In an industry defined by fierce competition and fleeting trends, the rise of a new artist to the top of the charts is a monumental event. Just one year after their explosive debut, Starship Entertainment’s five-member girl group KiiiKiii is not just participating in the conversation—they are rewriting the rulebook for rookie success. Their latest title track, “404 (New Era),” has achieved a stunning takeover of South Korea’s major music charts, cementing the group’s status as a formidable force in the 4th generation of K-Pop and proving they are anything but a one-hit wonder.

From “UNCUT GEM” to Chart Domination

KiiiKiii—comprised of members Jiyu, Haum, Leesol, Sui, and Kya—first crashed into the scene on February 24, 2025, with their debut EP “UNCUT GEM” and its title track “IDOME.” The debut was an immediate success, earning them a win on a major terrestrial music broadcast and securing the No. 1 spot in brand reputation for new idol groups for four consecutive months. Their talent was recognized on a global scale, with features in prominent international media outlets like Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, NME, and Dazed, culminating in an impressive seven Rookie of the Year awards in 2025, including a notable win at the Asian Artist Awards in December.

Fast forward to their first anniversary, and the group has unleashed their second mini-album, “Delulu Pack,” on January 26, 2026. The album, and particularly its title track “404 (New Era),” has propelled them to new, unprecedented heights. The song skyrocketed to the top of Melon’s TOP100 chart just 16 days after its release—a remarkable achievement for any group, let alone one just celebrating its first year.

The “404 (New Era)” Phenomenon: A Digital Anthem for a New Generation

The title “404 (New Era)” is a clever play on the well-known internet error code “404 Not Found.” However, KiiiKiii reinterprets this concept not as a message of deficiency, but as a bold declaration of freedom. The song champions the idea of living by one’s own will, unconstrained by the standards and coordinates set by others. As the group puts it, the “404” symbolizes “freedom that exists without coordinates.” This empowering message is wrapped in a 90s-influenced house beat and a 2000s-inspired visual aesthetic, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

The music video reinforces this theme powerfully, following the members as they question who they want to be and whether the paths laid out for them are truly right—until they ultimately find the courage to forge their own way. The high-energy track has been praised for its infectious choreography and its bold, retro-futuristic visual identity, which has resonated deeply with Gen Z audiences worldwide.

Chart Records That Speak for Themselves

The numbers behind “404 (New Era)” are nothing short of staggering. According to the Korea Music Contents Association, the song has earned a “double crown” on the Circle Chart (formerly Gaon Chart) for two consecutive weeks, topping both the overall digital chart and the streaming chart with a Circle Index of 17,499,742 in the eighth week of 2026. It has also dominated Soompi’s K-Pop Music Chart for three consecutive weeks, holding the No. 1 position unchallenged.

Its dominance extends across virtually every major platform in Korea: No. 1 on Melon’s HOT100, No. 1 on YouTube’s Trending Music, No. 2 on the Bugs real-time chart, and a top-10 entry on Spotify South Korea. The track has also translated its digital success into broadcast wins, securing three music show trophies. Perhaps most impressively, “404 (New Era)” has become a viral sensation on social media, spawning a massive dance challenge craze that has further amplified its reach and cultural impact.

“Delulu Pack”: An EP of Surprising Depth and Artistic Range

While “404 (New Era)” is the undeniable breakout star, the entire “Delulu Pack” EP showcases KiiiKiii’s impressive versatility and artistic ambition. The six-track album explores the blurry line between delusion and reality, a concept reflected in its diverse sonic palette. “Mungnyang” is a playful hip-hop track that cleverly uses Korean onomatopoeia for cat and dog sounds, while “UNDERDOGS” delivers a powerful anthem of resilience and self-belief with the rallying cry, “Watch me when you fight, fight, fight / I’ll see you highlight, the light, the light.”

A standout B-side, “To Me From Me,” is a poignant retro-pop ballad produced by the legendary Tablo of Epik High. Inspired by his own daughter, the song serves as a heartfelt letter to oneself about overcoming worries and taking small steps forward. “Dizzy” rounds out the tracklist with a dreamy, hip-hop-infused exploration of questioning reality, complete with the bubbly refrain “Oops, excuse me, I’m so dizzy.” Together, these tracks paint a portrait of a group that refuses to be defined by a single sound.

A New Era for K-Pop’s Next Generation

KiiiKiii’s journey over the past twelve months is a testament to their immense talent, strategic branding, and the powerful connection they have forged with their rapidly growing fanbase. Topping major domestic charts—a feat that often takes established groups years to achieve—has been accomplished by KiiiKiii before they even blew out the candles on their first anniversary cake. They have not only captured the domestic market but have also built a significant global following, earning recognition from international media and charting in multiple countries.

As the K-Pop landscape in 2026 is dominated by headlines about the returns of titans like BTS and BLACKPINK, KiiiKiii’s meteoric rise serves as a thrilling reminder that the genre’s future is just as exciting as its present. They are not just a group to watch—they are the architects of their own “New Era,” proving that for them, no path is “not found.” They are creating their own.