“Rivals with Hearts2Hearts? Just Healthy Competition” From IVE’s Little Sister to K-pop’s Next Big Thing: Can KiiiKiii Rise to the Top?

Rookie girl group KiiiKiii (Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, Kya) made their highly anticipated debut on March 24 with their first mini album “UNCUT GEM”, holding a showcase at Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Yongsan, Seoul.

“UNCUT GEM” is an album that captures KiiiKiii’s bold and inquisitive spirit, as they explore questions about youth and identity through vibrant, genre-blending sounds. The group aims to express themselves freely, without pressure, and in a refreshing direction.
Their title track “I DO ME” is a pop-dance anthem delivering the message of a self-assured girl who lives confidently by trusting her instincts.

During the showcase, Haum shared her excitement, “It was our first time performing on a music show, and the fans cheered so loudly. It gave us so much energy it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
The group has already received warm praise for their pre-release promotions. Sui added, “With ‘I DO ME’, we wanted to spread smiles and joy. Through our track ‘BTG (Been That Girl)’, we’re hoping to show cooler rap and performance sides. We’ll keep working hard to show even better versions of ourselves.”
As the junior group to IVE, KiiiKiii has attracted major attention even before debut. Kya shared, “We recently met the IVE seniors when delivering our album. They cheered us on and gave us warm advice. We were so thankful.”

Jiyu also reflected, “During trainee days, I briefly practiced with the IVE seniors. Since I share the same vocal coach as IVE’s Liz, we chatted while passing by. She cheered me on and said ‘fighting’. I was really grateful.”
On being called “IVE’s younger sister group,” Sui responded, “It’s more of an honor than pressure. IVE are amazing role models, and while we want to follow in their footsteps, we also want to establish our own identity as KiiiKiii.”

When asked about rival group comparisons particularly with Hearts2Hearts from SM Entertainment, who debuted around the same time KiiiKiii humbly responded, “Rather than seeing them as rivals, we see it as an honor to debut during the same era. We hope we can inspire each other as peers.”
Wrapping up, the members emphasized that their charm lies in their “Gen-Z vibes”, “All senior artists are our role models, but our strength is our undefined uniqueness. Our Gen-Z charm is about being fluid and unboxed.”
With such clarity of vision and fearless attitude, KiiiKiii’s debut marks a refreshing and promising start in the new generation of K-pop.