[News Culture] KISS OF LIFE is stepping into a new chapter with the bold energy of summer, carrying forward the confidence built through three years of hard work, uncertainty and growth.
News Culture recently met with KISS OF LIFE members Julie, Natty, Belle and Haneul ahead of the release of their third single album, ‘SWEAT.’
Arriving four months after their second single album, ‘Who is she,’ released in April, ‘SWEAT’ contains the title track of the same name and B-side ‘WHAT!’
The record delivers the refreshing allure and self-assurance expected of the group dubbed one of K-pop’s “summer queens.” Beneath that immediate appeal, however, lies a deeper message about the natural beauty that emerges through sustained effort and time spent building oneself.
The title track opens another chapter in KISS OF LIFE’s summer catalog following the success of ‘Sticky.’
Built on an Afro-house foundation that blends electronic pop with Latin rhythms, ‘SWEAT’ moves at a brisk pace and offers a distinctly different thrill from its predecessor.
Its appeal extends beyond straightforward charisma or sensuality. The lingering melody creates a vivid, almost cinematic atmosphere, naturally calling to mind a lyrical performance unfolding onstage.
A dramatic shift arrives at the break, where the tempo drops sharply before the sound surges back with renewed force. The reversal hints at the explosive energy the four members are preparing to unleash in live performances.
B-side ‘WHAT!’ reinforces the group’s identity with a cooler, more uninhibited burst of energy.
Behind the relaxed confidence of both tracks was an intensive creative process. The members repeatedly exchanged ideas with the A&R team on everything from vocal mixing and performance structure to the direction of the lyrics.
Their goal was to sharpen the confident blend of R&B and funk that has become central to the KISS OF LIFE sound.
Throughout the interview, the four members spoke candidly about the fierce process of choosing the songs, their commitment to the stage and the emotional significance of receiving their first earnings since debut.
Q. You are returning only four months after your previous release. What was your first impression of the title track?
Belle: We gathered and reviewed a wide range of songs ourselves before choosing the title track. The moment we heard this one, we immediately felt that it belonged to us. The meaning of the title was important, and we could clearly imagine the kind of strengths we would be able to show through the performance. It quickly became every member’s favorite.
Julie: We are always extremely careful when choosing songs, so there was naturally some pressure over how to follow ‘Sticky,’ which received so much love as one of our signature summer tracks. But the moment I heard ‘SWEAT,’ I felt this rush of emotion. I could picture the entire stage perfectly.
Q. How did the song evolve during production?
Belle: We communicated very intensely over the smallest details, including how our voices should be mixed after the arrangement was completed and how the track should flow alongside the performance. It was a constant process of adjustment to create a stronger overall picture.
Julie: Rapper Kid Milli participated in writing the lyrics. Before the work began, we shared the message and broader concept we wanted the song to carry, so the collaboration developed very organically.
Belle: No matter how good a song was, we were willing to leave it off the album if it did not fit our identity, which is rooted in confidence and self-assurance with an R&B and funk sensibility. I feel as though we now understand much more clearly what makes something distinctly KISS OF LIFE.
Q. The song-selection process sounds highly competitive. You seem especially attached to ‘WHAT!’
Natty: We had so many songs to consider, including a lot recommended by the company, so we had to make our case very strongly during the discussions. ‘WHAT!’ was simply too good to discard. The track was strong enough to be a title song. We wanted at least one energetic number that would let all of us run around and have fun together onstage.
Julie: It feels direct and cool. It is so powerful that it almost creates a sense of relief. Fans can look forward to a commanding performance that may remind them of ‘Igloo.’
Q. The performance appears likely to have a very different energy from ‘Sticky.’ The song also suggests a more lyrical atmosphere.
Natty: Unlike ‘Sticky,’ this feels like a group of confident women dancing and singing barefoot on the sand beside the sea at night. Listeners will be able to see a more mature side of KISS OF LIFE. The signature move is not twerking this time. We added a new kind of hip-focused choreography as the main point.
Julie: Rather than forcing every move, we built the choreography around freely feeling the music’s rhythm and atmosphere. We wanted each member to express a form of freedom that made sense to her individually. In that respect, the performance may appear more relaxed and stripped back.
Haneul: We say that we are relaxing into the vibe onstage, but this is actually the most physically demanding and difficult choreography we have ever done. (Laughs)
Q. KISS OF LIFE recently celebrated its third anniversary. How did receiving your first earnings earlier this year affect you?
Natty: I bought my own plane ticket to Thailand and treated my parents to a meal with money I had earned. I spent a long time as a trainee using my mother’s card, so I felt proud to finally show her that I could afford to buy dinner myself. We had lived apart for more than 10 years, and she became very emotional when she saw me paying for the meal.
Julie: Receiving our first earnings made me think, “This is where the real beginning starts. We need to work even harder.” The responsibility I feel toward our fans also changed. At debut, I was focused largely on the performance itself. Now I want to create stages that prove how much our fans mean to us.
Q. Is there a particular title or achievement you hope to earn through this album?
Julie: Of course, it would be wonderful to reach No. 1, but more than anything, I want to return to the mindset we had at the beginning and repay our fans. We know they want a good result just as desperately as we do. Reaching that goal together would make us happier than words could express.
Haneul: I would like people to call us “my air conditioner.” If ‘Sticky’ felt like a cool breeze, this song carries the image of a scorching beach. Even within that heat, I hope people can look at us and feel refreshed.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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