Plus Magazine

The multinational girl group KISS OF LIFE, consisting of four members - Julie, Natty, Belle, and Haneul, released their highly anticipated first EP [KISS OF LIFE] on July 5th. Their debut album features a hip, free-spirited title track ‘Shhh,’ and the dramatically unfolding ‘Goodbye, Neverland,’ both of which fully showcase the unique charm of KISS OF LIFE. The album also expresses the diversity of sound and storytelling through solo songs of each member that capture their individual personalities. The girls of KISS OF LIFE, who express their wish to gift dreams to many through their songs, have boldly taken their first steps and we were there to witness it.

Hello. Could you give a bold first greeting to K-pop fans who are meeting KISS OF LIFE for the first time?

Hello, we are KISS OF LIFE. Having just debuted with our first mini album [KISS OF LIFE], we are beyond excited to finally introduce ourselves to you!

Your long-awaited debut album [KISS OF LIFE] has been released. How do you feel about that?
 

First of all, we're thrilled that our first mini album is finally out, and we're very happy to be able to share the songs we've worked hard on with everyone. Each of our solo songs is also included, so please listen to them a lot!

What does your group name, KISS OF LIFE, mean?

The term ‘KISS OF LIFE’ is originally associated with artificial respiration, symbolizing a breath of life. Hence, our group name represents our ambition to breathe new life into the K-pop scene with our music!

Could you introduce the killing part and point choreography of your title song ‘Shhh’?

We think our dance break is both the killing part and the point choreography. We've embodied our team's sense of freedom in the drill dance, a style that's currently trendy overseas.

What song or part in your album do you think best represents each member?

Julie: I think the part “My expression, my tone are all haute couture, who's that girl, huh?” in the title song ‘Shhh’ best represents me. It's the section I like the most in terms of rap flow and its meaning is also the motto I pursue.

Natty: It would definitely be my solo song, ‘Sugarcoat (NATTY Solo)’. If you look at the lyrics, music video, and dance of the song, you can clearly see what kind of message Natty as an artist, and Natty as a person, wants to convey.

Belle: It's from my solo song, ‘Countdown (BELLE Solo),’ “Don't stop, just keep moving like that / (Moving like that) If you fall, then I just do it again (Do it again)”. It's my favorite line in the song, and I included it in the lyrics because I believe that we should love ourselves, including our flaws, without giving up.

Haneul: The part “The dust-covered night in the closet / I don't want to hide or conceal anymore, Don't wanna stay more” from the track ‘Goodbye, Neverland’ has the fairy-tale-like feeling that I like and represents the story of growth well. I think it's the part that best represents me!

The composition of individual solo songs and music videos released before the album showcased a lot of creativity. Could you share some insights into the planning process? Also, could you introduce each of your solo songs?

We decided to include solo songs from the debut album because we think that our members have outstanding personalities and skills in each position!
 

Natty's solo song ‘Sugarcoat (NATTY Solo)’ is an R&B genre track. This song carries the message of boldly casting off the persona built in the eyes and judgement of others, stepping out of the future preordained by someone else, and actively carving out my own path to discover my true self.

Belle's solo song, ‘Countdown (BELLE Solo),’ radiates a powerful yet warm energy. It signifies the countdown to a new start, leaving behind the difficult past. It's a song that captivates your ears with my clear and more vivid voice and the rich emotions felt from the lyrical melody.
 

Julie's solo song is ‘Kitty Cat (JULIE Solo)’. As the title of the song suggests, it expresses my personality through the duality of a cat, which is cute, dangerous, and sensitive. While listening to the song, I hope you experience my unique low voice and the unique flow of rap as if they are unfolding before your eyes.
 

Haneul's solo song is ‘Play Love Games (HANEUL Solo)’. It's a dance pop genre song with a precise composition and catchy sound. You will be able to fully feel my cheerful and lovely charm. It's a fun song where you can't predict where the various expressions and voices will lead.

The dramatic composition of your song ‘Bye, Neverland’ is impressive. What does Neverland mean?
 

This song ambiguously expresses both a welcoming and farewell 'Annyeong' to our personal Neverland. It's a song that shows the process of becoming a strong adult, recalling something precious that was momentarily forgotten in regret.

The album contains diverse styles of songs, such as pop-rock ‘Countdown (BELLE Solo)’ and hip-hop song ‘Kitty Cat (JULIE Solo)’. What genres would you like to try in the future?

 

Actually, the genres that each member excels at are so distinct that we think the genres we will try as a team in the future are very diverse. However, we especially think that the genre where our synergy really shines when we're all together is definitely hip-hop/R&B. We can bring the same energy as TLC and Destiny’s Child. We are all in agreement that in the future, we would like to delve into the pop genre, particularly emphasizing harmony, akin to groups like Little Mix and Fifth Harmony.

Natty, your street dance and fashion stand out in your solo song ‘Sugarcoat (NATTY Solo)’. Do you always pursue such a free dance style?

Yes! In fact, I personally created the choreography for this solo song. I tried to incorporate free and groovy moves into the R&B genre songs I usually enjoy listening to, and you can also see Y2K fashion that goes well with the song and dance in the music video. I hope many people listen and enjoy it.

What do you think are the charms or advantages of a girl group with multinational members?

Given that our group is composed of members who speak various languages, we believe we have the potential to become a global team. We are excited about the prospect of communicating with fans from all over the world in the future.

he storytelling throughout your album is unique. Were there parts where you came up with ideas yourself? If so, what were those parts?

Although the individual music videos don't directly narrate our personal stories, they were crafted to reflect elements of our genuine personalities. For instance, in the ‘Shhh’ music video, we captured scenes where the four of us are comfortable and freely having fun.

In a word, what would you say is the music that KISS OF LIFE pursues?
 

Our pursuit is to embody ‘Dreams’. We've crafted our music while cherishing our own dreams and hope that it could inspire dreams in many others.

Who are the role models or musicians that have influenced each member?
 

Julie: I really love R&B and hip hop, so I've listened to a lot of foreign rappers' music. I've been influenced by so many artists that I don't have a specific role model, but I really like and respect Rihanna and Aaliyah.

Natty: I've been training since I was 12 years old, and the first artist I truly fell for was Tinashe. I watched her stage videos and found her dance, songs, and fashion so cool and sexy that I naturally took her as my role model from a young age. Since then, I think I've naturally been influenced a lot by her because I've sought out and listened to her a lot.

Belle: I've listened to a lot of Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Sabrina Carpenter's music since I was young, and I've always dreamed of becoming an artist who can honestly tell her story in her songs someday. I also admire their fashion, image, and attitude, not just their music.

Haneul: The artists who influence me vary, depending on my environment and my current needs. I've been heavily influenced by Lee Su-hyun from AKMU and Olivia Rodrigo from abroad.

What do you think are each other's attractive points?
 

Julie's charming point lies in her luxurious aura and her unexpected smile, whereas Natty's charming point is her dreamy atmosphere. As for Belle, we find her bubbly charm and princess-like visuals captivating. Haneul, being the youngest, captivates us with her cute, dual-sided model-like face which we believe to be her charming point.

What is the goal that KISS OF LIFE definitely wants to achieve this year, in 2023?
 

We really want to win the rookie award, which you can only receive once!

Could you share your bold aspirations with the fans you're soon going to meet?
 

As KISS OF LIFE, we have so much more to share with you. We'll continue working hard, so we kindly ask for your attention and love in the future!