Kiss of Life has faced widespread backlash after a recent live stream celebrating Julie’s birthday sparked accusations of cultural appropriation.
The themed event, titled “Old School Hip Hop Vibe,” featured members Julie, Belle, Natty and Hanur, dressed in costumes and hairstyles closely related to Black culture, including cornrows, buntu knots, oversized gold chains and hats.
The livestream also includes freestyle dance and rap performances, with viewers calling the portrayals aggressive and stereotypical. Clips from the event quickly circulated online, spurring criticism from fans and non-fans.
Many named the broadcast as “ock ha ha” of black culture, expressing distrust in the exhibition, highlighting that two of the four members were born and raised in the United States with a racial awareness.
The kiss of life is a modern black face and cultural ock lol. Do we indulge in exaggerated stereotypes and decorate like black people like Halloween costumes? This was not a coincidence. They sat down and planned this and got dressed.
– ri (@ovryuri) April 2, 2025
Sorry, the kissing of life is not uneducated or ignorant. They knew exactly what they were doing and didn’t care.
– Divvy⁷₂₂₇|Jiwon’s lesbian best friend (@santoshdragon) April 2, 2025
Why hell is a life kiss with a black cosplay party 😭😭
– Calm ♔ (@lowrisejns) April 2, 2025
S2 Entertainment responded to the growing anger in a statement posted on its official social media accounts, saying, “We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort to our viewers. The true purpose of the content was to celebrate the hip-hop culture, where much of the musical inspiration for kissing comes from.
The company added that all related content has been removed, and promised that members and teams will approach cultural references in the future with “more attention and respect.”
This controversy comes amidst the increasing sensitivity in the K-Pop industry, particularly following recent virus incidents involving other artists and racial slander. As the backlash continues, fans are seeking more sincere accountability from both the idol and its institution.
