KiiiKiii's 404 (New Era) tops Billboard staff K-pop list

Billboard listed KiiiKiii's '404(New Era)' at No. 1 in 'The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2026(So Far): Staff Picks,' which it released on its official website on the 15th, local time. The ranking comes as KiiiKiii is preparing for a comeback in mid-August.

'404(New Era)' is the title track from KiiiKiii's mini album No. 2, 'Delulu Pack,' released in January. The song is built on UK house and garage sounds, with the members' vocals and rap parts layered over the track.

The lyrics reinterpret the system error code '404 Not Found' as 'freedom that exists without coordinates.' Billboard said, '404 is the internet's most common error code, but KiiiKiii gives it a new meaning and turns it around entirely. Through the track, the members declare that the reason they cannot be found in the system is that they have already moved into a new era.'

Billboard also said the song reached No. 1 because KiiiKiii does more than imagine a new era, using different elements in the lyrics to bring listeners into it. It added that while many artists speak of a new era's arrival, KiiiKiii declares that it will lead that era.

KiiiKiii formally debuted in March last year with 'I DO ME,' presenting a free and self-directed message. The group earned its first terrestrial music-show No. 1 on MBC's 'Show! Music Core' 13 days after debut, and later released the digital single 'DANCING ALONE' in August last year.

At year-end award ceremonies, KiiiKiii received 13 trophies in its debut year, including a 'Music Video of the Year' award. Outlets including U.S. Stardust magazine, Britain's NME and DAZED also covered the group.

With '404(New Era),' KiiiKiii reached No. 1 on Melon TOP100 for the first time since debut and topped Circle Chart's monthly Digital Chart and Streaming Chart. 'Delulu Pack' entered the iTunes K-pop Top Albums chart in 19 countries and regions, stayed on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. for 8 consecutive weeks, entered Billboard Global 200 for the first time since the group's debut, and appeared on Billboard Japan, Oricon and China's QQ Music charts.

KiiiKiii's detailed comeback schedule will be released later through its official social media accounts. The group is also meeting fans every Wednesday at 7 p.m. through season 2 of its self-produced content series.

The reason this song takes No. 1 is that KiiiKiii does not stop at imagining a new era, but uses different elements in the lyrics to draw listeners fully into that era.