In a surprising turn of events, K-pop group Kiss of Life has found themselves at the center of a cultural appropriation controversy, prompting them to release a heartfelt second apology. This backlash stemmed from their "old-school hip hop vibes" themed livestream on April 2, which raised eyebrows for its perceived insensitivity.

The group, comprising talented members Julie, Natty, Belle, and Haneul, took to their official Instagram on April 5, where they shared a handwritten note expressing deep remorse. They wrote, “To all our Kissys [the name of their fandom], we really want to sincerely apologize for the content that was uploaded that caused so much disappointment to our fans.

Their intention, they explained, was to celebrate their affection for old-school hip hop, a genre that significantly influences their music. However, they admitted, "while shooting the content, we ended up taking the concept too far. We realize now that our content was culturally insensitive and take full responsibility for our actions and can only promise to do better.”

The group sincerely expressed their regret, saying, “We truly regret the choices we made and are genuinely sorry for any pain and distress we have caused our fans.” They acknowledged the lessons learned from this experience, emphasizing, “Our Kissy’s support means the world to us, and we will continue to honor you all in every way possible.”

During the controversial livestream, which also celebrated member Julie's birthday, the quartet sported images that included gold chains, cornrows, and Bantu knots, accompanied by stereotypical mannerisms that many viewers found problematic.

In response to the outrage, S2 Entertainment, the agency behind Kiss of Life, quickly issued a statement on April 3, taking accountability for the incident and confirming that all related content has been removed from their online channels.

Kiss of Life, who made their debut in July 2023 with the EP "Kiss of Life," is best known for their infectious tracks like "Igloo" and "Sticky." The group has also been busy planning their first world tour, aptly named "Kiss Road," which will span multiple countries including South Korea, the United States, and Canada from October to December 2024, followed by a European leg scheduled for February and March 2025.

As they navigate this challenging moment, the future remains bright for Kiss of Life as long as they continue working on respectful and inclusive content. Keep watching this space for updates on their journey and how they’ll address the needs and expectations of their diverse fan base!