K-Pop Rising Stars KiiiKiii Earns NME Recognition and Clinches 7 Rookie Awards

The 'Gen Z-Me' group KiiiKiii (Jiyu, Isoll, Sui, Haeum, Kiiya) is solidifying its global influence, capturing significant attention in the K-pop scene.

Recently, the prestigious British music magazine NME included KiiiKiii's track 'DANCING ALONE' in their 'The 25 best K-pop songs of 2025' list, a testament to their growing international musical prowess.

'DANCING ALONE,' the title track from KiiiKiii's first digital single released in August, masterfully blends city pop and retro synth-pop melodies. The song evokes a nostalgic feel, resonating deeply with listeners, while its humorous and candid lyrics further underscore KiiiKiii's unique charm.

NME praised the song, stating, "If you could bottle bittersweet nostalgia, it would be KiiiKiii’s 'DANCING ALONE.' Inspired by the 80s, its shimmering hook and unadulterated synth sounds break boundaries, reframing solitude as a shared experience. The killer touch is its playful, feel-good choreography, perfectly capturing that 'shy but lovable' vibe ideal for solo bedroom mirror dances." This highlights KiiiKiii's characteristic free-spirited and witty team color.

Following their debut song 'I DO ME,' which delivered a message of self-affirmation, KiiiKiii expanded their perspective from 'I' to 'we' with 'DANCING ALONE,' painting a picture of brilliant friendship. The song peaked at number 3 on Melon's Hot 100 chart (based on 30 days after release) and charted on iTunes Top Song charts in six countries/regions including Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, France, and Japan. It also entered the iTunes Top K-Pop Song charts in six countries/regions like Japan, the UK, and Brazil, showcasing their global popularity. The music video, with its artistic visuals and nostalgic storyline, evoked cherished memories of friendship, earning a spot on YouTube's Trending Music Videos chart.

This momentum has continued on both domestic and international stages. KiiiKiii's performances of 'DANCING ALONE' have captivated global fandoms with their deepened emotional expression and diverse choreography, firmly establishing their stage presence based on solid skills and unique 'Gen Z-Me' appeal.

The group participated in the 'Kansai Collection 2025 A/W' at Kyocera Dome Osaka in August and was the sole K-pop girl group at the 'Music Expo Live 2025' in Tokyo Dome in November. They have also graced popular Japanese music shows and major local newspapers, further proving their international reach.

KiiiKiii's global success is evident in various metrics. American magazine 'Stardust' selected KiiiKiii as one of its '10 New Artists to Watch in 2026,' noting their ability to "navigate different eras and concepts, consistently creating music worth following." Google's year-end 'Year in Search' project highlighted KiiiKiii as one of the top 6 K-pop debuts globally in 2025, generating significant buzz.

With their expanding global influence, KiiiKiii recently won the 'AAA Rookie of the Year' and 'AAA Best Performance' awards at the '10th Anniversary AAA 2025,' bringing their rookie award total to seven this year.

KiiiKiii is set to perform at the '2025 Music Bank Global Festival IN JAPAN' on the 14th at the Tokyo National Stadium.

Korean netizens are buzzing with excitement, commenting things like 'KiiiKiii already mentioned by NME, amazing!', 'Honestly, 'DANCING ALONE' is a masterpiece,' and '7 rookie awards, this year belongs to KiiiKiii!'