Tag: KiiiKiii

Last week, KiiiKiii made their first ever comeback with the single DANCING ALONE. This followed their debut with I Do Me and the mini-album Uncut Gem. I have yet to review both, but I did review KiiiKiii’s follow up single BTG.

DANCING ALONE is KiiiKiii’s answer to a summer single. I enjoyed the feel-good vibes that this pop dance track exudes. DANCING ALONE is relatively straightforward in all aspects (vocals, melodies, instrumentation, etc.), so the single comes together well enough so that it doesn’t somehow trip over itself. Consistency can be a problem, but I think DANCING ALONG had enough upbeat energy and development to it, whilst also bringing on other positive feel-good thoughts, so that consistency doesn’t cross my mind. For example, the synth-pop instrumentation evokes a nostalgic vibe, transporting us back to the ’80s. It is also key in making DANCING ALONE upbeat and fun. The smooth melodies are catchy, and I find myself occasionally humming along to them. KiiiKiii’s vocals are perfectly light throughout the song, which is solid for this song. To be a bit critical, a ‘safe’ argument can be made for DANCING ALONE. But the more I listen to DANCING ALONE, the more I fall into the single.

Just like the song, the music video for DANCING ALONE opts for a feel-good vibe. It sees the group hang out with one another whilst at and after school, dancing around, having fun and enjoying each other’s company. I really enjoyed the nostalgia the video brings, as it makes me think about my memories of having fun with friends whilst at school. Oh, life was much simpler back in those days. These memories paint a very big smile on my face, on par with the smiles and energy that the members showcase in the video. But it is the scenes where the members are alone that are probably the most important. DANCING ALONE also redefines the idea of being alone. Instead of being isolated, the music video shows each member dancing by themselves to represent the idea of exploring freedom, confidence and self-assurance.

The choreography for this comeback just hits the spot for me. Everything that the song exudes (those feel-good vibes I keep on mentioning, youthfulness, upbeat energy etc.) is embodied and showcased perfectly. The routine has some sharpness to it, which makes the routine so much more fun and exciting. I also liked the ending, where we see them dancing alone by pulling off different moves but together in close proximity. It is a good way to reflect the comeback’s message, even whilst on stage.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 9.5/10

Starship Entertainment has been teasing a new girl and boy group since the start of the year. While the boy group is currently being formed through a trainee survival show, the female group has avoided this debut pathway. KiiiKiii, the new female group has been dropping pre-debut singles (I DO ME and DEBUT SONG, both of which I have yet to review and will try to do so in the future) since the start of the year. But they officially made their debut this week with BTG.

BTG stands for ‘Been That Girl’. This debut song combines a dreamy atmospheric sound with heavy rap and hip-hop. BTG doesn’t stop there, with EDM also thrown into the mix. While it sounds like a fair bit is going on, I appreciate the minimalistic theme that serves as a constant in BTG. And it is because of this constant that I find these differing sounds to have unexpectedly melded together to create a decent debut track. We get JIYU, LEESOL and KYA delivering rap-heavy beginnings to the verses, paired with straight hip-hop trap beats in the background. This is followed by soft thumping beats and dreamy vocals from HAUM and SUI. This culminates into the chorus, which features a groovy EDM piece and the catchy and sassy ‘Been That Girl‘ line. However, as I have mentioned before, the minimalism does come with its flaws. As much as I liked how the track came together and gave us contrast in BTG, it has also created a generic vibe that pulls the song down. BTG lacks development, and this prevents excitement. As such, BTG is the type of song you hear once and don’t need to hear it again, as it is the same throughout.

Each time I watch the music video, I imagine it to be a reality show where someone brings young and edgy city girls to a farm to see how they adapt to the different lifestyle. What other context would you find a greenhouse turned into a club and shots that look like they shot a hip-hop video on a farm? Judging by those otherwise unexplainable moments, KiiiKiii has adapted well. But aside from trying to poke fun at the video, I am unsure what the concept is and how it relates to the song (if it even does).

I like how the members found a good balance between the hip-hop and dreamy motifs in the routine. It is two very different styles, but like the song, the choreography melded them together well. I did observe sharper moves in the mix to complement BTG‘s beat, and I liked how this looks on stage.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.5/10