KiiiKiii: Starship Entertainment's New Girl Group Set to Make Waves

KiiiKiii Unveiled: Starship Entertainment's New Girl Group

Starship Entertainment has introduced its new girl group, KiiiKiii, generating significant buzz as the younger sister group to IVE. The group has been making waves with their bold debut promotions, capturing the attention of music fans.

On the night of the 16th, Starship surprised fans by releasing the music video for KiiiKiii's pre-release track 'I DO ME' on their official YouTube channel. This follows the unexpected announcement of their debut on the 10th via their official SNS accounts, marking another bold move.

While it was known that Starship was launching a new girl group, details about the members and concept were scarce, sparking curiosity. KiiiKiii made a strong first impression with their music video, drawing viewers' attention to the members due to the lack of prior information. This approach is reminiscent of NewJeans' debut strategy, which also involved releasing a music video without a teaser. As a result, KiiiKiii's pre-release music video quickly climbed to the second spot on YouTube's trending videos on the 17th.

KiiiKiii's concept, music, and unique vocal tones have received positive feedback. The five members are seen running freely in a field, with the nature-themed music video complementing their distinct voices. Unlike IVE, who exude a princess or magical girl vibe, KiiiKiii offers a different path, allowing them to grow domestically while IVE expands internationally. This dual-track strategy could enable Starship to capture both domestic and international markets.

Starship has a track record of successful girl groups. SISTAR dominated as summer queens, and WJSN won Mnet's survival program 'Queendom.' With IVE's success, Starship's ability to nurture girl groups is well-established. IVE's double title tracks 'REBEL HEART' and 'ATTITUDE' achieved significant success, with 'REBEL HEART' topping Melon's 'Top 100' chart.

KiiiKiii's debut album is set for release on the 24th of next month, with the pre-release track dropping on the 24th of this month. Coincidentally, SM Entertainment's new girl group, Hearts2Hearts, is also debuting on the same day, setting the stage for a head-to-head showdown. SM, one of the big four entertainment companies, has a history of successful girl groups, including Girls' Generation, f(x), Red Velvet, and aespa. This competition could draw significant attention to KiiiKiii, showcasing Starship's confidence in their new group.

With over a month until their official debut, anticipation for KiiiKiii continues to build. As Starship has successfully launched groups like SISTAR, WJSN, and IVE, all eyes are on whether KiiiKiii will cement Starship's reputation as a powerhouse for girl groups.

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr