Latest news with #UncutGem
Korea Herald
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Kakao Entertainment launches Berriz, new global K-culture fan platform
Platform is designed to encourage deeper interaction among fans, extending beyond traditional artist-to-fan communication Kakao Entertainment officially launched its new global K-culture fan platform, Berriz, Tuesday, signaling its entry into the growing online fandom service market. Berriz aims to serve as an all-in-one platform for fans of Korean cultural content, encompassing a wide range of intellectual properties — from personalities such as singers and creators to original content including webtoons, dramas, films and musicals. 'Just like berries that come in various shapes and sizes but become sweeter when gathered, Berriz will be a playground where global fans of K-culture can come together to connect and enjoy,' the company said in a statement. Several creators and artists are already on the platform. Following singer Jung Seung-hwan of Antenna, Starship Entertainment's new girl group KiiiKiii launched its official fan community on Berriz upon its debut Monday with its first EP 'Uncut Gem.' The rookie girl group plans to engage with fans through interactive features such as live streaming, VOD content, and open discussion forums. Next month, 'Crushology 101,' an upcoming TV drama based on a Kakao Webtoon of the same name, will also launch its official fan community on the platform. Kakao Entertainment plans to use Berriz to consolidate the fandoms of its affiliated music label artists and content IPs. The company also aims to partner with others in the entertainment industry to position Berriz as a central hub for all K-culture fandoms, including music, webtoons and television. According to Kakao Entertainment, Berriz is built as a modular, fan-centric system that can be customized to fit each IP's unique characteristics and the needs of its fanbase. The platform will incorporate AI, e-commerce and live streaming to provide a broad range of tailored services for each community. Acknowledging the evolution of fandom culture — which increasingly includes fan-created content and peer-to-peer engagement — Berriz is designed to encourage deeper interaction among fans, extending beyond traditional artist-to-fan communication. By leveraging Kakao Entertainment's experience across its multiple platforms — including Kakao Page, Melon, and 1theK — the company aims to help shape the next generation of fandom culture.
Korea Herald
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
KiiiKiii enters K-pop with goal to be outlier
Five-memeber girl group sets sights on one of K-pop's most coveted rookie honors KiiiKiii, Starship Entertainment's first new girl group in four years since Ive, officially entered the K-pop scene Monday with the release of their debut EP, 'Uncut Gem,' aiming to break away from traditional idol molds. 'Rather than trying to fit into certain standards, we value showing our natural selves,' said member Haeum during the group's debut showcase held in Seoul. 'We believe our uniqueness is our greatest strength,' added Sui, while Jiyu shared that though the group stands out for their individuality, they "truly shine when we come together as one team.' The five-member group drew significant attention with the prerelease of their single 'I Do Me' on Feb. 24, which entered Melon's Hot 100 chart at No. 13 and peaked at No. 4 on the platform's Top 100. The track's music video also topped YouTube's trending video chart for two consecutive days following its release on Feb. 16. 'Time has flown since the release of 'I Do Me.' It's been a joyful and exciting experience to perform and show ourselves on music programs,' member Esol said. 'Thanks to the support we've received, we're growing little by little. We'll keep working hard to show even better performances.' 'Uncut Gem' includes six tracks: title song 'I Do Me,' 'Debut Song,' 'Groundwork,' 'There They Go,' 'BTG (Been That Girl),' and 'One Off.' The album blends various genres such as hip-hop, retro synth pop and EDM, with lyrics that reflect the group's identity and ambition. 'The title 'Uncut Gem' refers to an unpolished stone. It represents our raw, unfiltered identity as we set out into the world with our own set of questions,' Jiyu said. 'The title track amplifies our confident charm. It expresses a girl's determination to trust her own instincts and live confidently. The lyrics deliver a powerful message of youthful self-assurance,' Esol added. Having debuted as part of the latest wave of girl groups — often referred to as the fifth generation — KiiiKiii is naturally positioned alongside other rookies such as SM Entertainment's Hearts2Hearts, who debuted on Feb 24. While the comparison is inevitable, Esol expressed a sense of camaraderie rather than competition. 'Just being able to promote at the same time is an honor. Rather than seeing them as rivals, I think we'll inspire each other and grow together,' she said. KiiiKiii also said they received words of encouragement from their label-mate, Ive. Jiyu, who trained with members of Ive, said, 'I used to train with them, and I shared a vocal coach with Liz. She encouraged me and cheered me on, which meant a lot. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank her again.' Looking ahead, KiiiKiii has their eyes on one of the most coveted rookie honors in K-pop. 'At the end of the year, I'd love for us to win Rookie of the Year,' Jiyu said. 'You can only win it once, and it would mean the world to us.'
Korea Herald
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Rookie group KiiKii to drop predebut song
One of the most anticipated K-pop rookies of 2025, KiiKii, is set to digitally release its predebut track today. The rookie group will release "I Do Me," a track from its upcoming debut album "Uncut Gem," on various online music streaming platforms at 6 p.m. Consisting five members, KiiKii is Starship Entertainment's first new group in nearly four years since Ive. The song highlights KiiKii's bold and confident charm, expressing a young girl's determination to trust her instincts and live fearlessly. It is a pop-dance track that blends dreamy synthesizer sounds with disco-style drums and a rhythmic melody. The "I Do Me" music video, filmed in New Zealand, was released on Feb. 16. KiiKii's official debut is scheduled for March 24 with the release of its EP, "Uncut Gem."
