KISS OF LIFE: "Now is the time to do what we want"

KISS OF LIFE is turning up the heat this summer. The four-member group, consisting of Julie, Natty, Belle, and Haneul, released their third single, "SWEAT," on the 4th. This marks their comeback approximately four months after "Who is she" in April. The new release captures a more mature vibe than before, blending Afrobeat rhythms with the intensity of Latin pop.

The album features the title track "SWEAT" and the B-side "WHAT!" The title track was selected after close communication among the members. After Belle first sourced the song, the four members listened to it together and decided on it as the title track. While "Sticky," released last July, garnered reactions on summer music charts by capturing the freshness of daytime, this new track evokes the lingering heat of a beach at night.

A completely different temperature, a message contained in sweat

The group also grappled with the desire not to simply repeat the success of their previous summer hit. "When choosing a song, all members make careful decisions through communication," Julie said. "Since it's a summer song following 'Sticky,' there was some pressure, but when I heard 'SWEAT,' I felt a completely different charm that was also overwhelming. I thought it was the perfect song for right now, and I was excited because the performance came to mind naturally."

The lyrics reflect the hard work behind the scenes. The phrase "Don't let them see you sweat" means not showing one's struggles to others. Belle explained, "Since both we and KiSSy are people who sweat a lot behind the scenes, it felt like a reflection of ourselves. It felt like something we always say to ourselves."

The style of the choreography has also changed. While "Sticky" expressed free-spirited energy through twerking, this time they emphasized maturity with hip-centric movements reminiscent of belly dancing. The members pointed to intuitive choreography—such as motions mimicking wiping away sweat or holding one's head with both hands while shaking the hips—as the key points for their challenge.

Reading short-form trends and aiming for the birth of a 'meme'

The phenomenon of "memes" spreading primarily through short-form platforms is also a strategy for this promotion. "We always try to grasp what the public values highly and how trends are flowing," Belle stated. "We are also aware that there are many memes related to songs at the top of the charts." She added, "While following those flows, we are constantly contemplating how to incorporate our own unique color and strengths."

Julie noted, "I think videos that become memes are those that are created naturally, rather than those that look forced," adding that they plan to monitor reactions after starting their activities to identify key points.

Three years since debut: first settlement and ambitions for 'Summer Queen'

Through several comebacks and a world tour over their three years since debut, the members have established their musical standards. Those standards consist of boldness, confidence, and an energy based on R&B and hip-hop that makes the audience feel free. "Looking back, it's amazing that three years have already passed," Natty said. "We've done a world tour, concerts, and several comebacks, but there is still so much we want to show, and we are full of passion."

Natty added, "If the previous time was the stage of learning 'this is our team's color and who these people are,' I think from now on, we must do exactly what we want to do. It feels like the things we prepared during our trainee days are finally beginning." Recently, after receiving her first settlement, Natty personally bought plane tickets to Thailand with her own money and treated her parents to a meal. Having lived away from her parents for over 10 years and using her mother's card, Natty shared, "I paid with the mindset of, 'Now I have the money to buy a meal, my daughter has grown this much.' My mother cries every time she sees my performances after debut, and I still remember the expression she made when I paid with my own card this time."

The goal for this promotion is to reach number one on major music charts and surpass the achievements of "Sticky." Natty said, "I want to make it so that the title 'Summer Queen' naturally comes to mind when people think of KISS OF LIFE." Haneul expressed hope for a challenge collaboration with seniors like Sistar and SSAK3, while Belle dreamed of a dance challenge with EXO's Kai, whom she admired since childhood.