[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] “If someone tells us to lip-sync, I actually don’t like it. We may be idols, but at the end of the day, we’re singers.”
The words of the girl group iii (I-I-I) exuded confidence in their stage presence. Whether it’s a dazzling AI music video or a striking “secret agent” concept, it ultimately comes down to the five members convincing the audience by singing and dancing live on stage. Returning after a one-year hiatus, iii unveiled a completely different image from their debut with their new song “WaiT,” released on the 28th of last month, yet they still cited “live performances” as their unwavering strength.

◇Shedding the Dreamy Image to Become “Secret Agents”
In a recent interview with E-Daily, leader Subin emphasized, “We always perform live on every stage,” adding, “Both vocals and performance are our strengths.” Eun-gi also stated, “Our team’s charm lies in the composure and confidence that make us seem anything but rookies,” and added, “Even though we’re idols, we want to show you that we’re true singers.”
Consequently, they put a great deal of effort into mastering both live vocals and choreography for this promotion. “Wait” is a hip-hop dance track featuring powerful choreography set to a strong bass and drum beat. There were days when they practiced for over 10 hours just to deliver stable live vocals even amid intense movements. Their resolve is to ultimately win over audiences with their skill on stage, rather than relying on flashy concepts.
The transformation is also dramatic. While their debut single “RE:AL iii” emphasized a dreamy atmosphere, this time they’ve adopted a much more intense image featuring gun-themed choreography, action sequences, and a secret agent concept.
Subin said, “While we showed a dreamy side at our debut, this time we wanted to show a cool and powerful side.” Taeri added, “The image changed suddenly, so I was worried at first, but as we practiced with the members, we gradually made it our own.”

In the music video, the five members were modeled using AI. While preserving the members’ actual expressions and features, the video showcased cinematic action sequences—such as parkour and gunfights—that would be difficult to pull off in real life. Nam King laughed, saying, “It looked so much like us, right down to our expressions and everyday mannerisms, that it felt like someone had secretly filmed us.” Subin also said, “It was fun, like watching a movie, because it depicted action sequences we couldn’t actually perform ourselves.”
Each member’s character is distinct. Namking is the Driver, Hana is the Specialist, Eun-gi is the Scout who engages in physical combat, Subin is the Leader—just as she is in real life—and Taeri is the Sniper who takes charge in critical moments. The fact that each member’s actual personality and image were naturally incorporated into their characters added to the viewing enjoyment.

◇“A Team Not Confined to a Single Image”
iii’s self-identity is, in fact, closer to being “undefined.” Eun-gi said, “Our strength is that we haven’t been defined by a single concept yet,” adding, “We want to become a team that can pull off any concept well.” Taeri also referenced the meaning behind the group’s name, “Inspiration,” saying, “I hope we become a team that isn’t confined to a single thing and that inspires both ourselves and others.”

The members’ role models also reflect this aspiration. Namking and Subin cited BLACKPINK’s Lisa, a powerhouse performer, while Hana named TWICE’s Nayeon. Eun-gi mentioned IU and Suzy, who excel in singing, acting, and songwriting, while Taeri cited BLACKPINK’s Jennie as her role model, saying, “She’s like a genre unto herself.” They share a common desire to become artists who can take on various stages with their own unique style rather than staying confined to a single genre.
Ultimately, the stage the five members aspire to is a solo concert. Namking said, “I’d love for us to hold a concert on our own, and for fans to come all the way to Korea to watch our performance and enjoy Korean culture.” Eun-gi went a step further, stating, “I want to become a K-pop headliner,” and added, “I hope people will immediately think, ‘That’s the group iii’ when they hear the name.”