Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage, and substance.
This year, we had the pleasure to introduce several new artists, providing a platform for them to showcase their music, define their style, and tell their story.
One of my personal highlights of the year was working with the up-and-coming artist, Iggie Zhang (Iggie), as she released her debut single, ‘Buzzin (feat. DENISE)’. The track was a strikingly confident electronic pop piece, with both artists giving their all, rounded out with a standout chorus that stuck in your head from the first listen.
In our previous interview, Iggie described her experiences as she graduated from Berklee College of Music, speaking on the impact of collaboration, the influence of friendship, and her hopes for the future. The sentiment was echoed by DENISE, who shared further insights into the behind the scenes processes involved in songwriting.
When I saw that Iggie was releasing her second single ‘IKYKI (with Mila)’, I knew that I had to reach out. True to form, this song is fresh, exciting, and showcases Iggie’s expert production skills. However, whilst this new song features Iggie’s distinct style, the track itself takes an entirely different direction from her debut track.
Iggie’s latest track is another collaboration, this time with the artist Mila!
I asked Mila for a few words to define herself and her artistry.
Mila: I’m a Colombian singer-songwriter and dancer, currently studying music business and music production. I’m in the process of working on my debut EP, which I’m hoping to release in October next year. My work is deeply influenced by emotional storytelling and personal experience, but as a dancer, I’m also drawn to creating music that people can truly vibe to – music that feels good in the body as much as it resonates emotionally.
‘IKYKI’ brings together both artists to create something powerful that transcends language with an instantly relatable message. Read more about the track itself below, with insights from both Iggie and Mila!
The Track:
Iggie: ‘IKYKI ‘ s a bilingual Mandarin–English diss track by Iggie and Mila, written in response to a real-life moment involving an ex that quickly turned into a “warning song.”
Rather than approaching the track with anger or direct confrontation, ‘IKYKI’ leans into confidence, clarity, and self-awareness — reframing the diss from a girl-to-girl perspective rather than a place of bitterness.
The title itself reflects the core message: “I know you know it” — a quiet acknowledgment that the truth is already obvious, and that we’ve moved on stronger.
Lyrics & Wordplay
Iggie: Lyrically, ‘IKYKI ‘blends Mandarin and English to create layered wordplay, double meanings, and subtle disses.
The bilingual structure allows the message to land through implication rather than explanation, rewarding listeners who catch the subtext and cultural references.
The track balances sharp humor with restraint, letting confidence speak louder than confrontation.
Artistic Milestone & Production
This release marks Iggie’s first time fully committing to rap across an entire track, showcasing a new side of her artistry compared to her debut track. In addition to the vocals, ‘IKYKI ‘serves as a clear statement of her production ability and musical direction, combining hard-hitting beats, clean transitions, and melodic elements that reflect her evolving sound.
The song was written and produced with intention to highlight both lyrical control and sonic identity.
Collaboration Insight
Iggie: The collaboration came together naturally through conversation. After sharing a personal experience over FaceTime, the story resonated beyond the moment itself — especially from a female perspective.
Instead of turning it into a traditional diss, we chose to transform it into a warning that many listeners could relate to.
The dynamic between us allowed the song to feel instinctive, conversational, and honest.
Mila: The music video process was a really meaningful and exciting experience for both of us, and it was my first time working with Iggie. From concept to execution, it felt very collaborative and intentional. We wanted the visuals to feel intimate and reflective of the song’s emotional core, so we focused on simplicity, atmosphere, and storytelling rather than over-production.
It was especially exciting to be part of the styling process, as well as coming up with pieces that highlighted who we are as artists, while also fitting the mood and tone of the video. Being able to trust the creative process and let the visuals evolve naturally was a big part of what made the experience so rewarding.
What Comes Next?
Iggie: ‘IKYKI ‘ marks the beginning of a new creative chapter. Moving forward, I’m continuing to explore a more rap-forward, confident sound with additional releases and visuals already in progress.
This track sets the tone for what’s next — stronger storytelling, sharper lyricism, and bolder production choices.
Music Video
Thank you so much to Iggie and Mila for sharing their insights into their new track, the creative process and the meanings behind the lyrics. We look forward to the next steps in Iggie’s journey, and for the release of Mila’s debut EP next year!
Thanks again to our readers for a wonderful 2025. 2026 will bring with it some very exciting new releases for the site, and we can’t wait to share them with you!
To follow both artists and stream their new release, please check out the links below:
Iggie: https://www.instagram.com/realiggie/
Mila: https://www.instagram.com/okimilaa/
IKYKI MV: https://youtu.be/LM8sTtsUBY8?si=yG0ZDYAGzju4MHtd
IKYKI Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6xxfPNLllP4lfrzZbZX0fJ
IKYKI Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/nl/album/ikyki-single/1853091520
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