KiiiKiii is targeting the global pop music scene with a clearer team identity and bold musical challenges.
On the 10th, KiiiKiii released their third mini album "WhyKiiiKiii" through various online music platforms. This new release is their first work in seven months since the previous album "Delulu Pack." Earlier, with "404 (New Era)" they topped Melon and Circle charts and entered major U.S. Billboard charts, showcasing formidable influence; through this album they plan to demonstrate further evolved musical capabilities by breaking down boundaries of genre and concept.
Ahead of the comeback, KiiiKiii developed a "WhyKiiiKiii tour" concept across their website, social media and an offline pop-up store, building their own unique summer world view. Living up to high expectations, the new title track "Pop Off Pop Off" reached No. 1 on YouTube music video trending worldwide, No. 1 on Bugs real-time chart, and as of the morning of the 11th was No. 29 on Melon TOP100, achieving strong results, and every track on the album secured a spot on the Melon HOT100 chart.
In addition, on the 8th (local time) they captivated local audiences by showcasing solid live and performance skills honed through university festivals on the stage of the major U.S. music festival Head in the Clouds LA 2026. Showing an uninhibited leap and a clear presence, KiiiKiii shared candid stories about the new album "WhyKiiiKiii."
The following are KiiiKiii's Q&A.
Q1. How do you feel about returning with the new album "WhyKiiiKiii"?
Jiyu: After preparing for so long, I'm finally so excited that it's a comeback. I'm very proud to present a summer song that contains KiiiKiii's own color, and I especially hope Tiki, our official fan club, likes it a lot.
Isol: As the album title "WhyKiiiKiii" suggests, we prepared it hoping everyone who listens will feel like they have come to a refreshing resort. Through this album, I hope more people discover our diverse charms.
Sui: I always had a dream of a summer song that everyone can enjoy, so I'm so happy to finally be able to show KiiiKiii's summer song, and I really enjoyed preparing it. I hope many people, including Tiki, blow away the heat with our music.
Haeum: I loved everything about this album from the songs to the concept, so I prepared it eager to show it to Tiki as soon as possible. I'm happy to finally be able to show it, and I hope it becomes a gift to the Tiki who waited for our comeback.
Kiya: I'm so happy and grateful to be able to make a comeback amid the interest and support of many people. I'll do my best in activities so we can repay you with the stages we'll show in the future! Please look forward to it a lot!
Q2. This is a comeback after the previous album's title track "404 (New Era)" received great love. Did you feel any pressure?
Jiyu: First of all, I spent each day with gratitude because so many people loved "404 (New Era)." I did feel some pressure, but I really liked this concept, and I was confident we had more to show, so it became a pleasant source of motivation.
Kiya: Rather, there was a tension of wanting to do better, which helped me focus on preparing this album. Because Tiki and many people are looking forward to us, I wanted to show a cooler and newer side and felt a stronger desire to grow than before.
Q3. Every teaser release caused a big stir. You consistently show Y2K and retro sensibilities; did you make any efforts to express and embody the atmosphere of an era the members themselves did not directly experience?
Isol: As always, especially with this concept I had the desire to really pull it off well. So I looked up music, fashion and seniors' music videos that were popular in the 2010s to experience that era, and I kept trying facial expressions and poses that could convey that atmosphere.
Haeum: I originally liked looking up various fashion items and makeup, but while preparing this album I tried more daring challenges to incorporate trends that were popular at the time into the concept photos and music video.
Q4. What is the biggest charm of the title track "Pop Off Pop Off"? Please introduce points you want people to pay attention to.
Sui: I think the charm of "Pop Off Pop Off" is the melody that keeps coming back to mind once you hear it and the fun lyrics. If you focus on the playful lyrics about overcoming the hot summer in KiiiKiii's way, you can enjoy this song even more energetically.
Haeum: The choreography, which makes you want to dance just by watching it, also plays a part. In particular, we reinterpreted the shuffle dance that evokes nostalgia in KiiiKiii's own way, and I hope many people enjoy it together.
Q5. Before this album was released you performed at various stages including university festivals; what parts of that helped with comeback preparation?
Jiyu: First, performing up close with audiences at university festivals and festival stages left such good memories that the desire to "get on more stages with new songs" became a major driving force. Also, by finding shortcomings or areas where we could improve on stage, we tried to reflect those a lot in our comeback preparations.
Kiya: Going through various stages I felt firsthand that our harmony with the older members and the team's energy grew stronger, and I practiced really hard because I wanted to show better vocals and performances on stage.
Q6. Through the new release "WhyKiiiKiii," what goals do you want to achieve and how would you like to be remembered by the public?
Isol: Because so many people loved "404 (New Era)," I'd be really happy if we also achieve good chart results this time, and I hope more people experience KiiiKiii's music. Also, we want to be a team that people always say they look forward to next.
Sui: We tried various musical approaches this time, and I hope these challenges leave a good impression on Tiki and many others. I want to be a team that isn't confined to a genre and can make people excited just by the news of our comeback by always showing something new.
Q7. A message to Tiki and listeners who waited for KiiiKiii's new album
Jiyu: Thanks to so many people loving KiiiKiii's music, I'm so happy and grateful to greet you anew with "WhyKiiiKiii." I'm especially grateful to Tiki for waiting so long; let's make unforgettable memories with us this summer as much as you waited! Love you, Tiki!
Isol: Tiki~ we're back with an album that will make this hot summer more fun and refreshing! Thanks to the support of Tiki and many others, I think we were able to complete it more joyfully and happily. We'll repay you with great music and stages, so please look forward to this promotion!
Sui: We prepared this album really hard, and I hope this passion and excited feeling reach everyone who listens to "WhyKiiiKiii." Above all, Tiki, who gives us the greatest strength! We have to run this promotion really excitedly, so get ready and see you soon! Love you!
Haeum: I'm so happy and excited to finally be able to let Tiki hear "WhyKiiiKiii." I'll work really hard during this promotion to become a proud singer with great music and stages, so please send us lots of support. And through "WhyKiiiKiii," I hope more people become curious about KiiiKiii. We'll come with fun stages, so please look forward to them!
Kiya: Finally released "WhyKiiiKiii"! I prepared it thinking of the Tiki who would like it, so I hope you listen a lot and give it love. Also, through various stages we'll gift a refreshing summer with KiiiKiii's charm, so please watch over us! Always thankful and love you, Tiki!<
[photo] Starship Entertainment
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