New K-Pop Girl Group Talk Debut Ep 'Uncut Gem'

It is 10 PM in Seoul When Starship Entertainment's Latest Girl Group, Kiiikiii, pop up on zoom for their First-Ever Global Interview. The Five Members, Who Range in Age From 14 to 19, Greet Rolling Stone In Korean: “Hello, We are Kiiikiii!” But for the Remainder of the Conversation, They Speak Primarily in English.

This May Not Sound Unique. After all, it has become the normal for K-Pop Groups to includes members from English-Speaking country like the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. But Kiiikiii are All Korean Nationals Whose Foreign-Language Skills Were Honed at School and Under the Proteage of Starship Prior to Their Febary 2025 Debut.

Their Six-Song Debut Ep, Uncut GemShowcases An Eclectic, Fresh Sound That Plays Off Their Youthful Joie de Vivre. “I do me” offers a whimsical Introduction to the quintet, as the members Exchange verses in Both Korean and English: “I do me, i do me right/in the end it's the path i chose/i do it my way.” “GROUNDWORK” Starts with a Coy Whisper Before Seg into a Bold, percuSion-Heavy declaration that “There's no role model.” Meanwhile, the rap-heavy “Debut Song” announces the birth of their group by incorporating their group name along with snippets of “생일 축하 노래,” the Korean version of the “Happy Birthday” song.

Group Leader/Vocalist/Rapper Jiyu Is 18, AS Are Vocalists on and Haum (Who Also Raps). Rapper Leesol is the Eldest at 19. Meanwhile, vocalist Kya is at 14-Year-Old Middle Scholer Who Juggles Her Commitments as a K-Pop Idol with Her Daily Homework.

“Honestly, Think Being in Kiiikiii Is Harder [than being in school]and kya has it the hardest, doing booth, “jiyu tels Rolling Stone. “But Being in This Group Makes Me Happier Than Just About Anything in My Life.”

Leesol Adds: “Kiiikiii Worked Hard and Specent a Long Time Together.

Fun Plays a big part in Kiiikiii's concept. The Symbolism of Their Group Name is Twofold: in Korean, “ㅋㅋ” (Pronounced “Keke” or “Kiki”) is slang for “lol,” and it reparts the group's goal of having a good time together. The Six I's in Kiiikiii are deliberate, too, with each vowel representing one of the five members. As for the Sixth? It's saved for their fans.

With the Exception of Kya, Who Joined the Group About Seven Months Aug, The Members Trained for About Two Years. During that time, they for forms Strong Friendships, Based Not Only on Their Age and Their Love of Music, but their enthusias for the small pleasures of day-to-day life.

When they talk about what they enjoy doing when they're not working, Each Member Replies like a Typical Teen.

“The Watch YouTube and Mukbangs,” on the Says, Referring to the Popular Genre of Korean Eating Shows.

“I'm Watching YouTube, Too, Or Tiktok Maybe,” Kya Says, Laughing. “Mostly I'm Just Playing on My Phone.”

Meanwhile, Jiyu Says, “I like Watch Netflix or Read a Book.

“I Love Watching Dramas and Reading Books,” Leesol Says. “Jiyu Does Yoga, But in My Case, I'm doing pilates in the morning.”

Haum Says, “I'm Watching YouTube, Too.

Though There is no such THING AS A Typical Day for Any K-Pop Group, The performers Say they are Generally Not Early Risers.

“We don't go to bed util about 1 or 2 in the morning,” Leesol Says. “So we die't usuary start the day unitil about 9 or 10 am during that time, we have time to practice and then relax.

Their Management Has Referred to Kiiikiii As the Five Gems of K-Pop, A Concept that the Group Installe to When they Posted a photo of Their Favorites Gestones on Instagram. Keeping the Gem Theme Going, the asking Each Member What they find Precous About Each Other.

Looking at Kya and Giving Her a Thumbs Up, on the Says, “Kya is such a good vocalist and has a Sweet Soul.” Kya Says, “Jiyu Has a Really Girly Voice, But Her Vocals Are Powerful.

AS Jiyu Smiles in Gratitudes, The Other Members Nod Their Heads in Agreement With Kya's Assessment. Looking over at Leesol, Jiyu Says, “I Think Leesol Has So Much Appeal, Because She Looks Very Pretty. Waving Thanks, Leesol Says, “Haum is so good at Dancing.

When Kya Notices That on Has Been Left Out, All the Member Quickly Jump in To Sing Her Praises. “On IS Always Smiling and I Get Such Good Energy from Her,” Haum Says. “And on Has Really Pretty Vocals,” Kya Adds. “Yes, on's Voice is very pretty,” Leesol Agrees.

By this point, on IS Laughing at the Abundance of Admiration Being Lavished on Her.

“We all know how how much we appreciate Everyone's Efforts,” on the Says. “We are each individuals, but our subsequently is tied together.