Who is KiiiKiii? Meet the girl group facing backlash from NewJeans aka NJZ fans before their debut
KiiiKiii launched their social media accounts and unexpectedly dropped their first music video for the pre-release single, 'I Do Me'. The surprise release！before their company had even introduced the members！is a rarity in the K-pop industry and quickly gained traction, surpassing a million views.
KiiiKiii is a five-member pre-debut South Korean girl group under STARSHIP Entertainment！home to groups like IVE, Monsta X, and WJSN. The group consists of Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya, and they are set to debut on March 24, 2025, with their first EP, UNCUT GEM.
KiiiKiii ?? 'I DO ME' MV
！ KiiiKiii (@We_KiiiKiii) February 16, 2025
? https://t.co/gUPM0JvJ5M
'I DO ME' Track Release
? 2025.02.24 MON 6PM (KST)
The 1st EP [UNCUT GEM] Album Release
? 2025.03.24 MON #KiiiKiii #?? pic.twitter.com/99fm8bPfsC
As the group launched their social media accounts, they unexpectedly dropped their first music video for the pre-release single, I Do Me. The surprise release！before their company had even introduced the members！is a rarity in the K-pop industry and quickly gained traction, surpassing a million views.
NewJeans fans unhappy
However, KiiiKiii soon found themselves at the center of controversy, as some NewJeans (NJZ) fans began harassing them online, accusing them of copying NewJeans' style. This backlash follows a pattern, with similar criticism previously directed at ILLIT and Hearts2Hearts.
kiiikiii already getting dragged by that fandom´ lord help them
！ nini ? (@tokddaz) February 17, 2025
As discussions about KiiiKiii heat up, let¨s take a closer look at the members.
Jiyu
Birth Name: Seo Ji-yu
Birthday: 2006
KiiiKiii The 1st EP [UNCUT GEM]
！ KiiiKiii (@We_KiiiKiii) February 17, 2025
Concept Photo #1 JIYU
? https://t.co/Unt439WPQ2
Title Track 'I DO ME' Release
? 2025.02.24 MON 6PM (KST)
Album Release
? 2025.03.24 MON #KiiiKiii #??#JIYU #??#I_DO_ME #UNCUT_GEM #KiiiKiii_I_DO_ME pic.twitter.com/PZXHJCBk0U
Not much is known about her except that she is Korean. She is likely to take on roles as the leader, vocalist, rapper, and dancer of the group. Her family consists of her and her parents.
Leesol
Birth Name: Lee Su-min
Birthday: September 18, 2005
KiiiKiii The 1st EP [UNCUT GEM]
！ KiiiKiii (@We_KiiiKiii) February 17, 2025
Concept Photo #1 LEESOL
? https://t.co/Unt439WPQ2
Title Track 'I DO ME' Release
? 2025.02.24 MON 6PM (KST)
Album Release
? 2025.03.24 MON #KiiiKiii #??#LEESOL #??#I_DO_ME #UNCUT_GEM #KiiiKiii_I_DO_ME pic.twitter.com/lOdpRZLrfJ
Born in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea, she comes from a small family consisting of her and her parents. She attended Jinmyeong Girls' High School. She began her training in 2022 and spent approximately three years as a trainee before debuting.
Sui
Birth Name: Lee Su-bin
Birthday: 2006
KiiiKiii The 1st EP [UNCUT GEM]
！ KiiiKiii (@We_KiiiKiii) February 17, 2025
Concept Photo #1 SUI
? https://t.co/Unt439WPQ2
Title Track 'I DO ME' Release
? 2025.02.24 MON 6PM (KST)
Album Release
? 2025.03.24 MON #KiiiKiii #??#SUI #??#I_DO_ME #UNCUT_GEM #KiiiKiii_I_DO_ME pic.twitter.com/LQk2ej2GuD
The Korean member comes from a small family consisting of her and her parents. While not much is known about her yet, she could most likely be the vocalist of the group.
Haum
Birth Name: Kwak Ha-um
Birthday: November 14, 2006
KiiiKiii The 1st EP [UNCUT GEM]
！ KiiiKiii (@We_KiiiKiii) February 17, 2025
Concept Photo #1 HAUM
? https://t.co/Unt439WPQ2
Title Track 'I DO ME' Release
? 2025.02.24 MON 6PM (KST)
Album Release
? 2025.03.24 MON #KiiiKiii #??#HAUM #??#I_DO_ME #UNCUT_GEM #KiiiKiii_I_DO_ME pic.twitter.com/pW06lPTpoE
The Korean member comes from a family of four, including her parents and her older sister. She attended Lila Art High School, where she studied in the Department of Acting.
Kya
Birth Name: Park Ji-woo
Birthday: December 18, 2010
KiiiKiii The 1st EP [UNCUT GEM]
！ KiiiKiii (@We_KiiiKiii) February 17, 2025
Concept Photo #1 KYA
? https://t.co/Unt439WPQ2
Title Track 'I DO ME' Release
? 2025.02.24 MON 6PM (KST)
Album Release
? 2025.03.24 MON #KiiiKiii #??#KYA #??#I_DO_ME #UNCUT_GEM #KiiiKiii_I_DO_ME pic.twitter.com/4VxZOhaeP1
The maknae of the group was born in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. She comes from a family of four, including her parents and her younger brother, who was born in 2013. She was previously a child model and a former trainee under Source Music. She also participated in a hands-on event at P NATION for about three months. Additionally, she used to run a YouTube channel called BeautyDuty TV.
For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
Read More