Kiss of Life band announces tour dates for 'Kiss Road' tour
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Hanging out on a cozy couch for a FanTalk 2 video chat with our site and Celeb Confirmed, the fabulous ladies of K-pop sensation Kiss of Life found themselves in the middle of a whirlwind of drama. [Credit: CHO YONG-JUN]
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As members of the rising K-pop girl group Kiss of Life, they stumbled into a high-octane cultural appropriation controversy in early 2025. During a livestream party to celebrate Julie's birthday, they dressed in a retro hip-hop style, complete with oversized chains, big caps, and hairstyles such as cornrows and Bantu knots. Their performance even included imitating Black American accent and mannerisms, which many fans and critics perceived as stereotypical[1][5].
The fashion choice and impersonation sparked outrage from fans and international netizens, who accused the group of cultural appropriation and perpetuating harmful stereotypes related to Black culture. Waves of strong backlash ensued, resulting in multiple complaints[1][5].
In response, S2 Entertainment, the group's management agency, swiftly issued a public apology[1][5]. The controversy took a heavy toll on Kiss of Life's career and public image, causing diminished interest and engagement from fans. For example, their surprise digital single "Live Laugh Love," released in early May 2025, failed to garner the expected buzz, indicative of a once-promising rookie group now struggling for traction[1][2][5].
Matters grew even more complex when the group found themselves on the lineup for KCON USA 2025, reigniting the controversy and exacerbating its ongoing impact. Fans and other artists in the K-pop community continued to hold the group accountable, reflecting the wider debate surrounding cultural appropriation and anti-Blackness within the K-pop industry[3][4].
The drawn-out situation surrounding Kiss of Life serves as a glaring example of the challenges faced by K-pop groups concerning cultural sensitivity, specifically in relation to hip-hop and Black cultural elements, which have profoundly influenced the genre[2][3].
To put it simply, the cultural appropriation controversy surrounding Kiss of Life's birthday livestream has led to significant backlash, official apologies, and a decline in the group's career momentum. It sparked broader discussions about the responsibilities that K-pop artists bear in respecting cultural origins, most especially Black culture, within the globalized music industry.
After the controversial birthday livestream involving the K-pop group Kiss of Life, they found themselves in the center of a heated debate about cultural appropriation. Amidst the backlash, they were invited for an interview on Entertainment Tonight to discuss the incident and their response. In the upcoming episode, viewers can expect an in-depth conversation about the controversy, its impact on their career, and their thoughts on music and cultural sensitivity.
