One word to describe KISS OF LIFE's feelings as of late: grateful. It's Nov. 19, and spirits are high among the four-member K-pop group.
"We just came back from soundcheck, so our energy is really high up there," Julie, KISS OF LIFE's 24-year-old leader, tells USA TODAY backstage at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland.
It's the group's second day performing at the venue, and tonight's line has already wrapped around the block. KISS OF LIFE kicked off its first US tour Nov. 10. When tickets were initially released, they sold out in minutes, leading the group to add more dates.
"It really means a lot. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since my trainee days, so it still feels like a dream to me," Natty, 22, says.
This tour is especially important to two members. "Julie and I were born in America, so it feels extra special for us to perform," explains Belle, 20, who hails from Seattle.
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KISS OF LIFE didn't have a lot of chances for in-person interaction with their international fans prior to the tour. But now, the girls' dreams are becoming reality.
"We always used to tell them, 'Just wait a little bit for us to go and see you guys and perform live,' and we finally got the opportunity to," Julie says, "So, we're super grateful and happy toto be here."
KISS OF LIFE is still fresh to the K-pop scene, having debuted in 2023. Over the last year, the girls have made had waves with musically versatile releases and powerful choreographies, establishing themselves as a formidable force.
They won top newcomer awards last season, including Rookie of the Year at the Korean Music Awards and New Artist of the Next Generation at the Circle Chart Music Awards. KISS OF LIFE also made its first entry into the Billboard 200 chart, with summer single "Sticky."
Coupled with a sold-out first US tour, it's been surreal to experience this level of international success, the girls says.
"It means that much more to be able to have that support, and we want to continue growing," says Julie.
Natty says she's "so happy" that the group can communicate on a global scale, finding this to be KISS OF LIFE's strength. The group itself is multi-national, comprised of two Korean American members, one Thai member and one Korean member.
KISS OF LIFE's "Kiss Road" tour began in Seoul back in October and extends worldwide, including 19 stops across America. The members sought to make these concerts "extra special," Julie reveals.
"We put a lot of thought and effort into this tour," she shares. "We wanted to make it very different from what we do in Korea; we wanted to make it more raw and real."
"We wanted to make it more fun and wanted to cause more interactions with Kissys (their fandom name)," says Belle. This lead to the creation of "Kissy Chair." During this concert section, audience members are selected to be on stage for song "Nobody Knows."
The fan reception has been unbelievable, the girls add. They were told about lively crowds in the U.S., but their expectations were beyond exceeded.
"When we came, it was even bigger than we expected, like the cheers and the singing is actually another level," says Julie. Hanuel, 19, adds how amazing it is that the fans sing along to every song.
KISS OF LIFE recently released EP "Lose Yourself" in October, which peaked No. 6 on South Korea's Circle Album chart. Its tracks are among the tour's setlist standouts, such as "Igloo."
This song's costuming includes sunglasses and KISS OF LIFE has taken note that fans will bring out the accessory just for this performance. "That was a moment for us," says Julie.
Performing is a "devotion," says Belle, and the other girls agree.
"We all know that there are going to be so many people out there who took their own time just to watch us. I think that this is not a thing to be taken for granted. We always try our best for to make the quality the best," Belle explains.
"We want this opportunity to be something where we could really learn and grow from," says Julie. "Being able to see that (fan reaction) in person really makes us have a deeper understanding of what kind of music that our Kissys enjoy and what we want to do moving on forward."
And live performance helps further KISS OF LIFE's artistry. Natty has been able to strengthen her confidence on stage. While Haneul is actualizing who she wants to be.
"A 'self-satisfying artist,'" she says. "I want to become an artist that makes me feel proud in every aspect, to the point where I think, 'Wow, I’m really amazing.'"
For Belle, she wants to give positive energy through KISS OF LIFE's music.
"We want to continue to explore diverse genres of music, keep on pushing our limits to see what we could do. Through this tour, we want to be able to satisfy more and more more of our Kissys and more people as well, and hopefully get some better, good music out there and hit the charts as well," Julie adds.
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