KISS OF LIFE is here to breathe new life into K-pop, and maybe that’s why fans, as well as intrigued onlookers, cannot get enough of them. The group, made up of  – leader Julia, Belle, Natty, and Hanuel – wants to prove that big risk pays off with their self-titled EP.
 

These fresh-faced twenty-somethings may be new as a group but they have a wealth of experience. American-born Julie is a former trainee of the Black Label. Thai member Natty competed on shows like 'Idol School' and 'Sixteen'. Belle, also American-born, already composed songs for LE SSERAFIM, (G)-IDLE's Miyeon, Purple Kiss, and sang backing vocals on NCT star Mark’s song ‘Child’. She is also the daughter of legendary singer Shim Sin. Whereas Korean native, Haneul, trained to be an idol for a little over a year.

On July 5 2023 the quartet officially debuted under the label S2 Entertainment with the music video for their lead single ‘Shhh’. The release followed their highly anticipated rollout of the members’ solo songs ‘Sugarcoat’ by Natty, ‘Countdown’ by Belle, ‘Kitty Cat’ by Julie, and ‘Play Love Games’ by Haneul. ‘Shhh’ also continued the coming-of-age storyline from the group’s B-side song ‘Bye My Neverland’. Kiss of Life’s Universe depicts a multicultural society that deals with the issues of homelessness, the disconnect between parents and children, and the ladies fighting back against attempted sexual harassment. Issues that rarely get tackled in K-pop, let alone by a freshly debuted girl group.

Having sat across a virtual room from the girl group, it’s easy to understand why fans absolutely adore them. They exude the same charm, tenancy, and drive displaced in their music videos. Rolling Stone Korea spoke with KISS OF LIFE over Zoom about their debut album, expressing adult issues in a healthy way and which celebrities should do their TikTok challenges.

Congratulations on your debut album. Can you tell me about the message behind the album? 

Julie: I think this was just an introduction to KISS OF LIFE. We wanted to just show our personal colours. It was just like a slight introduction to KISS OF LIFE.

What does KISS OF LIFE mean?

Julie: KISS OF LIFE means CPR. So, we want to be a new breath of fresh air to K-pop. We want to let people breathe with their music and our personalities. That's what KISS OF LIFE means

Each of you has a solo music video builds into the plot of the title track. Can you tell us the storyline of each of your MVS?

Julie: For my solo song "Kitty Cat", I look like I might be having the time of my life but  I'm actually struggling to find my dream, and I'm craving for something else which is music. I think this is the same for all four of the girls. We're in different worlds, different places with different struggles and situations, but we're all craving the same dream. And we come together, and we try to achieve that journey together. That's the ultimate storyline behind the solo songs.

I have a particular question regarding your solo music video because it's one of the most mature MVs I've seen for K-pop, especially for a girl group. You're displaying things that I would see on a coming-of-age Netflix show. What made you and the company decide on this risk?

Julie: Yes, it was a big challenge. And I, as well as the company, were really worried about the reactions because it is a big risk. But we thought that it was a risk to be taken by me because I felt that I'm at the age to be able to express that in a healthy way. In general, I feel like we wanted to also show that KISS OF LIFE is different. We have real stories, real things to say. We felt like that part of the visual side was also necessary to express.

Natty, you've been in the public eye since you were 13 years old. What have you learned from being on shows such as ‘Sixteen’ and ‘Idol School’?

Natty: All of the shows helped me become the person I am today. I learned so much from the experience, and that's a big reason why I am where I am right now.

Belle, you have some writing credits on some amazing songs. What is your favourite song that you’ve written, and who would you love to write for in the future?

Belle: I would say our group first but my favourite song that I wrote is "Unforgiven" by LE SSERAFIM.

Why is that? 

Belle: Actually, because that was the most famous song that I've written [the whole group laughs].

Julie: That song really blew up.

Hanuel, you are the mak-nae of the group, what have you learned from the older members?

Hanuel: Because the unnies [Korean term of respect for older woman] have a little more experience in the K-pop industry, as well as performing and doing music, I’ve learned a lot of details from the unnies. Like stage presence, all the details in songs, and facial expressions. This kind of stuff I’m learning to become the ace.

PHOTO CREDIT - S2 Entertainment

I want to talk specifically about the title track ‘Shhh’. How long did it take you to master the choreography? 

Julie: About three to four months. We actually didn't have that much time to master the choreography. But during that short time, we practiced like crazy.

I think international fans would like to have a little more insight into the training process. Can you take us into a day in the life of being a trainee especially once you know that this is the final member line-up? 

Julie: A day in the life of a trainee - basically, we just wake up, and right until we go to sleep we're together 24/7.

Belle: Yeah (laughing)

Julie: I think it's so that we get to know each other more, as well as the fact we have so many things to practice. We have to master the choreography together; we have to sing the song over and over again. Basically, we eat together, we practice together, we take lessons together, and we dance together. We do everything together.

What kind of lessons are those?

Julie: We do everything. We have dance lessons, rap lessons, and vocal lessons.

Belle: Also, live performance lessons.

Who inspired you guys growing up?

Julie: Growing up, we got a lot of inspiration from a lot of pop artists. We love Hip Hop and R&B. We also listened to a lot of pop artists' music since we were young. We definitely listen to K-pop as well, but I feel like we're so passionate about Hip Hop and R&B.

Can you give me examples of the Hip Hop and R&B artists?

Julie: Well, for me, I listened to a lot of old-school Hip hop, so I listened to 2Pac, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent.

Natty: I listen to a lot of R&B female solo artists. I love Tinashe, Aaliyah, Kehlani, and Doja Cat.

Belle: I usually listen to a lot of pop artists. For example, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter. The list goes on.

Hanuel: I like Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, and Taylor Swift.

Belle: She usually listens to a lot of pop songs too.

I believe that Lee Hae In was announced as your creative director. How involved has she been in the leading up to her debut, and what is your relationship like with her?

Julie: She takes a really big role in this group. She's a creative director for KISS OF LIFE. She actually created the big outline of the stories for our solo songs, as well as the visual side - what the characters would look like, how we would look on stage and everything. So, she takes a big role in this whole process. As for her relationship with us - she actually was a trainee before becoming a creative director. She trained with Natty before. So, because she was a trainee, she understood us so well. She gives us a lot of support, and we're so grateful to be able to work with her.

I have a bit of a fun question for you guys. I would love to know which three artists would you love to do the TikTok challenge for your songs and they don't have to be K-pop artists. 

Kiss of Life: OH MY GOD 

Belle: I would definitely say Sabrina Carpenter. I love her stage presence and everything. Her look and her style. Her image. I love her. 

Julie: I would have to say Doja Cat is definitely because my song is "Kitty Cat". I loved her since I was so young, and when I was a trainee. I used to listen to all of her songs. She's a big inspiration of mine so it'd be crazy if I could do a challenge with her.

Natty: Tinashe!

Hanuel: Olivia Rodrigo

Have any veterans given you any advice so far? At the music shows has anyone pulled you aside and said, “Hey, this is how you navigate the industry.”

Julie: A lot of people gave us advice, but I don't think anyone specifically.

What's been the best advice that you've been given?

Julie: I think for now the best advice is just to focus!

KISS OF LIFE: FOCUS!

Julie: Focus on yourself, focus on the performance because it's so hectic, and it's a crazy schedule, it's hard to get in the zone. But I think we're doing good.

PHOTO CREDIT - S2 Entertainment

Is there anything that you would like to tell your fans before we wrap up? 

Julie: First of all, we would like to thank everyone for all the love and support. It's only been a couple of days and since we debuted, it hasn't even been that long, but we already feel so much of the love and support. And it's really crazy just because we weren't really expecting this much support. It really means a lot to us. We have a lot more in store for everyone. So, I hope everyone is in tune for what we have to offer, and we just want to say thank you so much.