EXCLUSIVE: kiOra on ‘Coco,’ their unique blend of hyperpop, Japanese culture, and city pop

“‘Coco’ is a song that perfectly represents who kiOra is and the direction we want to take moving forward.”

This is how Japanese girl group kiOra described their debut single as they introduce their music, style, and identity to a wider audience.

Composed of Oto, Kyla, Ruka, and Yu, the emerging J-pop group hopes “Coco” gives listeners a glimpse of the sound they want to explore as they begin their journey.

“While the song is rooted in hyperpop, it unexpectedly shifts into a city pop section midway through, creating the feeling of stepping into an entirely different musical landscape. We love this kind of surprising transition, and we believe it will become one of kiOra’s signature characteristics going forward,” the group shared in an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN.

Rather than sticking to one familiar sound, kiOra wants the song to leave listeners curious about what they will do next.

“Rather than fitting neatly into an existing genre, the song features a structure that feels fresh and unfamiliar. We hope it leaves listeners wondering, ‘What will this group do next?’ and builds excitement for what’s to come.” 

The song also plays with both Japanese and English words, giving its lyrics another layer of meaning.

“One example is the phrase ‘in my core’, which connects with the Japanese words ‘ima koko’ (meaning ‘here and now’). Together, they convey the message that your true core exists here and now, within yourself. It’s a song that encourages us as well, as we take a new step onto the global stage and move forward with confidence,” they explained.

“Coco” was created with a team of producers and songwriters who have worked with major K-pop acts including EXO, BTS, Lisa of BLACKPINK, and SEVENTEEN, as well as international artists such as Dua Lipa and Charli XCX.

Working with such a diverse creative team also gave the members an opportunity to see how a song develops from an idea into a finished track.

“We were able to observe some of the songwriting sessions, and being able to witness the creative process up close as the songs took shape was a very memorable experience for us,” they said.

For Oto, hearing the early demo immediately sparked her excitement for the song: “When I first heard part of the demo, I was so excited to see what kind of song it would eventually become. As the track developed, I could already imagine performing it on stage, and I remember feeling incredibly excited about it.”

Kyla, meanwhile, immediately noticed the song’s Japanese elements, saying, “I felt like I could hear the sound of a koto right from the intro, which immediately gave it a distinctly Japanese feel. The song has a catchy melody and a rhythmic groove, but I was surprised when it suddenly shifted into a city pop section. At that moment, I thought, ‘So this is Tokyo Hyper City Pop’, and I was truly impressed.”

For Ruka, “Coco” was particularly memorable because it marked her first recording session as a member of kiOra. “I was a little nervous. However, when all of us recorded together in the same booth, I felt that we were able to express our natural chemistry and the atmosphere we share as a group through our voices.”

Yu, on the other hand, found herself drawn to the song’s choreography: “The choreography for ‘Coco’ was created by Tyrik J. Patterson. My favorite part is during the final chorus, where each member forms the letters C-O-C-O one by one. It’s a choreography element that is unique to “Coco,” and I love how catchy it is and how easy it is for everyone to copy and enjoy.”

Beyond the song itself, kiOra also incorporated elements of Japanese culture into the music video for “Coco.”

“In the music video for ‘Coco,‘ viewers will notice motifs that are instantly associated with Japan, such as tatami mats, public bathhouses, and sushi. However, by slightly exaggerating these familiar elements and combining them with unexpected visuals, we were able to create a uniquely kiOra world that feels different from the Japan we see in our everyday live,” they explained.

For kiOra, it is not simply about reproducing traditional Japanese culture but finding ways to reinterpret it through their own artistic identity.

“Rather than simply recreating traditional Japanese culture as it is, we believe in respectfully reinterpreting and evolving it in our own way. That sense of honoring tradition while freely updating it is something that connects both kiOra’s music and visual identity.”