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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-08-04 09:08:03
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- "We've reached our third debut anniversary, but it feels like we're only just getting started. Up to now, we've been discovering who we are as a team. Going forward, we want to make the music we truly want and continue to grow. We'll do our best to become artists we can be proud of," Natty of girl group KISS OF LIFE said.
Marking the third anniversary of its debut, KISS OF LIFE released its third single, "SWEAT," on Tuesday, aiming to heat up the summer music scene.
In a fiercely competitive K-pop market where even artists from major agencies are not guaranteed success, the quartet has earned the nickname "the miracle of a small agency" after topping television music shows with hits such as "Sticky" and "Who is she."
"We're a group that pursues confident, self-assured music built on an R&B and funky foundation," the members said in a recent joint interview with Yonhap News at a cafe in Seoul's Gangnam district ahead of the album's release.
"Over the past three years, we've been grateful to our fans, the public and everyone at our agency, S2 Entertainment. We won't settle for where we are now. We'll keep soaring higher," they added, expressing confidence in their bid to become this summer's leading girl group.
While many idol groups find it difficult to define their own identity as they explore different genres and concepts with each release, KISS OF LIFE clearly described itself as a team built on "confidence and self-assurance" and "R&B- and funky-based music."
"We'll never hesitate to take on new challenges, either," the members said.
The four-member group, which debuted in July 2023, received its first profit settlement from the agency earlier this year, a milestone reflecting the stability of its career built on growing popularity at home and abroad.
Thai member Natty said she was finally able to buy a plane ticket home with her own money and treat her parents to a meal.
"I spent so many years in Korea as a trainee away from my family, so even those small experiences made me incredibly happy," she said with a smile. "I still remember my mother's expression while we were eating together. I want to become even more successful so I can do much more for them."
Member Haneul said she was also able to give spending money to her parents and grandparents for the first time and even take her first solo overseas trip.
Julie, the eldest member, said, "I think this is only the beginning. Rather than becoming complacent, it motivated me to work even harder. It also made me want to experience this feeling of receiving settlements many more times."
The new single includes the title track "SWEAT" and the upbeat B-side "WHAT!"
"SWEAT" is an Afro-house track that combines electronic pop with Latin rhythms, capturing the heat of summer, rhythmic energy and the tension of locking eyes with someone. The members participated throughout the album-making process, from selecting the songs to shaping the final production.
Natty described the song by saying, "'Sticky' feels like lunchtime on a summer day, while 'SWEAT' reminds you of stylish women dancing barefoot on a sandy beach. I think listeners will see a more mature side of KISS OF LIFE this time."
"The key scene in the music video is us dancing barefoot on the sand," she added. "There are belly dance-inspired moves that emphasize hip movements, so I think it'll be fun to watch."
Although the song's title might suggest it focuses mainly on sensuality, the members said they also wanted to convey the idea of "effort" associated with sweat.
"There's a strong narrative and an empowering message in 'SWEAT,' so I'm confident many people will enjoy it," Julie said. "We wanted to express that accepting your own imperfections is also a sign of maturity. Our members have always tried to grow by openly sharing our struggles with one another."
She added with a laugh, "Since we're making a summer comeback, we wanted to show a healthier image, so we worked out a lot. All four of us trained hard enough to show defined abs in the photos."
Following the release of the single, KISS OF LIFE plans to continue promoting both in South Korea and overseas through television music shows and concerts later this year.
"As we always have, we want to remain a group that consistently gives positive energy to the public," Belle said. "We're always thinking about what we can do to achieve that."
Julie also expressed pride in being called "the miracle of a small agency."
"Whenever people use that phrase, I feel like more opportunities are opening up for artists from smaller agencies and more miracles are happening," she said. "As seniors from a small agency, we want to achieve even greater success."
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