Performance has always been Kep1er’s strongest suit, and they lean into it heavily in their latest MV for “Killa”: the choreography is sharp, the formations are dynamic, and the inclusion of a dance break at the end adds to the overall impact. Yet, despite an attempt at narrative, what lingers most is the performance itself, which becomes a double-edged sword. Kep1er’s very strength in performance becomes the MV’s limit, making it feel closer to a performance video than a fully realised MV.
With the full title of “Killa (Face the Other Me)”, there is plenty of room for visual storytelling to showcase the idea of facing yourself. While “Face the Other Me” suggests ideas of duality and self-confrontation, the MV never fully commits to exploring this. There are only glimpses, leaving it feeling restrained and underdeveloped.
“Face the Other Me” is most clearly expressed through the use of mirrors. Dayeon’s opening and closing scenes, where she faces herself in the mirror, Yujin, Xiaoting, and Chaehyun in a room made of mirrors, all hint at self-reflection and finding their true selves, tying in with its lyrics:
”The lyrics talk about the existence of another self hidden in everyone’s heart, and about the moment of facing the hidden nature as one awakens internally, breaks the limits that had oppressed them, and awakens as a true killer. Kep1er plans to shed the long-oppressed self, break limits, and take precise aim at the anxious inner self through ‘KILLA’”.
Beyond mirrors, shadows are also used to create contrast and add depth to scenes, but these cuts are fleeting. Additionally, in their reaction video, Kep1er explain that the cube that appears throughout the MV represents the anxiety and uncomfortable emotions or aspects of oneself. As the cube eventually becomes increasingly broken, paired with the closing scene where Dayeon places her hand on a cracked mirror and the crack disappears, it vaguely hints at Kep1er confronting their other self.
Unfortunately, this feels incomplete, with the symbolism feeling rushed rather than earned. In that sense, “Face the Other Me” could have been fleshed out way more. It feels like just as we’re almost heading somewhere, it abruptly ends.
The storytelling never fully commits to exploring this “other me”, leaving the concept feeling like an afterthought. Instead, the MV leans into Kep1er’s strength in performance. The interesting transitions, coupled with the dance formations and charismatic choreography, do take the stage here. From Yujin and Xiaoting’s brief dance duet to Hikaru taking centre in the chorus and the dance break, these are the moments that define “Killa”.
“Killa” is what some will consider “Aespa coded”. It kind of fits within the current K-pop trend. But at the same time, “Killa” struggles to stand out in an already saturated soundscape. With an MV that isn’t exactly appealing, “Killa” lacks that much-needed spice and defining edge.
The idea of confronting one’s inner self through “Face the Other Me” had the potential to add greater meaning and depth. Yet this remains greatly unexplored, whether through their choreography or visually.
While “Killa” is not bad sonically, at times, it is exactly this inability to flesh out certain ideas that holds groups back. In turn, “Killa” becomes a rather surface-level experience–polished in performance but lacking the depth its bold and intense concept promises.
(Youtube [1]. Chosun Biz. Images via WakeOne/Klap.)
