K-pop’s Hottest ‘Goddess’ KISS OF LIFE Haneul: “At 21, I’ve learned to look after the people around me”

Sports Kyunghyang was born on May 16, 2005. It has been exactly 21 years since it was introduced to the world as ‘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. KISS OF LIFE member Haneul (born Won Haneul) was born on May 25, 2005.

Whenever Sports Kyunghyang creates an anniversary issue, they have often met artists who debuted in 2005. For the 18th anniversary, they met the ‘fiery’ older sisters, and for the 19th, they met the ‘fiery thinkers.’ Now that they have passed twenty and entered the golden age of life, they can finally meet artists born in 2005. In that sense, Haneul and Sports Kyunghyang, born only nine days apart, are friends with an extraordinary connection.

KISS OF LIFE debuted in July 2023 and is currently at the center of K-pop’s 5th generation 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 known as the ‘miracle of a small agency.’ We met Haneul, who has just finished promotions for their second single ‘Who is she’ and is preparing for a fan meeting tour.

■ “My 21st year? Now I take care of those around me”

KISS OF LIFE wrote a new record with ‘Who is she.’ While they achieved two music show wins in 2024, the year after their debut, this latest promotion marked their first-ever win on Mnet’s ‘M Countdown,’ one of the major music programs.

“I feel a great sense of pride because we received so much love. I heard news of us hitting number one on international charts, and we even won on ‘M Countdown.’ It was a time that gave me confidence in the music we’ll release in the future.”

For these promotions, they performed using hand microphones, as they do in concerts, instead of pin microphones. This helped build an image of a team that focuses on and excels at live singing. It became an opportunity to shout, ‘KISS OF LIFE is back!’

“Performing on music shows with the same freedom we have on stage created a great synergy. The makeup, costumes, and hair that highlighted each member’s unique characteristics are also memorable.”

Haneul debuted at nineteen and spent her twentieth year going on a world tour and gaining popularity with ‘Sticky.’ It has already been three years since her debut.

“When I think about the time, I feel like it passed so quickly, wondering, ‘Why has it already been three years?’ Because we’ve done so much, that time feels even more valuable. Honestly, when I debuted, I couldn’t imagine where I’d be now. I never imagined I’d be doing a world tour in less than two years and winning on a major music show in my third year.”

While it wasn’t easy to feel like an adult back then, she is finally realizing it now that she is twenty-one. As she mentioned in a recent interview, there is also the difference that her financial settlement has begun, meaning she now has her own income.

“Until now, my parents took care of me, but now I can give them allowance and look after them if they’re feeling unwell. I think this is a year where I’ve started thinking more about my own health too. Adults might say, ‘You’re in your prime, why worry about that?’ but I believe it’s important to care for your health from an early age.”

Then there are the older members, Julie, Natty, and Belle. Although Haneul prides herself on being ‘Maknae on Top,’ she cannot hide that her sisters are always a source of strength and learning. Haneul is also the youngest at home, with a sister six years older and a brother one year older. She is simply grateful to the people around her who allow her to act spoiled as the youngest while also letting her take the lead sometimes. (Continued in Interview ②)