First in Class: Xu Minghao (THE 8)

Xu Minghao (THE 8) is no time traveller, but he may as well be. “I feel like I’m living in the future because what I’m doing right now allows me to visualise my future self,” he says. “I can clearly see that version of me holding a solo concert and envision exactly how it all unfolds.”

It’s an almost abstract way of being in the present, but it has allowed him to glimpse the version of himself he is striving to become. “As long as I keep moving forward at my current pace, I can see it happening — even if the timing might vary slightly,” he adds.

This mindset has perhaps illuminated the path forward for the 28-year-old star, carrying him from his debut as a member of the 13-member K-pop boyband SEVENTEEN to his pursuit of his own signature style that reflects his evolution as an artiste. Whether through V8, a sub-unit he recently formed with fellow group member Vernon, or his own songs such as Sea City , Star Crossing Night (featuring Gali) and Love is Gone which incorporate everything from soft melancholic sounds to bold aggressive beats, every expression is a note in his ongoing pursuit of the craft. 

Measured, introspective and grounded, he chooses his words with purpose. Here, he tells GQ Singapore about the world he is building, how bridging the realms of fashion, music and visual art is vital to his artistry, and what living in the moment means to him.

Are you establishing a signature identity for yourself through your songwriting process? And when it comes to your music and creations, what is the criterion you use to judge whether they meet the standard for release?

I don’t think I have a specific, exclusive label for my music right now. I’m still learning when it comes to music, and I approach a wide range of cultural influences with an open mind. Ultimately, what I’m doing now is simply what I enjoy. For me, everything starts with personal preference. As I gradually create the music I love, a personal style will likely emerge. 

When it comes to deciding whether a track is ready for public release, the core criterion is simply whether I vibe with it. If I like it, I may put it out. Of course, that process requires a significant investment of time and genuine dedication to the work. It’s not about finishing something and casually thinking, “Oh, this sounds pretty good” or forcing it. It’s not like that at all.

If you encounter a lack of understanding regarding your musical style, would you persist in expressing it, or would you make appropriate adjustments? 

Honestly, I don’t think I’d make any adjustments lightly. For one thing, I believe in creating the kind of music I genuinely love. That’s what makes the work authentic. I wouldn’t want to change direction simply because I heard some criticism or negative feedback. However, if that criticism sparked a new idea or perspective, then I might choose to make changes based on that realisation. 

As for the idea that my music might be misunderstood, well, I can’t speak for everyone, for me, it’s simply about making the music I love. Doing what I enjoy while also having so many people connect with and appreciate it, then that, to me, is the greatest happiness.

Among the works you’ve released, which one do you consider your signature piece, or which one best represents the direction you are heading in?

I don’t really feel I have a single signature work because every piece represents who I am at that specific moment. While the recently released 8DM might best reflect my current creative approach, I imagine I’ll evolve again soon. After all, what I want to express and the music I listen to change with every phase. That said, for now, I’m building on electronic elements to create pop music, or perhaps music that blends various genres. I’m going to keep at it.

If you encounter a particular work that feels especially agonising or one where you feel uncertain, how do you handle that?

If I hit a bottleneck with a particular song while making music, I’ll likely just stop working on it. It usually means I’m not yet capable of handling it, or it feels forced, so I’ll set it aside. Since I’m not under any deadlines or external pressure to produce specific music — I’m simply doing what I love — I tend to step away and work on something else when I run into that kind of obstacle. I might pick it up again later if I have the time. I really don’t want to put too much pressure on myself when it comes to making music.

How has your relationship with fashion changed?

Honestly, I feel that the underlying rhythm behind everything I do, including fashion, is pretty much the same. It all comes down to doing what you love and, above all, experimenting a lot. With clothes, the more you try things, the more you understand what suits you and how to express your attitude in different settings. 

As for my inspiration, or rather, my approach to styling these days, I don’t really look for inspiration in the traditional sense anymore. I’ve tried so many different things over the years. There are definitely times when I look back and think, “Wow, that looked silly.” Now, I prioritise comfort, quality, and a touch of personal flair. With work being so busy lately, my daily wear has naturally become more relaxed. However, I don’t like to look sloppy. So, even when I’m not going all out, I still make sure I look polished whenever I step out the door.

How do you bridge the realms of music, visual art and more?

For me, it is really about how I convey my own feelings through various mediums, whether it’s music, the stage, visuals, or even fashion. I want these elements to form a unified whole rather than remaining separate, compartmentalised versions of me. I’ve been working in this field for 11 years now, and my goal is for everything I do to reflect my true self, for people to see exactly who I am in every project I undertake. 

I believe each medium serves a different function. Music might strike directly at the soul, allowing you to feel the message I’m conveying, while a specific space might evoke a completely different set of emotions. It’s about the feelings that arise within that specific environment. I want to share my work from a multi-dimensional perspective, allowing everyone to sense my sincerity. 

Ultimately, the most important thing to me is fostering a sense of connection and empathy. While it’s impossible to resonate with everyone in the exact same way, I believe that when people experience a piece of work, they project their own worlds and emotions onto it. Sometimes a specific piece of music might not resonate with someone, yet the spatial art might. Each medium offers a different experience. That is why I hope to convey my vision through multiple mediums, allowing everyone to truly feel the world I am creating.

When everything eventually becomes a memory, what do you most want to remember?

To be honest, I don’t really dwell on my past self or how I used to be. The question of what specific aspects of myself I want to remember isn’t actually that important to me. What matters most is living fully in the present. It’s something I’ve been striving to do. I want to avoid letting a past version of myself trap me in the here and now, while also avoiding the kind of confusion that comes from obsessing over the person I might want to become in the future. Rather than focusing on what I want to remember about myself, I hope that the people who know me will simply remember the present moment. If they can recall a specific instant where our paths crossed or we shared a connection, that would make me truly happy. 

What does a meaningful life look like to you?

I feel this question is a bit too big for me. I don’t really know what constitutes a meaningful life. I am deeply grateful for everything I have, yet I’m unsure if these things are truly meaningful to my soul. For now, all I can do is pursue what I love, walk each step of my journey with my feet firmly on the ground, and strive not to let down those who love and support me, while giving back to them with all my energy. Yes, that is what feels meaningful to me at this moment.

Photography: LESS
Editorial Director: Jumius Wong
Creative Direction and Styling: Jenine Oh
Hair: Lee Jae Sun/ JSL Studio
Makeup: Kim Si Jin/ Blow
Executive Producer: Lee Kyung Kim
Casting: Even Yu
Production: BL Creative House
Production Assistants: Lee Jin Kyoung, Park Mi Jeong