[Dispatch=Reporter Kim Ji-ho] LE SSERAFIM grows stronger when faced with adversity. ILLIT possesses cute and unpredictable charm. KATSEYE conquered North America with uninhibited charisma.
These three girl groups with distinct personalities came together as one. LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE released the digital single "ICONIC BY MISTAKE" and its music video on the 12th.
The result is successful. And for good reason—not a single team's color was lost. LE SSERAFIM's darkness, ILLIT's wit, and KATSEYE's boldness harmonized without discord. The explosive synergy drives infinite replay.
The message of confronting hatred also resonates with the narrative of the three teams, which had notably faced heavy criticism. The story of girls who overcome hatred was delivered powerfully and addictively.
Below is the birth process of "ICONIC BY MISTAKE."
First, how the three teams came together. According to HYBE, the members had frequently communicated through challenge shoots and other activities. Thanks to the K-pop market where so-called "challenge exchanges" have become common practice, close communication was possible. Through this process, talk of "wanting to stand on stage together someday" emerged.
Last summer, three independent labels under HYBE launched the project. Staff from Belif Lab (ILLIT), Source Music (LE SSERAFIM), and Geffen Records (KATSEYE) began project preparations. The KATSEYE team handled song selection, the ILLIT team handled choreography, and the LE SSERAFIM team handled visuals.
The song for 14 icons to perform is "ICONIC BY MISTAKE." An experimental piece in the alternative pop genre, it features unconventional sound and a powerful beat. It humorously captures the modern social phenomenon where controversy becomes iconicity.
The lyrics directed at haters are refreshing. A prime example is the part from KATSEYE's Danielle. "I'm just tryna stay me/ Dance a little crazy," she delivers with ease.
The music video also focused on revealing the three teams' distinctive aura. LE SSERAFIM shows no fear even in a dark cemetery. They kiss cold statues and lie in graves while shooting defiant eyes.
ILLIT fully showcased their ethereal yet eerie "ILLIT core." Dressed in kitschy looks reminiscent of "Alice in Wonderland," they pull out gold teeth. Those teeth are later utilized in KATSEYE's flashy Y2K styling as tooth gems.
The music video's story portrays the three teams' approach to dealing with "gazes." Police watch and observe the girls. The three teams are aware of external gazes but do not shrink back. Instead, they use others' gazes to make themselves stand out.
At the climax, a catastrophic situation unfolds where everything burns. Yet the three teams maintain a playful and nonchalant attitude. Amid raging flames and burning debris, they leisurely chat and roast marshmallows.
The group choreography performed in sequence by the three teams is also overwhelming. In three verse sections, each team's color shined clearly. Subsequently, in the chorus sections, the three teams' performances merged into one choreography, creating unity.
A joint rehearsal with all 14 members also took place. The timing was chosen when KATSEYE, a group based overseas, visited Korea. Each team thoroughly rehearsed beforehand, and the three teams aligned their movements when they gathered.
LE SSERAFIM's surging energy, ILLIT's unpredictability, and KATSEYE's bold attempts aligned perfectly. Connected through the trendy concept of "Queens" confronting hatred. HYBE's perfect combination formula is complete.
<Photo source=HYBE>
