Get to know KiiiKiii and how they’re hoping to embody a free-spirited energy in K-pop.
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Whether you want to admit it or not, we’re in the middle of the 5th generation of K-pop, and with that comes the rising trend of how K-pop idols have been debuting younger and younger these days. We’re now reaching the point where idols are straddling the line between Gen Z and Gen Alpha. But being young, especially in an industry that thrives off innovation and doing new things, isn’t exactly a bad thing. In fact, it’s in your youth that you can find some of the best parts of your life. Just ask K-pop girl group KiiiKiii.
I DO ME
If you have your ears on the K-pop world, you may have heard of KiiiKiii because of the fact that they are Starship Entertainment’s newest girl group, making them the sibling group of acts such as MONSTA X and IVE. Or, you may have seen the group drop the music video for their song, I DO ME, even before all the members were revealed. There’s a lot behind KiiiKiii, but the group is here to tell their own story with their official debut and release of their debut EP, UNCUT GEM.
Composed of members JIYU, SUI, KYA, LEESOL, and HAUM, the five-member girl group looks to bring a fresh perspective to the industry, one brimming with youthful energy the girls hope to emulate for their careers. From Tumblr-esque Y2K-inspired visuals to a nostalgia-meets-modern aesthetic, KiiiKiii wants the world to know that they’re here to have a good time, and want you to join them.
“Trainee days weren’t easy, and there were tough moments with evaluations and song prep. But now, having finally debuted as KiiiKiii and performing on the stages we once only dreamed about—it feels like we’re living our dream,” shares KYA in an interview with NYLON Manila.
The girls unlocked a core memory with their debut, and with their skills, lessons, and pedigree behind them, it’s a moment they’re ready for. “We feel incredibly motivated knowing we’re following in the footsteps of senior artists like IVE, who have put in so much hard work,” says HAUM. “Their dedication inspires us to give our best effort, rather than feeling pressured.”
One thing about K-pop, it adapts to the times. As generations come and go and the oldest of Gen Alpha starts to reach their teen years, what it means to be a K-pop group has changed. KiiiKiii’s thesis as a group is all about the vibes, and we mean that in a good way. As JIYU explains, “KiiiKiii is all about embracing fresh, fun energy. We’re different, and that’s what makes us stand out. Our vibe connects with Gen Z and Gen Alpha because it’s all about being free-spirited, playful, and exciting.”
While “youth” and “K-pop” have found themselves together in many sentences over the years, it feels refreshing in a way to see the group unapologetically embrace the fact that they are young (the youngest member, KYA, was born in 2010). For KiiiKiii, it’s really not that serious, and it even reflects in their name, which is meant to represent the sound of someone laughing. “To us, K-pop is all about bringing joy and positive energy,” expresses SUI. “It’s a culture that’s about making people smile, and we want to contribute to that. We will continue to work hard to make a positive impact on K-pop.”
As KiiiKiii steps into the world as official K-pop idols, they promise to keep it fun with a Gen Z twist, something K-pop admittedly could use more of these days. “KiiiKiii is about to bring a whole new side of K-pop that’s never been seen before. We’re pushing boundaries and creating new paths. We’re super excited for what’s ahead and we know fans will be too,” adds LEESOL.
In one of the group’s first global interviews following their debut, KiiiKiii opens up about their road to debut, their music, how they view K-pop, and more. Read the full interview below.
First of all, congratulations on your debut. What’s the first thing you did when you realized you were going to debut as a K-pop idol?
SUI: When we first found out about our debut, tears were the first thing that came to our eyes. At that moment, we just hugged each other.
Do you recall the first time you met each other? What were your first impressions of each other?
JIYU: I remember meeting a few of the members more clearly than others, but what stands out is how sweet, kind, and thoughtful everyone was from the start.
KYA: The first thing I remember about JIYU is thinking she was younger than me! I was totally shocked when I found out she was actually four years older than me! That was a real surprise.
Considering that your Starship Entertainment’s newest girl group and your sister group is IVE, do you feel any pressure having that much pedigree behind you?
HAUM: We feel incredibly motivated knowing we’re following in the footsteps of senior artists like IVE, who have put in so much hard work. Their dedication inspires us to give our best effort, rather than feeling pressured.
Your motto is “Don’t lose your cheerfulness, even in an imperfect reality.” What personally makes you happy or cheerful?
KYA: We’re all about lifting each other up. We chat, joke around, and have fun together even when we’re busy. It’s that bond and humor that keeps us going through everything.
SUI: Honestly, meeting our fans after debut has been one of the happiest moments. Their energy is incredible—it really fuels us and makes us even more excited to keep going.
What was it like working on your debut and would you say the experience was what you thought it would be like when you were still trainees?
KYA: Trainee days weren’t easy, and there were tough moments with evaluations and song prep. But now, having finally debuted as KiiiKiii and performing on the stages we once only dreamed about—it feels like we’re living our dream. The journey has been totally worth it!
DEBUT SONG is a fun and interesting track with how it turns the tune of Happy Birthday to one celebrating your debut. Could you share how that song came to be?
JIYU: Our DEBUT SONG is all about celebrating our new beginning as KiiiKiii. It’s playful, lighthearted, and packed with humor. We wanted to combine the excitement of a birthday celebration with a quirky twist, and we felt this was the perfect way to introduce ourselves.
I DO ME was released out of the blue and came as a surprise to many since not all members were revealed at the time the music video dropped. What was your reaction when you learned the video was going to be a surprise release?
KYA: We knew it would be a bit of a shock to the fans, but we loved the idea of doing something unexpected. It felt very KiiiKiii, a little different from the usual, and we were super excited to greet fans in this unconventional way.
All of you are very young, being in both Gen Z and Gen Alpha. How do you think your youth and as part of the new generation contribute to KiiiKiii’s identity?
JIYU: KiiiKiii is all about embracing fresh, fun energy. We’re different, and that’s what makes us stand out. Our vibe connects with Gen Z and Gen Alpha because it’s all about being free-spirited, playful, and exciting.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha love Y2K nostalgia and modern youthfulness, something that is also noticeable in your visual aesthetic. For you, how do you express yourself in a way that marries the old with the new?
KYA: We have members from both Gen Z and Gen Alpha, each bringing something unique to the table—whether it’s fashion, vibes, or energy. We blend vintage elements with modern twists to create a “newtro” feel, mixing our love for the past with a contemporary vibe.
HAUM: We’ve made it our goal to express ourselves authentically by carving our own path. KiiiKiii is about redefining visuals in a way that feels true to who we are, bringing something totally new to the table.
What’s the best part about being young?
KYA: We get to be carefree, pure, and natural. It’s such a gift to be able to connect with people in that way. I believe our energy, brightness, and authenticity are things that will resonate with everyone.
How would you describe K-pop through the lens of KiiiKiii?
SUI: To us, K-pop is all about bringing joy and positive energy. It’s a culture that’s about making people smile, and we want to contribute to that. We will continue to work hard to make a positive impact on K-pop.
With how global K-pop is now, it’s safe to say you already have listeners around the world. As a rookie girl group with so many accessible platforms, how do you navigate the Korean side of K-pop with the global aspect of the genre?
JIYU: We’re always looking for ways to blend Korean culture into everything we do—whether it’s through games, choreography, or lyrics. We believe it’s the perfect way to share the beauty of Korean culture with fans around the world. It’s all about connecting cultures and making something truly global.
Why do you think people should watch out for KiiiKiii and the new generation of K-pop artists in general?
LEESOL: KiiiKiii is about to bring a whole new side of K-pop that’s never been seen before. We’re pushing boundaries and creating new paths. We’re super excited for what’s ahead and we know fans will be too.
KYA: There’s so much diversity in the K-pop world now, with idols debuting in different genres and concepts. We’re here to offer something fresh, fun, and totally unique. That’s definitely worth paying attention to.
What are you most excited for with the start of your K-pop journey?
SUI: We’re beyond excited to perform on so many stages and meet fans in person. It’s been incredible already, and the best part is knowing that there’s so much more to come.
JIYU: We want to bring laughter, energy, and happiness to people. That’s our goal as KiiiKiii. We can’t wait to share more music and performances with you all. It’s going to be an amazing journey!
LEESOL: I’m really excited to connect with fans around the world and share our music with them. Most of all, I’m thrilled to feel their love and support, and I hope to make them proud of everything we do. It’s a big journey ahead, and I’m ready to give it my all!
Photos courtesy of Starship Entertainment
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