KISS OF LIFE Is Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for December: Exclusive Photos

KISS OF LIFE, true to their name, are breathing new life into the K-pop scene.

Debuting with their first mini-album KISS OF LIFE on July 5, 2023, the group has steadily gained both recognition and sales in the Korean market. Their first single album “Midas Touch” earned them their debut on the Billboard Global 200 chart, peaking at No. 165 and remaining on the chart for two weeks. In a K-pop industry increasingly dominated by major corporations, KISS OF LIFE has been dubbed the “miracle of mid-sized companies.”

For the group’s growth, Belle shared, “We used to only dream about moments like these, and now we made our dream come true. Winning our first music show trophy with ‘Sticky,’ a song we particularly love, made us feel like our hard work and confidence in our music had finally paid off.”

The group’s uniqueness is evident in both the concept and tracks of their mini-album KISS OF LIFE. They chose to present their album in a “magazine” format, showcasing their visuals in a distinct way. Moreover, from the very beginning, all members included solo tracks on the album, with Natty’s “Sugarcoat” achieving even greater success than the title track “Shhh,” solidifying KISS OF LIFE’s name in the public’s mind.

One of the group’s defining traits is their nostalgia. Tracks like “Bad News” left a strong impression with its incorporation of 1990s and 2000s hip-hop elements, including iconic phrases like “ain’t no diggity” and “from the east side to the west side.” Their latest single “Get Loud” evokes the Neptunes-era sounds of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. However, the group’s music isn’t confined to these influences. Their summer anthem “Sticky” brought them their biggest success yet, while “Igloo,” with its minimalist production and powerful choreography, marked their re-entry on the Billboard 200 chart. These diverse approaches continue to raise anticipation for what lies ahead.

By seamlessly blending American hip-hop/R&B elements with K-pop, KISS OF LIFE has emerged as a rookie group worth watching. Stepping outside the conventional paths to success, they’ve proven that K-pop can still offer fresh sounds and styles. Just over a year after their debut, they completed a successful North American tour and are now preparing for a European tour — a remarkable feat for such a young group.

Below, find Billboard Korea’s Q&A with the rising group.

It seems like KISS OF LIFE has had a really busy year!

Belle: It’s been an incredibly busy year. Thanks to all the love we’ve received, we were able to have multiple comebacks, hold our first concert, and even complete our first tour in such a short time. It really feels like a year of tremendous growth — both as a group and as individual artists exploring our own paths.

Haneul: I thought last year was hectic, but this year really felt like we poured all our youth into it. [Laughs]

As mentioned, you achieved a lot this year, including another Billboard Global 200 entry, your first world tour and first music show win. What has been the most memorable moment for you?

Belle: Winning our first music show trophy is something I’ll never forget. It was a dream we always talked about, and achieving it with “Sticky,” a song we love so much, made us feel like all our hard work and confidence in our music finally paid off.

Haneul: It’s amazing that the song kept charting even after our next album came out!

Julie: Every moment we achieve something, it feels unforgettable and precious, but for now, I’d say our U.S. tour stands out the most. We gained so much experience and grew a lot, and I already miss those memories!

Natty: I was so happy to see so many overseas fans knowing and singing along to our songs!

Many artists say that after their first world tour, their perspective broadens and they begin to see things they hadn’t noticed before. What has changed for KISS OF LIFE after their KISS ROAD tour?

Julie: It’s hard to pick just one thing, but I’d say our attitude toward the stage. I’ve started to think more deeply about the mind-set I bring to every performance.

Belle: I realized I don’t need to be nervous onstage. People enjoy seeing me have fun and relax while performing, and I loved the connection we shared with the audience — it’s the joy of music at its best!

Upward trajectory is often seen as the most beautiful graph. The response to KISS OF LIFE has been just that, with sales and reactions steadily increasing from mini-album 1 to mini-album 3.

Belle: We’ve kept moving forward with nonstop comebacks and activities, but I think the key has been focusing on what makes us unique and keeping our fans engaged. Above all, I believe our genuine love for music has resonated with people.

While “Get Loud” from “Lose Yourself” didn’t receive the response you had hoped for, “Igloo” was met with a hot response, particularly for its performance. Who came up with the concept of the sunglasses performance?

Belle: It was the idea of our performance director, who’s been with us since debut. They understand us so well and always come up with unique performances that highlight each of our individual charms. The moment we all put on sunglasses felt like a Super Bowl performance and was both cool and playful.

Haneul: The company was concerned about covering our faces, but we all agreed to go ahead with it and in the end, it worked out perfectly.

Natty: At first, we were all a bit worried! It was our first time covering our faces during a performance, so there were some concerns, but we trusted the vision, and the response was amazing! Fans even bring sunglasses to our concerts now!

“Igloo” presented a different vibe compared to previous KISS OF LIFE music and performances.

Haneul: I expected it to be cool, but I didn’t expect such a hot response. [Laughs]

Julie: This was a style I always wanted to try, and personally I felt most confident in it, so I believed people would recognize it, and I’m so happy that we received so much love!

Belle: We had a feeling that the “Igloo” choreography would be well-received when we first started practicing it. The song, with its trap hip-hop base and refined yet playful choreography, felt like it would stand out in a new way.

KISS OF LIFE who had previously shown a ‘summer’ vibe presented a new side with ‘Igloo’. What other new things can we expect?

Belle: We will continue to evolve and reveal even more new sides of ourselves. While the future is uncertain, we will definitely bring fresh music and performances that will entertain both the eyes and ears of our fans!

Each member is involved in songwriting and composing. How do you want to express yourself through KISS OF LIFE’s music?

Belle: I believe only those who fully understand the music they make can produce a certain vibe. We always want to show our fans authentic and sincere music.

Haneul: Music feels like a diary to me, capturing my emotions and experiences. When I’m sad, I listen to music and cry. When I travel, I listen to music and feel even more excited — music becomes a way of saving those personal experiences.

Natty: I feel particularly confident in R&B, and I’d love to explore a variety of styles when I have more time!

You always present a “magazine” concept for your albums and even do magazine shoots. How are the two different?

Belle: In our album photo shoots, we focus on bringing out KISS OF LIFE’s identity, but in actual magazine shoots, the focus is more on showing a new side of me. Both are enjoyable!

Julie: I think magazine concept photo shoots feel less pressured than our album ones. Since the photos are for our KISS OF LIFE albums, we feel more encouraged to push our boundaries!

Natti: They’re quite similar! I really enjoy photo shoots, so I have a great time during both album and magazine shoots!

Finally, what can we expect from KISS OF LIFE in 2025?

Belle: It will be a leap forward. I believe we will achieve even more growth and take a big step forward!

Haneul: Beyond our planned European tour, we’ll have more opportunities to meet overseas KISSY, and Korean KISSY will also get to see a lot of new sides of us.

Julie: We’re going to achieve amazing things! We’re planning to fill 2025 with even better music and incredible stages!

Natty: We’re going to make it big!