It’s not like Natty to be emotional. The 22-year-old Thai singer and dancer in K-pop group Kiss of Life is many things — bright, charismatic, resilient — but rarely does she let her feelings overwhelm her in front of a crowd.
Yet there she was, standing on the edge of the stage in Seoul’s Olympic Hall, her eyes welling with tears as she looked out at the audience gathered for the second night of Kiss of Life’s first world tour. It was a moment she had dreamed of for 11 years — a decade-long journey of training, setbacks, and perseverance finally paying off. Her voice wavered as she spoke to the audience, "I've been waiting for this moment. I endured it well. I've been a trainee for a long time and experienced failures. I didn't give up, so now I feel rewarded."
Her groupmates Julie, Belle, and Haneul gathered around her to offer comforting smiles. As Belle embraced her, she told the crowd, "Please tell her, ‘You did well.’ Please tell her, ‘Good job.’" The room echoed with their encouragement, a heartfelt recognition of the long journey that had led Natty here: standing on stage, surrounded by people who believed in her just as much as she had believed in herself. People like her parents, who flew in from Thailand to watch their daughter’s first concert; TWICE’s Jihyo, who understands the weight of a long trainee journey and the patience it requires; and the fans who had followed her story, cheering for her as she finally found her rightful place in the spotlight.
So, what kept her going even when the future seemed uncertain? "I didn’t want to give up without showing everyone who I truly am," Natty tells Teen Vogue from Seoul a few weeks before the show.
It’s a busy morning, and Natty, Julie, Belle, and Haneul appear on Zoom, dressed in cozy loungewear. In a few days, they’ll jump into promotions for their latest EP, Lose Yourself, but right now, the mood is relaxed and unguarded, a stark contrast to the polished facade of the industry they inhabit. The girls settle comfortably into their seats, exchanging easy smiles and glances as they talk, communicating silently as close friends often do, with unspoken understanding. Julie and Belle steer the conversation, translating for both Natty and Haneul.
They haven’t done many interviews like this, and there are moments when they lean on one another for support. When asked if the confidence they exude in their music and performances comes naturally to them, Julie begins, "In some ways, definitely." Belle chimes in, "We also pretend sometimes… Is that the right word?" Julie laughs, then offers an alternative: "Try. We try to be confident."
That confidence shines through in Kiss of Life's aura. The group debuted last year with "Shhh," a captivating blend of R&B groove, vocal harmonies, and whistle notes (courtesy of Belle) that speaks to the group’s finesse in the genre. The eponymous EP also featured solo tracks from each member to underscore their individual talents and sensibilities: "Sugarcoat," Natty’s slinky ‘90s R&B number that scored a cosign from BTS’s RM; "Countdown," a funky pop song co-written and produced by Belle; "Kitty Cat," an unapologetic hip-hop track from Julie; and "Play Love Games," Haneul’s playful anthem that interpolates "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Their next EP, Born to Be XX, doubled down on the attitude with lead single "Bad News," a powerhouse pop song with a strong guitar riff, and B-side cut "Nobody Knows," a pure R&B track that nods to the velvet textures of 1970s soul. The 2024 single "Midas Touch" embraced the synthetic soundscapes characteristic of Y2K-era pop, while its flirtatious summer follow-up "Sticky" showcased their more sultry essence, drawing inspiration from laid-back Afrobeats.
This musical versatility is at the heart of Kiss of Life's mission. With their name symbolizing CPR, the group sees themselves as a "breath of fresh air" in the industry. "The meaning behind Kiss of Life is that we want to be a breath of fresh air to everyone," Julie says. The group aims to give life through their music, focusing on themes that resonate deeply. "Our lyrics and concepts are about being confident, being ourselves, and pursuing freedom," Belle adds. "We want to deliver the message that it’s okay not to be perfect. There’s beauty that comes from imperfection."
Emphasizing their shared journey, Julie reflects, "We’re not perfect, so we’re also learning and growing from this journey that we’re on. We want to show that to everyone, and hopefully, everyone watching gains a little more confidence during their journey by seeing that we’re also exploring and learning."
Their latest album, Lose Yourself, showcases this spirit. According to Belle, it’s about "losing yourself and fully immersing in what you truly love and want." For Kiss of Life, those passions are the tangible realities of their work — being on stage, pursuing the music they want to make, and dancing with abandon. "We lose ourselves while we're dancing on stage," Julie says. "Sometimes we lose ourselves looking at our fans and at all of the love and support."
"I lose myself when I go shopping," Belle adds, her cut-and-dry sense of humor a natural foil to Julie’s earnestness.
"Get Loud" is the kind of song that makes it easy to lose yourself in its energy. It’s a track that infuses Latin rhythms with a cha-cha flair, layered over a hip-hop beat. It’s an anthem about embracing creativity and letting go. "With this song, we just want to tell people that it's okay to be free to be creative. Keep on doing what you're doing, because it might bring amazing outcomes," Belle explains. She co-wrote the track with their in-house producer and Taneisha Jackson, a top-liner known for her work with Doja Cat. "I was a little nervous, but I think we did it really well," Belle says. "While writing this song, I thought, ‘Oh, this would fit our group so much.’ And it came out so good. My favorite part is definitely the cha-cha. It’s very catchy."
Kiss of Life's involvement in their creative output has become a defining feature of the group. Julie explains that from the beginning, the members were committed to actively shaping their music, visuals, and performances alongside their creative director, Lee Hae-in, who helped put the group together. This collaboration is made possible through open communication with their company, which respects and values their input. As the leader, Julie ensures that each member's strengths and creative ideas are represented in their work. "Every process, whether it's music or visual or performance, I always try to make sure that everyone's colors and everyone's, you know, good things all get into the final result," she says. This collective spirit allows them to complement each other’s individuality while coming together to create something fresh. Looking forward, Julie hopes they will continue taking on more prominent roles in the process, building on the foundation they’ve set.
This foundation has been especially valuable for Natty, the most seasoned member of the group and a wellspring of experience. At just 13, she made it to the final round of Sixteen, the JYP Entertainment competition series that ultimately formed the nation’s girl group, TWICE. Two years later, she competed in the Mnet survival series Idol School, which formed fromis_9. After years of training, she debuted as a soloist in 2020 with her song "Nineteen," drawing comparisons to the queen of K-pop, BoA, for her performance strengths. Yet, she didn’t feel complete until she debuted in Kiss of Life. Natty’s journey has made her a pillar of support for her groupmates, guiding them through their own challenges.
"We learn so many things from [Natty] because she has so much experience in the industry," Julie says. "She knows the small details that we might not even think of. We really rely on her experiences and the hardships she has faced. She plays a crucial role in the team."
"All of my past struggles shaped who I am," Natty says. "The confidence I can show everyone now is because of the hardships. All of the audition programs and failures I went through form the Natty I am now."
Kiss of Life's formation is a unique story that adds to their charm. Both Natty and Julie had trained for years together at a different company before their paths diverged. After leaving, they hoped to find a company that would accept them as a duo, though they thought that chance was slim. To their surprise, S2 Entertainment signed them together for its debut group. Belle was brought in by Lee Hae-in, and the final piece of the puzzle was Haneul, a trainee they believed would be the perfect addition to their unit. "Talking about this sounds like a drama," Julie says.
Eldest member Julie was chosen as the leader of Kiss of Life. Natty highlights Julie’s essential role, explaining, "As a leader, she knows everything about the members. She has a high level of understanding about each member, and she’s very sensitive." The rapper’s emotional intelligence and empathy enable her to connect deeply with her group, helping them navigate the realities of idol life. "She’s the best leader," Belle adds definitively.
Julie, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, similarly embarked on her journey in the K-pop industry at a young age. She spent her early years in the vibrant culture of Hawaii before moving to South Korea at the age of 13. Julie dedicated six years to rigorous training at various agencies before she met Natty. This extensive training ultimately prepared her for debuting with Kiss of Life.
Reflecting on her journey, Julie shares, "I did ballet when I was in Hawaii, but when I moved to Korea, I had to quit. While I was in school, I had this moment where I thought, ‘Oh, I need to start dancing again. I want to dance again.’ So, I joined a dance company and began learning hip-hop. The moment I danced to a Rihanna song, I realized, ‘I need to do this on stage. I want to perform in front of many people.’ That was when I understood that dancing, singing, and rapping on stage is something I want to do forever."
Belle knew she wanted to make music from an early age. She recalls listening to Chet Baker and Ariana Grande — two of her favorite artists — alone in her room, letting their music inspire her. Driven by a curiosity for the craft, she taught herself to read sheet music, immersing herself in the technical side of music. Her father, Korean singer Shim Sin, nurtured her passion by encouraging her songwriting ambitions and surprising her with a computer equipped with Logic. Belle eagerly taught herself how to use the software, diving deeper into music production and shaping her sound, which was largely inspired by her multicultural upbringing. Born in Seattle, Belle moved to Gwangmyeong, a city just outside of Seoul, when she was a child. Before debuting in Kiss of Life, she composed music for other idols, with credits on Le Sserafim’s "Unforgiven," Miyeon’s Softly, and Viviz’s upcoming song "Hypnotize." She also provided background vocals for NCT Mark’s solo song "Child." So, it’s no surprise Belle also plays a significant role in shaping Kiss of Life’s musicality. "Before becoming an idol, she was a producer, so she brings a wealth of knowledge that we wouldn't have considered," Julie says. "Just listening to her sing helps us grow as artists."
"I was having fun [making music for other idols]," Belle says. "But the reason I became an idol is the members. Seeing them made me decide to pursue this."
Belle’s influence elevates their sound and inspires her teammates to push their creative boundaries. When asked what the members have learned from Belle, the blonde vocalist jokingly replies, "Everything." But Haneul, the group’s youngest member and the only one born and raised in South Korea, credits Belle, Julie, and Natty for teaching her the ropes. Initially soft-spoken and uncertain about her identity as an artist, Haneul ascribes her growth to the guidance of her fellow members, who have helped her discover her distinct voice. Inspired by her favorite group, Sistar, the teen pursued singing with the goal of evoking emotions in others, yet she found herself enveloped in a whirlwind of her own feelings throughout the process. "My members have really shaped me," Haneul says. "I felt like I didn't have a distinct color before I met them or came into this company, but after meeting the members and learning from them, I’m finding my individuality. I still have so many more things to show everyone, and I’m continuing to grow."
Haneul has blossomed into a more self-assured performer, a transformation vividly captured in the recent viral performance of "Igloo," a standout track from their latest album. "Now, when I go on stage, I feel like the coolest person in the world," she smiles.
Julie reflects on Haneul's impressive work ethic: "Although she is the maknae [youngest member], she is the most consistent and hardworking. There are times when we get lazy or tired, but Haneul doesn’t. She’s always working and maintaining a balance. We’re all amazed by her dedication and strive to be more like her."
With that mindset, they’re ready to take on future challenges together. But first, they have a world tour to experience. "We are super excited to finally meet our international fans," Julie shares. "We receive so much love and support through messages, video calls, and comments, and we truly feel that connection. However, meeting everyone in person is on a whole different level." She continues, anticipating the energy of American crowds: "We’ve heard that concerts in America have a unique energy, and we bring our special energy to the stage. We can’t wait to combine those vibes and see what happens when we perform for everyone."
As the night of their Seoul concert unfolded, each member of Kiss of Life took the stage, embodying the spirit of their music — bold, unyielding, and unapologetically themselves. Natty felt the warmth of her parents’ proud smiles, the resonance of their unwavering support wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. It was the end of one dream and the start of another, a shared one among four friends.
"We’re just having fun with it and going with the flow," Julie says with sweet conviction. “Because we don’t know what’s in store for us and how everything will turn out.”
