K-Pop group Kiss of Life has issued a heartfelt apology to fans following controversy over a recent live stream.
On April 2, the group—comprising Julie, Natty, Belle, and Haneul—hosted a YouTube livestream to celebrate Julie’s 25th birthday. The theme was "old-school hip hop vibes," but the broadcast quickly drew criticism from fans who felt that the group had crossed a line by appropriating Black culture. During the stream, the members wore exaggerated hip-hop attire like oversized chains, snapback hats, cornrows, and large hoop earrings, while speaking in accents commonly associated with the genre. They also lip-synced to 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” and used offensive nicknames, including “Lil Taco Belle” and “Bob Sky.”
The livestream was met with backlash on social media, with one post going viral, calling the group’s actions “modern-day blackface” and a “cultural mockery.” Fans expressed their frustration, accusing Kiss of Life of being disrespectful by dressing up and adopting stereotypes, particularly given the historical significance of hip hop to the Black community.
In response, Kiss of Life took to social media on April 5 to share an emotional handwritten apology. The members expressed their sincere regret and took full responsibility for their actions. They explained that their intention was to celebrate their love for old-school hip hop, which has greatly influenced their music, but acknowledged that they had gone too far in their execution.
“We are truly sorry for the disappointment we caused our fans,” the group wrote. “We realize now that our content was culturally insensitive, and we take full responsibility for our actions. We promise to do better moving forward.”
The group further explained that they had spent several days reflecting on their mistake and the impact it had on their fans. “We know there’s nothing we can say to undo the damage, but we are committed to educating ourselves and showing our sincerity through our actions,” they wrote. “We deeply regret the choices we made, and we apologize for any pain we caused.”
Kiss of Life is currently touring Asia, with upcoming shows scheduled through May 2, and they expressed their commitment to learning from this experience and continuing to honor their fanbase, known as “Kissys.”
Source: People Magazine
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