When Ok-Pop woman group KiiiKiii unexpectedly burst onto the scene final month with their pre-release single, “I Do Me,” it was clear there was one thing particular in regards to the five-member group.
The group’s firm, Starship Leisure, a subsidiary of Kakao Leisure, began teasing the teenager group with late ’00s Tumblr blog-worthy photographs on their social media account, calling the content material “KiiiKiii-core.” KiiiKiii’s contemporary and youthful presence doesn’t cease with their social media accounts — the woman group has a way of caprice and enjoyable that the Ok-Pop scene can all the time use extra of.
The group — made up of members Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum and Kya — have launched their first EP, Uncut Gem, that includes the sunshine and enjoyable “I Do Me” together with the quirky, tongue-in-cheek “Debut Music” and rap-heavy “BTG.”
Under, the members of KiiiKiii communicate with The Hollywood Reporter for considered one of their first U.S. interviews about Uncut Gem, their pleasure in regards to the early success of “I Do Me” and what units them aside as a gaggle.
How have issues been because you debuted with “I Do Me” and have been making ready to launch your EP?
JIYU We’re very enthusiastic about every little thing. Acting on stage or assembly our followers, every little thing is thrilling and we’re so glad. We ready very arduous for our album.
Jiyu, 18, serves as a vocalist, rapper, dancer and the group’s chief.
Courtesy of Starship Leisure
How are you discovering working collectively as a staff, particularly as you put together for the album to return out?
LEESOL It’s good to arrange our album with these 5 members as a result of we can provide one another suggestions and enhance our expertise. We are able to take a look at what’s flawed and what’s right and hold bettering as a staff.
JIYU I believe these 5 members met and made an ideal KiiiKiii.
How are you feeling in regards to the album?
LEESOL We needed to point out a distinct viewpoint with our first pre-release music “I Do Me,” and now we’ve launched 5 extra songs. They’re all various kinds of songs, and the style of music is completely different, so we are able to present completely different expressions, vocals and rapping.
Leesol, 19, is a rapper and the group’s eldest member.
Courtesy of Starship Leisure
Does anybody have a favourite music from Uncut Gem?
ALL Our favourite songs are “BTG” and “I Do Me.”
Have been you shocked by how a lot folks beloved “I Do Me?” It’s doing nicely on the charts in Korea [it sits at No. 15 on the Melon Top 100 chart] and has had a giant response internationally.
JIYU We didn’t count on how a lot folks would love the music. We’re actually honored that the lots like our songs and idea. We wish to develop greater and problem ourselves extra. We are able to’t consider it.
What do you assume units you aside and makes you particular as a gaggle?
SUI Our teamwork.
KYA [We’re] pleasant.
HAUM [We’re] all the time smiling.
LEESOL We are able to ship folks good vibes and power. We’re additionally all the time glad whereas performing, so we’re grateful that folks can really feel our happiness.
How was it filming the “I Do Me” video?
LEESOL We went to New Zealand to shoot our music video. The surroundings was actually stunning.
JIYU Actually superb.
LEESOL We had been capable of get pleasure from it extra as a result of the surroundings was stunning. We simply performed and laughed and joked with one another. Our director took that and filmed it.
Are you able to discuss a bit about songs like “Groundwork” that present a distinct facet of yourselves as a gaggle than “I Do Me.”
KYA It’s actually [the] reverse.
JIYU ”I Do Me” is telling the group’s story, however “Groundwork” is about our particular person personalities, our particular person story. The lyrics are about every member’s persona.
LEESOL When it comes to efficiency, “I Do Me” is extra targeted on freedom and good vibes however “Groundwork” is concentrated on energy and power.
Haum, 18, is a vocalist and rapper in KiiiKiii.
Courtesy of Starship Leisure
Is there something you hope to form of accomplish in these first few months or within the first 12 months as a gaggle?
JIYU We wish to develop as a lot as we are able to, and we wish to make folks glad once they watch our performances or hearken to our music.
Is there something you wish to share that you simply assume is essential for potential followers within the U.S. to find out about you as a gaggle?
LEESOL Initially, we’re completely different than different groups. We’ve KiiiKiii-core, and I hope that you simply guys love KiiiKiii-core.
JIYU We actually wish to go to the U.S., so we hope to see you at a live performance or one thing or [at] an awesome efficiency. (Group laughs.)
Sui, 18, is a vocalist in KiiiKiii.
Courtesy of Starship Leisure
Have you ever obtained any recommendation on this early stage of your profession from both different artists at your organization, or simply usually, that you simply discovered to be actually useful?
LEESOL Our senior artists at Starship Leisure instructed us to be wholesome and glad and to only benefit from the stage.
What do you hope that folks take away from Uncut Gem?
LEESOL We hope that folks may be interested by KiiiKiii. After listening to our EP, then folks may assume, “Oh, KiiiKiii?”
JIYU We hope that folks will see our potential, and hold wanting ahead to KiiiKiii and change into our fan.
Kya, 14, is a vocalist and the group’s youngest member.
Courtesy of Starship Leisure
What’s it about music or the trade that made you wish to change into an idol within the first place? Was there a selected artist or a second that you simply determined that is what you needed to do?
LEESOL After I was a pupil, through the small break I’d get in between finding out, I watched a number of artists’ efficiency movies. I’d get power and happiness from them. After I felt that form of emotion, I made a decision to change into an idol and ship out the happiness and power that I felt.
KYA After I was 12, I went to Charlie Puth’s live performance. I watched Charlie’s followers use their cellphone flashlight [during the concert] and thought it was actually stunning. I believed to myself, I wish to be on that stage.
KiiiKiii have launched a brand new music video for “BTG,” a rap-heavy monitor showcasing a distinct facet of themselves.
Courtesy of Starship Leisure
When you might return in time to once you began your trainee journey, what wouldn’t it be?
JIYU Really, I didn’t count on to reside this life. I’m actually happy with my job. I observed that once I’m on stage and assembly followers, I felt true happiness — so hold watching us and loving us.
