with a loud shout of "Oh", flinging their arms towards the sky.

They're not the only band to have pre-show ritual – but there's a special message behind XG's chant.

Hesono-o (or, more accurately へその緒) is the Japanese word for umbilical cord. It can symbolise someone's fate or destiny from birth. For XG, the phrase represents the intensity of their bond.

"We're so strongly connected, we're always thinking the same things," says Chisa, the group's oldest member.

"In our early days, I actually had a dream we were connected by an umbilical cord, like a mother and child.