by HQ
Photo credit: STARSHIP Entertainment
With a viral debut and bold aesthetic that redefined rookie girl group rollouts, KiiiKiii has quickly become one of the most talked-about new acts in K-pop. From their mysterious #WhoIsKiiiKiii campaign to the surprise drop of “I DO ME,” the quintet has consistently chosen the unexpected.
Their debut EP UNCUT GEM captivated both domestic and global audiences with over 30 million Spotify streams, while their creative direction earned praise from DAZED and fans alike. Now, with a new single “DANCING ALONE” arriving August 6, KiiiKiii is stepping into a new sonic chapter — one that celebrates emotional freedom, individuality, and city pop flair. We caught up with the group ahead of the release to talk about their journey, influences, and what fans can expect next.
Their debut EP UNCUT GEM captivated both domestic and global audiences with over 30 million Spotify streams, while their creative direction earned praise from DAZED and fans alike. Now, with a new single “DANCING ALONE” arriving August 6, KiiiKiii is stepping into a new sonic chapter — one that celebrates emotional freedom, individuality, and city pop flair. We caught up with the group ahead of the release to talk about their journey, influences, and what fans can expect next.
<h3>Every day feels like a gift. We truly didn’t expect this much support. We hope you’re just as excited for our upcoming comeback—our new single [DANCING ALONE], please look forward to it!</h3>
You had one of the most unique rollouts of any K-pop group this year. How did the #WhoIsKiiiKiii campaign come about?
JIYU: We wanted our first impression to feel different—more creative and less expected. To us, KiiiKiii is a name with room for interpretation: a little mysterious, a little playful, and open-ended in the best way. So instead of defining it ourselves right away, we thought it would be more meaningful to let different artists express what they thought KiiiKiii could be. That became the heart of the #WhoIsKiiiKiii campaign.
“I DO ME” made a huge impact globally. Did you expect that level of response for your debut?
JIYU: We honestly had no idea we would receive this kind of reaction. It’s been such an honor, and we’re beyond grateful for all the love and attention!
LEESOL: Every day feels like a gift. We truly didn’t expect this much support. We hope you’re just as excited for our upcoming comeback—our new single [DANCING ALONE], please look forward to it!
Your debut EP UNCUT GEM has already passed 30 million streams. What message did you want to share with that project?
LEESOL: With our debut album, we wanted to show that our honesty and unique style are like a raw, [UNCUT GEM]. We ask big questions and find our own answers without being forced or limited. Our music is open to interpretation, and we express our feelings directly—like a conversation. That confidence in being different is what allows us, KiiiKiii, to boldly tell our story.
Let’s talk about your new single “DANCING ALONE.” What inspired the song and its retro city pop sound? Tell us what the song is about?
Let’s talk about your new single “DANCING ALONE.” What inspired the song and its retro city pop sound? Tell us what the song is about?
KYA: With “DANCING ALONE”, we wanted to redefine being alone as a moment of freedom and connection—really about friendship. “Strawberry Cheesegame” explores the complicated feelings that come with close friendships, like jealousy and admiration, all wrapped in a fresh synth sound. Both songs express how friendship shapes our emotions and experiences as Gen Z.
Even though the title sounds lonely, the song is about emotional freedom. What does “DANCING ALONE” mean to each of you personally?
SUI: Even though it’s called “DANCING ALONE,” it’s actually all about friendship for us. As we danced to it together, it really brought us closer and became a source of strength for all of us in KiiiKiii. So for me, “DANCING ALONE” is about those beautiful, glowing moments of friendship—when you just get each other without having to say anything.
HAUM: When looking at the title just as it is, it might sound like it’s about dancing by yourself. But as you give a look into the lyrics and choreography, you’ll see it’s really about the strength of our bond as five. At its core, I believe it’s a song that shows our real emotions and how much we mean to one another.
How has your group dynamic grown since debut? What’s something you’ve learned about each other?
KYA: We’ve been noticing more and more moments where everything just clicks between us, and it really makes us feel like—yeah, we’re a real team now.
JIYU: Since debut, we’ve definitely grown as a group. We’ve become more mature and better at handling different situations together. We’ve also gotten to know each other so much better—just from living together and talking all the time. We’ve learned each other’s little habits, personal styles, and even tiny preferences. It’s made our bond stronger than ever.
You’ve become known for bold visuals and fashion. Who or what influences your creative direction? Do you personally have a strong interest in those areas?
LEESOL: Yes, fashion and beauty are both areas we’ve always been genuinely drawn to. We often find ourselves exploring fashion magazines for inspiration and taking time to reflect on what styles best express who we are.
SUI: Some of our outfits have even featured hand-drawn designs by us, and we love that our visuals and styling reflect each member’s unique character and personality. So yes, fashion is something we’re genuinely passionate about!
What kind of concept or sound do you hope to try next as KiiiKiii evolves?
HAUM: So far, each of our songs has had its own distinct concept, and we’ve focused on showing KiiiKiii’s versatility and freshness. Moving forward, we’d love to keep that variety, but explore concepts with a more effortless, free-spirited energy.
KYA: We hope to create music that feels like a small source of comfort in the middle of a tiring day—something that can lift you up, even just a little.
What do you hope fans take away from this comeback? Any special message for them?
JIYU: Through this comeback, we really want to share a sense of freedom, the beauty of the moment, and the warmth of knowing you’re not alone—that you’re part of something together.
To our fans, TiiiKiii, we want to say: KiiiKiii will always be here to hold you. Let’s keep smiling and move forward together.
LEESOL: This time, we’re telling a story about friendship—one that holds so many different emotions at once. The fact that we get to share those feelings with our fans makes it more
special. We hope this is just the beginning of many happy memories we’ll create, side by side.