They have a self-proclaimed ‘popular song’.The title itself is unusual: ‘A Rose Blooming Between Buildings.’

The four-member girl group H1- KEY said that they often think about 2023, when they finally made it to the flower of pop songs despite the suffocatingly fierce competition.Between the expectation and confidence that “this will work out.” These are the feelings that came to mind when they first received and listened to the sheet music for their new song “It Was Summer” released on the 26th.What is the standard for pop songs to them?

“It was a song that I could easily listen to wherever I went.The comeback also happened to be in the summer….”

Could there be a more direct appeal? The past tense seasonal song, “It was summer,” is the result of the extraordinary lyricism that Hiki has maintained since the so-called “rose syndrome.” If you look at the lyrics alone, they are no different from a poem.Hiki also expressed this as the group’s “identity.”

It cannot be denied that it is a prelude to the summer event represented by ‘Water Bomb’, but the moment when you hum a melody that is easy to catch your breath and ‘suddenly’ savor the lyrics.If we put these words together, the “true target” can be summarized as follows.This approach is also a clear ‘exclamation mark’ that distinguishes Highkey from other idol groups as ‘a rose blooming between buildings ‘.

“There’s a saying that brings back memories.When I look back, I think our songs are like that.Maybe that’s why? Our new song isn’t ‘It’s Summer ‘but’ It Was Summer ‘(laughs).”

In fact, it is true that 4 years is’ only’ a short period of time, but since the flow of K -pop is ‘light speed’ to add a bit of exaggeration, it seems that they also feel some burden that they have to become more dignified, half voluntarily and half involuntarily.

As those who have experienced the ‘taste of popular music’, the pressure to want to and have to overcome it is real, but these four members have done well as the ‘sisterhood’ formed under the name of Highkey, and I firmly believe that they will do well.

“One day, we came back to our dorm together after work, and you know what? We had a designated seat at the ‘4-person table’.Almost every family is like that.That’s when I realized, ‘Ah, we’ve become a real ‘family.’”


Sitting at the same table like that, what kind of conversations do Haiki have besides work-related topics? The youngest member of the team, Yell, is an avid fan of the professional baseball team NC Dinos.The three older sisters, Seo-i, Riina, and Lee-seo, said proudly, “After hearing baseball stories all the time, we’ve come to know quite a bit now.”

Hiki’s 4th mini album ‘LOVESTRUCK’, which contains the song ‘It Was Summer’, will be released through various popular music platforms at 6 PM on the 26th.


Reporter Heo Min- mignon@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.