KISS OF LIFE (self-titled) "Shhh"

In an era dominated by a relentless surge of new music, it takes something truly special to capture the heart and attention of listeners worldwide. Enter the K-pop scene's latest sensation, KISS OF LIFE, whose debut mini-album has set the internet ablaze. From the innovative production by top-tier music producers to the electrifying dance practices, KISS OF LIFE is not just a band; it's an enigma. With their unique fusion of K-pop and R&B, members Belle, Julie, Natty and Haneul, have swiftly won over fans, affectionately dubbed as ‘Countdowns’. This self-titled mini album, under the auspices of S2 Entertainment, marks a significant milestone in their burgeoning career, heavily influencing the global music landscape.

This comprehensive review will delve into the magic behind KISS OF LIFE's debut, exploring each track's nuances, from "Sugarcoat" to "Shhh," and the collaborative genius involved in the songwriting and production. We'll offer insights into the band's background, including the individual journey of each member, from Belle's soulful voice to Julie's mesmerizing dance moves. Additionally, the article will cover the strategic promotional activities and eye-catching music videos that have propelled KISS OF LIFE to the forefront of the K-pop industry. With a spotlight on the album's themes, the creative involvement of each member, and the reception from fans and critics alike, this review promises to uncover the essence of what makes KISS OF LIFE a groundbreaking addition to the music world.

Type

Mini

Artist

KISS OF LIFE

Released

July 5, 2023

Format(s)

CD, download, streaming

Recorded

2023

Genre

Hip-hop, dance, pop, rock, R&B

Length

18:05

Label(s)

S2 Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Kakao Entertainment

Producer(s)

Chloe Martini (track 3)

"Shhh (쉿)" - 3:02

"Bye My Neverland (안녕,네버랜드)" - 3:23

"Sugarcoat" (Natty solo) - 2:59

"Countdown" (Belle solo) - 2:51

"Kitty Cat" (Julie solo) - 2:50

"Play Love Games" (Haneul solo) - 3:00

KISS OF LIFE, also abbreviated as KIOF, is a four-member South Korean girl group managed by S2 Entertainment. The ensemble includes Julie, Natty, Belle, and Haneul, each bringing unique talents and backgrounds to the group. They officially debuted on July 5th, 2023, with their self-titled mini album "KISS OF LIFE".

Julie, born Julie Han in Hawaii, USA, serves as the leader, main rapper, and lead dancer. Her early life included ballet and relocation to South Korea at age 13. Julie's multifaceted interests span from fashion, influenced by her mother, a fashion designer, to literature and cinema, with a fondness for "The Devil Wears Prada." Her training included stints at TheBlackLabel and Swing Entertainment before joining KISS OF LIFE.

Natty, whose real name is Anatchaya Suputtipong, hails from Bangkok, Thailand. As the main dancer, lead rapper, and sub-vocalist, she brings a wealth of experience from her participation in reality shows like "Sixteen" and "Idol School," and her solo debut with the single "NINETEEN" in 2020. Natty is known for her versatility in dance, particularly hip hop, and her multilingual abilities, speaking Korean, Thai, Japanese, and English.

Belle, born Anabelle Shim in Seattle, USA, is the main vocalist of the group. Her creative talents extend beyond singing; she has also worked as a songwriter for SM Entertainment. Belle's musical influences are evident in her work, having provided background vocals for NCT's Mark and composed songs for several K-pop groups. Her hobbies include shopping and crafting, showcasing her artistic side.

Haneul, the youngest member, is from Suwon, South Korea. As the lead vocalist and maknae, Haneul's interests include sports, travel, and music, particularly admiring artists like Olivia Rodrigo. She is noted for her proficiency in Korean, English, and Japanese, and her dislike for vegetables highlights her candid personality.

KISS OF LIFE's debut mini-album, released under S2 Entertainment, introduces a fresh blend of K-pop and R&B with a total of six tracks, showcasing the diverse talents of members Julie Han, Natty, Belle, and Haneul. The album, titled "KISS OF LIFE – EP," features a mix of group and solo performances that highlight each member's unique abilities and musical preferences.

The EP kicks off with two full group tracks, setting a dynamic tone for the album. The title track "Shhh" combines the individual styles of all four members into a cohesive R&B sound, characterized by its heavy beats and a storyline that unfolds through its music video, hinting at a deeper connection among the members . Following "Shhh," the second group track "Bye My Neverland" delivers a nostalgic 2010 pop-punk vibe, with lyrics encouraging listeners to leave behind the past and venture into new beginnings.

Each of the four remaining tracks on the album allows the members to explore their solo capabilities. These songs vary in style but maintain a consistent quality that complements the group tracks. The solo tracks delve deeper into the pop and R&B genres, showcasing the versatility and range of each artist.

The album not only marks a significant debut but also sets a high standard for future releases, with each track weaving together the distinct voices and styles of KISS OF LIFE's members into a compelling narrative of musical exploration and personal expression.

The track "Shhh" features a collaboration between Rick Bridges, Strawberrybananaclub, Belle, and Julie. This song sets a dynamic R&B tone for the album with a duration of 3:02 minutes.

"Bye My Neverland" involves contributions from BYMORE, Ondine, and Strawberrybananaclub, with Julie and Haneul adding their voices. The track spans 3:23 minutes, offering a nostalgic pop-punk vibe that encourages listeners to embrace new beginnings.

Natty takes center stage in "Sugarcoat," with songwriting credits to Jo Yoon-kyung and production by Uzoechi Emenike and Chloe Martini. This solo piece lasts 2:59 minutes, showcasing Natty's versatility in blending R&B with distinct pop elements.

Belle's solo track "Countdown" is crafted by Gemma and Belle herself, with Royal Dive handling the production. The song, lasting 2:51 minutes, highlights Belle's songwriting prowess alongside a compelling musical arrangement.

Julie's "Kitty Cat" features a collaborative effort from Park Seong-hee, Chae-rin (153/Joombas), Mok Ji-min (Lalara Studio), and JaeH. This track, with a duration of 2:50 minutes, allows Julie to explore a playful yet assertive musical style.

Haneul's "Play Love Games" integrates elements from the 1908 Tin Pan Alley song "Take Me Out To The Ballgame," crafted by Moon Sulli with contributions from Skylar Mones, Hollyn Shadinger, and Alna Hofmeyr. The track, lasting 3:00 minutes, mixes traditional influences with modern musical styles, though it heavily leans towards being a cover due to its extensive interpolation.

The debut mini-album "KISS OF LIFE" showcases a collaborative effort from a diverse group of talented individuals. Notable contributions include the track "Shhh," which was co-produced by Rick Bridges and Strawberrybananaclub, with Belle and Julie also participating in its creation . Similarly, "Bye My Neverland" features the combined efforts of BYMORE, Ondine, and Strawberrybananaclub, with vocal inputs from Julie and Haneul .

In her solo track "Sugarcoat," Natty worked alongside producers Uzoechi Emenike and Chloe Martini, with Jo Yoon-kyung contributing to the songwriting . Belle's solo piece, "Countdown," was crafted with the assistance of Gemma and produced by Royal Dive, highlighting Belle's songwriting skills . Julie's track "Kitty Cat" saw collaboration from Park Seong-hee, Chae-rin (153/Joombas), Mok Ji-min (Lalara Studio), and JaeH . Lastly, Haneul's "Play Love Games" was a creative endeavor involving Moon Sulli, Skylar Mones, Hollyn Shadinger, and Alna Hofmeyr, blending traditional and modern musical styles.

In the realm of KISS OF LIFE's debut, the audio and music videos play a pivotal role in amplifying their artistic expression. The music video for "Shhh" integrates visual and musical elements reminiscent of the Y2K era, drawing comparisons to iconic sounds and styles from that time . This track features a rhythmic pattern that echoes the memorable beats of Britney Spears' "Toxic," utilizing orchestral hits and snappy snares to create a groove that is both nostalgic and fresh .

Similarly, the music video for "Bye My Neverland" taps into a narrative style that many might recognize from teen dramas, encapsulating a spirit of youth and rebellion. The production within this song switches up constantly, maintaining engagement and showcasing the group's vocal and dance capabilities . This approach not only highlights their performance skills but also adheres to a tried-and-true formula that proves effective in capturing the audience's attention .

The visual presentation of "Midas Touch" in its music video brings a modern twist to the 00s pop aesthetics, combining Greek mythological elements with contemporary fashion and dance . This not only enhances the visual appeal but also complements the audio experience, where the instrumental arrangement and vocal performances are designed to resonate with both nostalgic listeners and modern audiences .

Each music video serves as a platform to highlight the unique talents of KISS OF LIFE's members, from their vocal prowess to their dance and performance skills. The strategic use of visual and audio elements in these videos ensures that each song not only stands out musically but also leaves a lasting impression visually.

The debut mini-album "KISS OF LIFE" offers a range of merchandise and physical album options, catering to diverse fan preferences. The standard album package is priced at $19.99 and includes a CD, a magazine, a random lip card from four possible designs, and two random photocards out of twelve . It is manufactured in the Republic of Korea and was officially released on July 6, 2023 . For collectors, the album is available in two versions: YOUTH and SHADE, with the option to add posters for an additional $2 each, shipped in a separate tube to ensure quality during delivery.

In addition to the standard offerings, the album's packaging notes that the outbox is designed primarily to protect the product, and no refunds or exchanges are provided for any delivery damages . Importantly, purchases of this album are counted towards the HANTEO Charts, contributing to the group's chart rankings.

For fans looking for more exclusive items, the pre-order phase included options such as the "Midas Touch" Photobook and JEWEL versions, priced variably with the JEWEL version available as a 4-piece set or a random single item . Though these were limited and are no longer available, they represented a unique opportunity for early supporters to obtain special merchandise.

The range of merchandise extends beyond albums to include official group merchandise like light sticks, photocards, and various album formats such as photobook, digipack, jewel, digital, Weverse, photocard, KiT, SMini, vinyl, and cassette albums . This extensive merchandise lineup ensures that all fans, whether they prefer physical collectibles or digital formats, have access to a variety of products to support and celebrate KISS OF LIFE's debut.

KISS OF LIFE's promotional strategy for their debut was meticulously planned, starting with a teaser released on June 12, 2023, which announced the group's upcoming debut with their first EP, "Kiss of Life" . This was followed by a series of solo music videos beginning with "Sugarcoat" by Natty on June 18, 2023, and subsequent releases for "Countdown" by Belle, "Kitty Cat" by Julie, and "Play Love Games" by Haneul, which not only showcased the individual talents of each member but also maintained a steady buzz around the group.

On June 27, 2023, the music video for the B-side of the EP, "Bye My Neverland," was released. This video connected all of the solos' music videos, weaving a narrative that introduced the group's concept and artistic direction . The crescendo of their promotional activities culminated with the music video teaser for the lead single "Shhh" on July 3, 2023, setting the stage for the official debut.

These strategic releases were designed not only to introduce KISS OF LIFE's music and members but also to create a storyline that fans could follow, enhancing engagement and anticipation for the debut. The approach proved effective, demonstrating the group's potential and versatility in various aspects of performance, including vocals, dance, and rap, as highlighted in their title track "Shhh".