A Memorable U.S. Debut: In KiiiKiii We Trust
Written by Daphne Bryant
All images courtesy of Head In The Clouds LA
K-pop sensation KiiiKiii made their U.S. debut this past Saturday at Head In The Clouds, a premier festival celebrating Pan-Asian music and culture! When it came time for their set I bustled over to the 88Rising stage, eager to see one of my ult groups perform live for the first time. Newly minted as global ambassadors of Coach, members Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum and Kya graced the stage in cohesive, custom designer looks that effortlessly recontextualized classic Americana. Talk about adorable!
First up on the setlist was“ DANCING ALONE”, a nostalgic 80s-inspired track that DWG lovingly deemed last year’s“ song of the summer”. The crowd was already dancing when KiiiKiii smoothly transitioned into“ Delulu”, the dreamy opening track from their EP Delulu Pack. Mesmerizing city street visuals accompanied the girls on screen as they what…? Worked for it, worked for it, WERKKKK!
Right after came one of my all-time favorite KiiiKiii routines.“ BTG” (short for Been That Girl) is a harmonious blend of powerful jersey beats and EDM magic. I was grooving right along with KiiiKiii, mimicking catchy choreography I’d practically memorized months prior.
When each member introduced themselves one-by-one, the crowd erupted into cheers. Kya, the youngest with a deep voice that resonated throughout the whole of the festival grounds, was especially endearing! It was like watching a younger sister live out her dreams! She bravely led KiiiKiii into a very underrated track coincidentally called“ UNDERDOGS”, and then the group slowed it down with“ Dizzy.”
This performance was a welcome surprise; while“ Dizzy” is a chill song compared to some of their more high-energy releases, it’s perfect for crowd work. Lyrics“ If you hear me, say“ Ooh” (Ooh) / If you see me, say“ Ah” (Ah) / If you’re here, then say “ Yup” (Yup) / Let me know who you are” naturally got the audience sing-shouting.
Then came one of the most anticipated songs of the day: a new track from their newly released EP WhyKiiiKiii. In true and eccentric KiiiKiii fashion, the song is entitled“ Candy Pink Magic Hole Flip Phone”, and even though the title itself might be a little silly, the song itself is fantastic, a masterpiece straight out of the late 2000s/early 2010s. Everyone watched in awe as the group debuted fresh, energetic choreography and flawless floor work worth the applause it garnered.
When it was finally time to rewind the clock for“ I DO ME”, their first song ever, something shifted. On stage, KiiiKiii was comfortable and confident, having performed the track so many times before. They were having unadulterated fun, hyping up the crowd, locking eyes with fans and goofing off with one another. The nostalgia was palpable, but the sheer growth on display was even louder than the music. At this point, KiiiKiii had completely shed any trace of rookie nervousness, operating on pure superstar instinct.
Of course, KiiiKiii ended with their most popular song, a track that takes elements from UK House and Garage and topped major domestic and global music charts:“ 404 (New Era)”. The beat dropped, and everyone lost their shit. KiiiKiii delivered an exciting performance that cemented this LA debut as a legendary HITC moment. The finale was an absolute triumph, leaving screaming fans in its wake. I didn’t want it to end!
“The girls delivered an exciting performance that cemented this LA debut as a legendary HITC moment. The finale was an absolute triumph, leaving screaming fans in its wake. I didn’t want it to end!”
Ultimately, that day at HITC proved something we here at Dreamworldgirl Zine have known since their initial debut—KiiiKiii is a group full of potential. KiiiKiii is a group worth rooting for. In KiiiKiii we trust.
