K-pop girl group Kiss of Life is back to ignite the summer with a more profound and sultry R&B vibe that signifies a new phase in their musical journey.
On Monday, the group held a media showcase at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul, to commemorate the launch of their fourth mini-album, “224.”
Building on the vibrant, alluring energy of their previous summer hits, “Sticky” and “Igloo,” the album “224” delves into themes of self-discovery and emotional freedom as it explores the passage of time — “today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Using their distinctive combination of boldness and sophistication, the group conveys a message of self-awareness to those who may have lost connection with their true selves.
Julie kicked off the event by sharing, “As we enter our third year since debut, and after eight months since our last release, we’ve poured our hearts into this album. We hope you’ll show it plenty of love.”
Having recently completed their first world tour from last October to May, the group feels they have significantly matured as performers.
Natty remarked, “We gained so much from our interactions with fans worldwide. We’ve returned with a greater sense of maturity, and we can’t wait for you all to experience it.”
This album also represents Kiss of Life’s first release without creative director Lee Hae-in, who had guided their concept since their debut. Rather than taking a backseat, the members played a more active role in the creative process.
“We’ve always been part of our albums, but this time we were even more involved in communication and decision-making,” Julie explained.
The title track “Lips Hips Kiss” incorporates elements of early 2000s R&B and hip-hop, creating a sensual atmosphere that reflects the thrill of mutual attraction. With smooth vocals and a balance of feminine and fierce tones, the song captures a modern Y2K essence that feels both nostalgic and refreshing.
Belle mentioned, “Choosing a title track involves a lot of deliberation. Each member can handle multiple genres, giving us many strong options. We selected ‘Lips Hips Kiss’ because it perfectly matches the direction we aimed to pursue — and we feel confident about it.”
Following consecutive summer comebacks, the group is thrilled by their emerging reputation as the “summer queens.” Natty expressed, “We’re very proud of that title. This time, the heat is different — stickier and more intense — and I truly hope people will love it.”
Belle added, “Since ‘Sticky,’ summer has become my favorite season. I want Kiss of Life to be the group that people associate with summer.”
Regarding their fresh approach, Julie stated, “We wanted to catch everyone by surprise. It’s a new challenge, but we feel assured in this genre and sound. We aimed to show our versatility.”
When asked what recognition they hope to achieve with this release, Belle responded, “We aspire to be recognized as the queens of R&B.” She further noted, “Our goal is to secure a No. 1 spot on music shows and reach the top three on digital charts.”
Julie also expressed, “I want people to say, ‘Wow, this is so cool, and the music is fantastic.’ We’ve always explored various genres, but this album boasts particularly high quality. I hope listeners are pleasantly surprised.”
Kiss of Life’s latest mini-album, “224,” was released on Monday across major music streaming platforms.
