The Novo Los Angeles, CA
Contact: [email protected]
Players: Julie, Natty, Belle and Haneul
With two back-to-back sold-out shows, it’s hard to believe K-pop act Kiss of Life debuted just over a year ago. The group’s Y2K style and addictive '90s R&B, hip-hop and pop melodies are similar to artists like Mary J Blige, Britney Spears and a sprinkle of Ariana Grande. It's the perfect recipe to put the crowd under their spell. The group skipped the elaborate production for their first tour run focusing on showcasing their talents and authentic chemistry.
The leader of the group Julie is charismatic with strong vocals perfect for the barrage of fun rap verses. Natty is the most natural and a triple threat on stage, she’s also the most seasoned member of the group. At 13, she made it to the final round of Sixteen, the JYP Entertainment competition series that formed TWICE. Then two years later, she also competed in the Mnet survival series Idol School, which ultimately formed fromis_9. Born in Seattle, WA, Belle is the group's best vocalist and a gifted songwriter. Her dynamic range and whistle-tone notes shined through the night, especially during the performance of “Nothing.” As the youngest member of the group, Haneul brought fresh energy with her fun melodic vocals.
Kiss of Life’s music is filled with addictive choruses, experimental beats and easy-to-follow choreography. The group performed 20 songs in total, spanning through their three EPs and singles. In K-pop, audience interaction is vital and they did not disappoint. For the performance of “Nobody Knows,” they invited a fan onstage for a personal and intimate dance. They had the entire crowd dancing along with the cool back-and-forth choreography of the synth track “Igloo.” The fun lyrics for “Too Many Alex” had everyone shouting along the chorus of names alongside the group. They even entertained their fans (coined KISSYs) by creating TikToks and taking photos. The group loved to chat with the crowd as Belle and Julie are both native English speakers.
Thanks to their diverse background, the four members know what works to showcase their skills. The night felt nostalgic as they heavily leaned on 90’s R&B and hip-hop music. They kept things fresh by adding sultry choreography and playful moments that had everyone in attendance cheering them on to keep performing.
