KISS OF LIFE is making waves once again! With the release of their third mini album on 15 October, the powerhouse girl group is back to showcase their growth, creativity, and bold attitude. Coming off the heels of their viral hit “Sticky” and a show-stopping collaboration with GOT7’s Mark Tuan for the VALORANT Champions 2024 anthem, the group is proving they’re here to stay. As they gear up for their first North American tour, KISS OF LIFE continues to capture hearts worldwide with a dynamic blend of music, style, and personality.
Debuting in July last year, KISS OF LIFE burst onto the scene, topping charts and earning the title of “monster rookies.” Their debut album wasn’t just a collection of songs—it introduced four distinct solo tracks from each member, showcasing their individual artistry. The group quickly gained momentum with their infectious confidence and diverse talents, with Natty’s “Sugarcoat” and the album’s title track “Shhh” cementing their place as rising stars.
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Their second release, “Born to be XX”, marked a new milestone, recording tenfold growth in initial sales compared to their debut and clinching Top 10 spots on iTunes charts across countries like Thailand, Russia, Singapore, and Australia. Their appeal knows no borders, with a strong presence on Spotify’s Viral 50 charts and Apple Music’s top ranks in multiple regions.
Ahead of their new album release, we caught up with the group to discuss what fans can expect from this comeback and how their journey has evolved since their debut.
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Congratulations on your third mini album! Tell us what themes or emotions you explored this time around.
BELLE: The song is about those moments when we completely lose ourselves in something we love and dream about. Some people might think we're weird or different, but the message is that being unique is okay. Embrace your creativity and keep doing what you're passionate about.
How does this new album reflect your growth as a group since your debut last July?
JULIE: This album, like all the music we've released, means a lot to us and especially highlights our growth. With each comeback, we aim to explore new musical genres, and because we received so much love and support for our summer single “Sticky”, we put in extra effort to return with even better quality music.
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In what ways is this different from your debut album?
NATTY: Although this album doesn't include any solo tracks, each of us contributed a lot of ideas to the concept and performance—from the title track to the B-sides. Plus, Belle even took part in the songwriting!
“Sticky” was a massive hit. What do you think resonated the most with fans that made it go viral?
HANEUL: It was the perfect song for a summer comeback, capturing not just a bright and refreshing vibe but also showcasing the unique colour of KISS OF LIFE. I think that’s what many people loved about it! Plus, the performance matched the song so well it probably made it even more popular.
How did you approach balancing an energetic vibe with meaningful lyrics in a track like “Sticky”?
JULIE: Our goal was to send a message of 'be confident and have fun!' We also wanted everyone who listens to the song to instantly feel uplifted and get into the perfect summer mood!
How did it feel performing at the VALORANT Finals in Seoul? Was gaming culture something you had an interest in before?
NATTY: I'm not great at gaming, but I do enjoy it! It was such an honour to take on the main stage for VALORANT this time, and I still remember the incredible energy I felt while performing!
What did this collaboration teach you about working in different creative spaces, like gaming and esports?
JULIE: It was truly an honour to be a part of it all. It was our first time participating in music for games so we learned and grew so much from the whole experience! It taught us about the whole culture behind gaming and esports and we were so excited to be a part of it.
You’ve just announced your North American tour! What are you most excited about as you prepare to meet international fans?
BELLE: We’re just so excited to feel the energy of the crowd. It’s our first time performing in the U.S., and we have a strong feeling that it’s going to fit us so well.
What differences do you notice between performing for fans in South Korea versus fans overseas?
JULIE: The love we feel from all our fans is the same, but I’d say the vibe differs a bit in each country! Overseas fans bring incredible energy with their dancing, cheering, and singing along in such a passionate way.
Your debut topped the Thailand iTunes charts and did incredibly well globally—how do you stay connected with your international fanbase?
NATTY: The response in Thailand was amazing! We hope to share our music with fans all around the world and bring more people into the KISSY family!
You’ve been called “monster rookies” for your impressive debut. How do you feel about that title?
HANUEL: First of all, I feel incredibly grateful to have been given such a title. It's more than we feel we deserve, but with every comeback, we’ve worked even harder to live up to it.
KISS OF LIFE’s performances are known for their bold and liberating energy. Where do you draw inspiration for such powerful stages?
NATTY: I think it's because we genuinely enjoy being on stage that we’re able to share that energy with the audience. Also, we make an effort to watch performances by various pop artists and understand different cultures, which helps us naturally and confidently express a variety of moods.
What’s been the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of balancing your individual personalities within the group’s cohesive identity?
HANEUL: Personally, I have a bright and clear vocal tone, and one of the most fulfilling moments for me was seeing how my voice complemented the richer tones of the other members, helping to create a smooth and balanced harmony.
What new genres or musical styles are you hoping to explore in the future?
JULIE: We always try to explore new music and we continue to do so in the future as well! I think we just want to try out everything, test out limits and find out what fits us!
Looking ahead, where do you envision KISS OF LIFE in the next few years?
JULIE: I'm sure we will accomplish many more things! There are still so many things we want to do and hopefully, within the next few years, we will be able to fulfil some of them! I hope we continue to come out with more great songs and awesome performances and that everyone enjoys what we do!