KiiiKiii's "404 (New Era)" Conquered Every Major Korean Chart in Three Weeks

Less than a year after their debut, KiiiKiii have done what most K-pop groups spend entire careers chasing. Their second EP Delulu Pack and its lead single "404 (New Era)" didn't just chart well. They topped virtually every major streaming platform in South Korea within three weeks of release, a feat that puts the Starship Entertainment quintet in rare company among fourth-generation girl groups.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Released on January 26, "404 (New Era)" climbed to No. 1 on Melon's TOP100 chart by February 10, just 16 days after drop. The track held that position for 12 consecutive days, fending off competition from established chart fixtures and viral sleeper hits that had been dominating Korean streaming for months.

But Melon was only part of the picture. "404 (New Era)" simultaneously topped YouTube Music's daily and weekly charts, Apple Music's popularity chart, the Spotify Korea daily chart, and both daily and weekly charts on Bugs. That's first place across every major domestic streaming service in a single comeback cycle. KiiiKiii also claimed Melon's Weekly Popularity Award for the first week of February.

Three Trophies in Two Weeks

The streaming dominance translated directly into music show wins. KiiiKiii picked up their first-ever trophy on MBC every1 and MBC M's Show! Champion, followed by a win on MBC's Show! Music Core, their first on a major terrestrial broadcast network. The third came on Mnet's M! Countdown, where "404 (New Era)" topped the show with 6,450 points, edging out ATEEZ's "Adrenaline." Three music show wins in two weeks for a group that debuted less than 12 months ago.

Built on UK Garage and TikTok Momentum

"404 (New Era)" draws on pulsing UK house and garage production courtesy of British duo Ldn Noise, layered with powerful rap verses and airy vocals. The track takes the familiar internet error code "404 Not Found" and reframes it as a metaphor for freedom beyond boundaries. Rapper Omega Sapien of alternative K-pop collective Balming Tiger contributed lyrics, bringing his signature witty wordplay to the track.

A pre-release TikTok challenge that teased choreography and song snippets helped the track gain algorithm-driven momentum before launch. By the time Delulu Pack officially dropped, "404 (New Era)" already had a built-in audience waiting to stream.

From Uncut Gem to Global Recognition

KiiiKiii's five members (Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya) debuted on March 24, 2025 with their first EP Uncut Gem and lead single "I Do Me," which earned early recognition for its melodic pop sensibility. The debut project surpassed 30 million Spotify streams and reached No. 1 in South Korea.

The jump from Uncut Gem to Delulu Pack marks a deliberate pivot toward harder-edged club sounds while maintaining the group's Y2K visual identity. It's a creative gamble that paid off in streaming numbers and critical reception alike.

Internationally, "404 (New Era)" entered the iTunes K-pop Top Songs chart in 14 countries and regions, while Delulu Pack landed on iTunes K-pop Top Albums in 13 markets. British music magazine NME included KiiiKiii in its "2026 Essential Emerging Artists 100," praising their ability to "evoke nostalgia worldwide with music infused with Gen Z sensibilities." American publication Stardust had already named them a "Rookie to Watch in 2026."

What's Next

KiiiKiii are set to appear on JTBC's Knowing Brothers alongside SM Entertainment's Hearts2Hearts for a "Girl Group Battle" segment airing in March. If "404 (New Era)" is any indication, the group's trajectory is pointed firmly upward. The question isn't whether KiiiKiii will become a major name in K-pop. It's how quickly they'll get there.