Sports Kyunghyang (SK) was born on May 16, 2005. It has been exactly 21 years since it was introduced to the world under the name ‘Sports Khan’ on a sunny May day. However, about ten days later, a movement began that cannot be overlooked in the history of K-pop: the birth of KISS OF LIFE member Haneul (born Won Haneul) on May 25, 2005.
Whenever SK creates an anniversary issue, they have primarily met artists who debuted in 2005. For their 18th anniversary, they met the “hot-mouthed” older sisters, and for the 19th, they met the “hot-thinking” older sisters. Now that they’ve passed twenty and entered the golden age of life, they can finally meet artists born in 2005. In that sense, Haneul and SK, born only 9 days apart, share an extraordinary bond as friends.
KISS OF LIFE debuted in July 2023 and is currently active at the center of 5th generation K-pop idols. With members Haneul, Julie, Natty, and Belle, they are called “hexagon idols” for their balanced excellence in dance, vocals, concept digestion, and stage presence, and are even referred to as a “miracle of small agencies.” We met Haneul, who recently finished promotions for their second single “Who is she” and is preparing for a fan meeting tour.
■ “My 21st year? I’m now taking care of those around me”
KISS OF LIFE wrote a new record with their “Who is she” promotions. While they achieved two music show wins in 2024, the year after their debut, this latest activity marked their first 1st place on Mnet’s “M Countdown,” which is considered one of the major music programs.
“I feel a great sense of pride because we received so much love. I also heard news of 1st place on overseas charts. During this promotion, we used handheld microphones instead of pin mics, and I remember showing a more free-spirited live feeling. It’s been almost three years since debut, and honestly, I never imagined receiving this much love.”
Haneul debuted at 19 and spent her 20th year touring the world and gaining popularity with “Sticky.” At the time, it wasn’t easy to realize she had become an adult, but now that she is 21, she is finally aware of it. As she mentioned in a recent interview, there is also the practical difference of finally starting to receive settlements and earning an income.
“Until now, my parents took care of me, but now I can give them allowance and look after them if they are uncomfortable. I think this is the year I’ve started thinking more about my own health too. Adults might say, ‘You’re in your prime, why worry?’ but I think it’s important to care for your health early on.”
■ “Efforts for my dream, I didn’t even want to show my tears”
Born and raised in Suwon, Haneul was a student who worked hard on her homework and served as a student leader. Inheriting the musical sense of her mother, who majored in piano, she felt a decisive attraction to singing and dancing. She entered as a trainee in high school and became a member of KISS OF LIFE. For her, being a singer was destiny.
“I’ve been quite talented in arts and sports since I was young. I was a hardworking student (laughs). I was usually quiet, but whenever there was a performance, a chance to dance, or any opportunity to sing, I never missed it. If I hadn’t become a singer, I probably would have been an ordinary and diligent student, or perhaps pursued music or sports.”
She even took a gamble by choosing the GED to focus on her debut and activities. During her trainee days, her routine was to arrive an hour early to refine her vocals. While she had plenty of room for improvement in dancing, such as struggling with splits, she eventually caught up with the highly skilled older members. At 21, she learned how to endure and work hard for her dreams.
“When I hit a slump, I’m the type to keep going until I get it right. When I’m exhausted and struggling, I cry, but I didn’t want people around me to see that. I’d go to the bathroom to cry and then come back out smiling. I felt proud when I could show a more grown version of myself and receive feedback. Exercise helped too. When I had too many thoughts, I’d spend three hours working out.”
■ “SK! Let’s be good friends”
While KISS OF LIFE is a dance-based team that wins with high-energy stage manners, Haneul’s personal taste leans more toward band music. She likes singer Hanroro and the recently returned band LUCY. Like all the multi-talented members of the group, Haneul wants to further refine her electric guitar skills, which she briefly showcased during a recent concert.
“Just like when I first dreamed of becoming a singer, I still want to give emotion, comfort, and joy through my voice. In KISS OF LIFE, I want to maintain the team’s balance with my clear tone while delivering our message. I’m also composing songs and writing messages in my spare time for the day I can eventually debut as a soloist.”
Her ambitions aren’t limited to music; she also wants to try acting. She dreams of becoming an irreplaceable presence both on stage and in dramas, like Kim Sejeong (who returned with I.O.I) or Apink’s main vocalist Jung Eun-ji. For the fan meeting tour starting next month, she is preparing a secret weapon to capture the hearts of fans in Natty’s hometown, Thailand.
“I always keep up with SK’s articles. I tend to search for my own name on portal sites, and I hit ‘like’ when there are pretty photos. SK, when we make a comeback or do individual activities, I’d be grateful if you could post articles faster and more often than anyone else (laughs).”
SK, born May 16, and Haneul, born May 25. Whether she has been active for 10 or 20 years, this connection will not disappear. It is already heartwarming to imagine them continuing this beautiful journey together, supporting one another.
“SK, happy 21st birthday! You’ve probably seen and learned a lot, but there’s still a long way to go in life. Have a happy 21st birthday, and let’s continue to be good friends. Kissy! I hope we make many happy memories at the fan meeting. I’ve prepared many special and precious stages for you!”
