"Y2K R&B, Heel Choreography"... KISS OF LIFE, A Distinct Summer Queen (Showcase)

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"This time, I was determined to really show off our heel dance!" (Natty)

KISS OF LIFE is once again aiming for the title of "Summer Queen." While their previous track "Sticky" was refreshing, this time, they're going for a more "sticky" vibe, bringing in the 2000s R&B hip-hop genre.

They're presenting a new, feminine yet sexy image, even taking on heel choreography for the first time. They promise a more mature and seasoned performance.

"If existing summer songs were usually refreshing and vibrant, we challenged ourselves with a distinct summer song," commented Julie.

KISS OF LIFE held a media showcase for their 4th mini-album, '224,' at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on June 9th.
Album Concept and Tracks

'224' is an abbreviation for 'Today, Tomorrow, Forever,' signifying the flow of time: today, tomorrow, and eternity.

Belle explained, "It's a narrative heading from a 'today' where the self is suppressed to a 'future' where it's liberated. It's a story for those who are searching for their true selves or living life having forgotten themselves."

The album contains a total of six tracks: "Lips Hips Kiss," "Tell Me," "K bye," "Paintings," "Slide," and "Heart of Gold," and "Think Twice".

The title track is "Lips Hips Kiss," a song characterized by its smooth and feminine atmosphere, rooted in the 2000s R&B hip-hop genre.

Natty emphasized, "The lyrics sensuously express the moment of falling for each other, and the melody is sophisticated. The powerful kick sound is also a key point."
Performance and Production

The stage for "Lips Hips Kiss" was unveiled for the first time at the showcase. The members performed a sexy choreography while wearing heels. Haneul laughed, "While preparing the heel choreography, I realized, 'Our members are this sexy!'"

The B-side tracks are also diverse. The members specifically highlighted track No. 3, "K bye," which was a strong contender for the title track until the very end.

Belle described, "This song has a Y2K sensibility. It combines hip-hop and drum beats with captivating synth sounds. You can catch a glimpse of our confident charm."

She noted that "K bye" had a stronger vibe compared to the title track. Belle commented, "We didn't choose it as the title considering the team's overall direction, but I think fans will love this surprising side of us."

The members directly participated in the album's production. Natty wrote the lyrics for "Tell Me" and "Paintings," while Julie also contributed to the lyrics for "Heart of Gold."

Natty revealed, "'Tell Me' is the brightest among the B-side tracks. I wrote lyrics about a fresh love story. I drew a lot of inspiration from movies and animations."

Julie shared, "The members are increasing their involvement in the work with each album. I mostly get inspiration from my experiences, the members, and our fans." This album notably did not include the participation of former creative director Lee Hye-in, who had collaborated with KISS OF LIFE on numerous hit songs since their debut album.

Despite the absence of a producer, the members expressed confidence. Julie reflected, "On the contrary, the members were able to voice more opinions. I think we were able to grow a lot during the production process."
Aspirations and Future Plans

KISS OF LIFE has set ambitious goals with this album. Belle expressed her desire to earn the title of "Queen of R&B" through their new album activities.

Julie hoped, "More than anything, I want to hear people say, 'The music is so good.' I hope listeners discover our new charms and are surprised."

Haneul hinted at their appearance at Waterbomb festivals. "We'll be performing at various Waterbomb events again this year, following last year. We'll present an even hotter stage this year," she said, raising anticipation.

Meanwhile, KISS OF LIFE will release '224' on various music streaming sites today at 6 PM KST.