_{By Mike Romero}

Dive headfirst into “Sophia,” the dazzling new single and award-nominated film from Detroit’s own XCVIII (pronounced “98”). Crafted by musician and filmmaker Kevin Joseph, this project is nothing short of a sensory feast, merging high-cinema aesthetics with a pulsating pop music flair.

“Sophia” effortlessly fuses influences like Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, and The 1975. The song’s lyrical journey explores a nihilistic quest for love, destiny, and enlightenment. But it’s the powerful visual storytelling that elevates “Sophia” into an immersive experience, making it not just a song but a memorable, captivating event.

Kevin Joseph lends his velvety vocals to the song, with Lisa Sung on jazz piano. This track is a city pop treasure that’s both nostalgically smooth and refreshingly original.

Don’t miss out—follow XCVIII on Instagram and watch the full film below.

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Credits:
Assistant Director: Ryan Yoonwon Lee
Director of Photography (Crazy Charlie’s): Reid Petro
Gaffer (Crazy Charlie’s): Chad Miller
Director of Photography (Detroit): Ashley Hyun
Production Team: Victorino Gomez, Sean Kim, Hayoung David Oh, Damon Mason II
Sound Engineer: Aepmah (AFM Laboratory)
Project Management: Jennifer, Antonio Rescigno, Lorenzo Russo

// Dream Sequence //
Visual Direction: Yoonjo Hwang
Assistant Director: Siwook Yang
Director of Photography: Minseok Kang
Production Team: Inha Kang, Hyunsu Park, Taehyun Jeon
Additional VFX: Jonathan Seungjoon Lee
Project Management: Minwoo Kim