KISS OF LIFE Enters New Era With 'SWEAT': "We Know Who We Are Now"

Last summer, KISS OF LIFE established itself as one of K-POP's standout summer acts with "Sticky." This year, however, the group isn't looking to recreate that success. Instead, the members say "SWEAT" reflects where they are nearly three years after their debut. Now that they've settled into their own style, they believe it's finally time to show listeners what KISS OF LIFE is truly about.

"We think the adjustment period is over," Julie told K-POPIT during an interview in Seoul ahead of the album's release. "Now we know what kind of performances we want to do and what kind of music we want to make."

The group's third single takes its name from the phrase "Don't Let Them See You Sweat." Rather than treating sweat as something to hide, the members use it as a symbol of the effort behind every performance. Built on Afro house and electronic pop, the title track carries a brighter summer sound while telling a more personal story than last year's release.

Belle said the biggest difference between "SWEAT" and "Sticky" lies in the story the group wanted to tell. "'Sticky' was about a fun, refreshing summer," she said. "This time we wanted to tell the story behind that confidence. We wanted sweat to symbolize the hard work and effort that people don't always see, rather than simply the heat of summer."

Julie said the group wanted listeners to see the work behind its confident image. "Last time we focused on confidence itself," she said. "This time we wanted to show the effort and growth that make that confidence possible. We hope people can listen to our music and leave feeling a little more confident themselves."

That perspective comes from experience. After nearly three years together, the members say each comeback has helped them better understand their strengths.

"I think the first three years are really about adjusting as an idol," Julie said. "Now we know what kind of performances suit us and what kind of music feels most like us."

Haneul said each comeback has helped the group better understand its identity. "With every promotion we've learned more about our strengths," she said. "I think this album is the beginning of showing those colors much more clearly."

Natty also described the comeback as a fresh starting point. "We've learned so much over the past three years," she said. "Now it feels like we're really getting started. There are still so many things we want to show."

Belle believes the group's next challenge is building a sound people immediately associate with KISS OF LIFE.

"We've learned and grown so much over the past three years, but I still think we've only scratched the surface," she said. "We haven't even released a full-length album yet. Rather than limiting ourselves to one genre, I want people to hear our music and think, 'Only KISS OF LIFE could pull off a song like this.'"

That thinking also shaped how the album came together. Compared with previous releases, the members were much more involved throughout the production process, especially when it came to selecting songs. Belle personally brought in both the title track and the B-side "WHAT!" after searching beyond the demos the company initially provided.

"The company sent us a lot of great songs, but I felt there might be something that fit us even better," Belle said. "So I reached out to producers I already knew, and the moment I heard 'SWEAT' and 'WHAT!,' I knew those were the songs we had to do."

Belle said she was drawn to "WHAT!" because of the energy it would bring to the stage. "The Latin influences and EDM elements felt perfect for concerts," she said. "I could picture us freely interacting with the audience and enjoying the performance. I knew it was exactly the kind of song that suited KISS OF LIFE."

She added that the members' opinions were reflected throughout the album more than ever before. "We wanted this album to represent who we are," she said. "I think our voices were included much more than they had been on previous releases."

The interview also touched on the criticism surrounding the choreography for the group's previous single, "Who Is She," which sparked online debate over its perceived suggestiveness. Julie said the members take all feedback seriously but don't believe every opinion should dictate their creative choices.

"We listen to every piece of feedback," she said. "That doesn't mean there's one right answer to every reaction. We consider those opinions, but we also think it's important to stay confident in what we believe in."

Belle said that same mindset carries into "SWEAT." "We want to keep trying different things while making music that people can naturally connect with," she said. "If our songs can give someone confidence or strength, that's meaningful to us."

The choreography reflects that philosophy as well. Rather than focusing solely on difficult routines, the members intentionally incorporated signature moves that fans can easily follow. "We wanted everyone to enjoy performing the song together," Natty said.

Haneul added that several of the key moves were designed to be easy enough for anyone to pick up after watching them once, while Julie said she hopes even casual listeners will feel comfortable joining in.

The members also have their own hopes for this comeback. Natty said she'd like to see "SWEAT" surpass the success of "Sticky," while Haneul laughed as she admitted she'd love to see the song reach No. 1 on Korea's Melon chart.

For Belle, however, success goes beyond chart positions. "The comment I want to hear most is, 'Only KISS OF LIFE could do this,'" she said. "That's the kind of team we want to become."

KISS OF LIFE will release its third single, "SWEAT," on Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. KST.