"Dancing Alone" is the Song of the Summer
Written by Daphne Bryant
I’m proud to say that I’ve been a KiiiKiii supporter from the very beginning. Whereas some listeners were initially thrown off by their quirky aesthetic and unconventional music choices, I quickly found refuge in the youthful and carefree artistry KiiiKiii is known for. When the whimsical girl group debuted I believed they had the potential to bring a refreshing sort of vitality to the K-pop industry, and I can now confidently say they are doing just that.
Earlier today (my time) KiiiKiii dropped their first digital single“ DANCING ALONE”, which I’d been following the creative rollout for. A lot of artists do creative rollouts: strategic, phased approaches for their new music, with the goal of building anticipation and excitement over time, but no one does it quite like KiiiKiii. When the group archived all of their previous Instagram posts and began teasing new music on top of fake DVDs and colorful coolers, I knew something good was coming but I didn’t realize just how good.
Out of all their drops,“ DANCING ALONE” is probably the most nostalgic one yet. It has 80s drums and retro pop synths and an accompanying music video that flawlessly captures the beauty of summertime and female friendship. The lyrics emphasize that dancing alone doesn’t mean you’re actually alone, just that you have the boldness to freely be yourself, and that you can often gain this courage by leaning on your friends who will always be there for you no matter what. The visuals pair perfectly with the song: swimming in crystal blue lakes, driving down country roads, playing in sprinklers, bowling in outfits with funky patterns, goofing off during summer school sessions, cherry slushes, popsicles and lots of happy dancing alone. Hell, I think KiiiKiii hit every cinematic stereotype in one go.
The best part is that it doesn’t feel cheesy or corny at all. I was especially blown away by their leader Jiyu’s acting. Near the end of the music video she runs into fellow member Haum’s arms: they’re both in their uniforms and Jiyu has presumably had a bad day at school. The two of them just hold each other as Jiyu cries, but I don’t get a sad feeling from it. If anything, it reminds me of just how much I adore my friends, and it reminds me of how grateful I am for their companionship. In this scene Jiyu and Haum are each other’s safe places; they’re not dancing (or facing anything) alone because they have each other. It’s such a special and sweet sentiment, one that has made“ DANCING ALONE” the song of the summer for me. Judging by the fact that the MV has already amassed 1.1M+ views, I know I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Technically,“ DANCING ALONE” is a two-part release, joined by the timeless track“ Strawberry Cheesegame” which many feel are reminiscent of Red Velvet, a 3rd Generation girl-group that had similar concept duality.“ Strawberry Cheesegame” as a song boasts a unique, jazzy, almost R&B feel that drives home the nostalgia and takes me back to the“ good old days” of K-pop (or at least the days when I discovered it).
Hats off to everyone involved: of course, KiiiKiii, but also their writers, choreographers, stylists, location scouts, producers, and especially Haewon Jeong, the group’s primary creative director. Thanks to her, KiiiKiii consistently puts out some of the strongest rookie concepts I’ve seen in a long time. It’s incredible how well the group blends decades and emotions; they do so in a way that feels expert and yet, still original. I think anyone would agree that there is something very distinctive about their sound, look and vibe, something that screams freedom and authenticity. KiiiKiii is the kind of K-pop group you’d want to“ kiki” with!
“KiiiKiii is the kind of K-pop group you’d want to ‘kiki’ with!”
Fans of KiiiKiii’s initial debut are probably devouring this new release more than anyone else, and I don’t blame them for it. While“ DANCING ALONE” (and“ Strawberry Cheesegame” for that matter) addresses more complex feelings and thoughts, I think it also pays homage to KiiiKiii’s simple“ I DO ME” roots. The stunning nature shots, heartfelt vocals and limitless frolicking that initially drew me in are super present in“ DANCING ALONE”, and this sort of pocket, this unapologetic girlhood, really works for them. This isn’t to say that KiiiKiii isn’t incredibly versatile or talented in other genres, because we know they can serve everything from Jersey club beats (“ BTG”) to heavy, mechanical vocals (“ GROUNDWORK.”) I just think their sweet spot lies in their sincerity, and it’s their curated imperfections that make the group so intriguing and lovable.
