The K-pop world was shaken today as KCONUSA announced that KISS OF LIFE, one of the most anticipated acts for KCON LA 2025, has officially withdrawn from the festival’s lineup. This decision follows a wave of backlash tied to a racial controversy that has haunted the group since early April. Let’s break down what happened, and what this means for the group’s future.
What Happened: The KISS OF LIFE Controversy
KISS OF LIFE, a rising fourth-generation K-pop girl group under S2 Entertainment, found themselves at the center of a storm in April 2025. The controversy erupted after a resurfaced livestream clip showed member Julie singing a cover song that contained a racial slur. The group was also criticized for sporting themselves as a being a part of “black culture.” Many fans deemed inappropriate and stereotypical, while others found no harm and that they were celebrating not demeaning.
- The Livestream Incident: During a casual livestream, Julie sang a song without realizing its lyrics included a racial slur. She later apologized, stating, “I deeply regret not paying enough attention… I’m determined to be more cautious in the future.”
- Cultural Appropriation Backlash: Fans pointed out the group’s use of cornrows and other elements often associated with Black culture, accusing them of perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
- S2 Entertainment’s Response: The group’s label issued an apology on April 3, acknowledging the cultural insensitivity and promising to educate the members. The members themselves released a handwritten apology, admitting, “We know there’s nothing we can say or do that will magically fix the mistake we made.”
KCON LA 2025 Withdrawal: The Official Statement
On May 16, 2025, KCON USA shared a statement from the KCON team confirming that KISS OF LIFE would no longer be performing at KCON LA 2025. The decision was mutual between KCON and S2 Entertainment, citing “careful consideration and thorough discussions” amid the ongoing controversy.
Here’s a breakdown of the statement:
- Reason for Withdrawal: The statement noted that the decision was made after exploring “all avenues for participation” but ultimately concluded that KISS OF LIFE’s involvement would not proceed.
- Apology to Fans: The KCON Team expressed sincere apologies to fans who were looking forward to the group’s performance, promising to deliver “even more special and memorable experiences” at the festival.
- Future Plans: KCON assured fans that they would continue to bring top-tier acts to the event, hinting at potential replacements for KISS OF LIFE.
KCON LA 2025, set to feature major acts like aespa, NCT 127, and I-dle’s Yuqi, was expected to be a significant platform for KISS OF LIFE to showcase their talents to a global audience. Their withdrawal marks a major setback for the group, which debuted in 2023 and had been gaining traction with hits like Sticky and Igloo.
Final Thoughts
While the group has taken steps to apologize and learn from their mistakes, the road to recovery will be challenging. For now, fans are left to speculate on the group’s next move, and who will take the stage in their place at one of K-pop’s biggest festivals. Many people are quick to go to the racism card and often times it can be counter-productive. However, racism will always be bad but instead of focusing on the hate, focusing on the love and embracing other communities will always be the better option than to bring each other down.
