JIHYO is the second member of TWICE to release solo music, following the footsteps of NAYEON, who debuted last year with POP! JIHYO’s lead single is titled Killin’ Me Good and it is contained on her first solo mini-album, Zone – both of which dropped yesterday. JIHYO’s solo debut also follows TWICE’s early 2023 comeback with READY TO BE, TWICE’s Japanese comeback with Hare Hare and the debut of the group’s first unit (MISAMO) in Japan.

First impression of Killin’ Me Good yesterday is that JIHYO captivates in this solo debut project. Her vocals stand out from the very beginning and are an absolute highlight. I also like the fact that the vocals are bold and doesn’t waver at any point, which helps makes Killin’ Me Good a compelling listen. Her vocals also help propel the song forward, which also gives the song tenacity and drive. The instrumentation sits firmly in the R&B realm of music, but there is also a groovy presence to the song. While this combination isn’t anything new, the instrumentation of Killin’ Me Good feels amply upbeat and its boldness does work well with JIHYO’s vocals. My first listen to the song yesterday did deliver the impression that there might be a bit too much to the instrumentation, but that thought is officially long gone from my head. I am absolute in love the post-chorus sequence of the song that features the line “You’re making me feel something new“. It is more so how that sequence manages to switch up the momentum, and that JIHYO and the producers does so in a flawless and successfully manner without disrupting the song. Without a doubt, Killin’ Me Good is a successful solo debut in my books and I cannot wait to check out the mini-album and hear more from JIHYO.

The music video shows the breakdown of a relationship. At the start and for the majority of the video, we see the relationship between JIHYO and the male lead appear as strong as a rock. But once we enter the bridge of the song, the relationship breaks down with unanswered calls and text messages. Ultimately, this leaves JIHYO to call it quits and become a new version of herself. Upon reflection, I feel the lyrics of the song can be interpreted both ways. A relationship can make someone feel good (what the literal meaning of the lyrics are), but it can easily be dangerous (what the lyrics could potentially mean if you read between the lines). The fact that the music video does provoke thoughts about the lyrics and its meaning is pretty cool. I also really like the choreography scenes and JIHYO’s solo shots. She looks very pretty throughout and her outfits felt bold.

JIHYO’s command of the stage and stage presence made for a stage to watch. She killed it all departments, from vocals to dance moves. I really like how she doesn’t shy away from the routine at any point, and the moves were perfectly executed in both strong and sexy points of view. If you want to take anything away from this whole comeback, it is simply that JIHYO was born to be on stage.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.2/10