Members of K-pop boy band KickFlip poses during a media showcase for the group’s upcoming album, “My First Kick,” at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
JYP Entertainment’s seven-member boy group KickFlip returns Monday with its fourth mini-album “My First Kick” and lead single “Eye-Poppin’,” once again fully leaning into the group’s bright, boyish energy.
The comeback follows last September’s “My First Flip,” which playfully captured the rush of first love, and marked the group’s career high with more than 400,000 copies sold in its first week. This time, KickFlip turns the page to its twenties, framing the new release as both a prologue and a first leap into youth.
Just hours ahead of the Monday release, the group met reporters at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, greeting the press with the same loud enthusiasm that has defined the group since its debut. Amaru, who halted activities last September due to health reasons, did not attend.
“Through variety shows, a lot of people have come to know us,” Juwang said. “But we really want to show that we’re also a strong performance group.”
Minje pointed to the team’s chemistry as the foundation of that strength. “Our performances come from how close we are as members,” he said. “I hope people can really see that.”
Minje of K-pop boy band KickFlip poses during a media showcase for the group’s upcoming album, “My First Kick,” at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
The title track “Eye-Poppin'” is a hyper-punk dance song that feels louder and more fearless than ever. Built around a no-hesitation confession to someone they like, the track mirrors KickFlip’s image as “flirting pros,” a reputation they have built through variety appearances.
Performed live at the showcase, the six members onstage moved through the performance with constant smiles, feeding off each other and the room. It was not perfectly synchronized, nor was every note pristine, but the stage indeed felt alive, recalling the early days of some of K-pop’s biggest acts.
Kyehoon, who has drawn attention for his easygoing charm and on-screen flirting across TV and YouTube, participated in writing and composing the title track.
“As the title suggests, we wanted to leave an impression that really stands out, something you can’t ignore,” he said. “Behind the lightheartedness, there’s also a real desire for people to recognize us.”
He added that his much-talked-about “flirting” persona was always part of a bigger picture.
“I’m thankful people noticed me through that,” he said. “But in a way, it was also a choice to introduce myself and the team. And that feeling toward fans is not just mine. All of our members share it, and that’s what shaped this album.”
Kyehoon, the leader of K-pop boy band KickFlip, poses during a media showcase for the group’s upcoming album, “My First Kick,” at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
“My First Kick” includes seven tracks in total: the title song “Eye-Poppin’,” prerelease track “Twenty,” and B-sides “Stup!d,” “Backward,” “Scroll,” “Roar” and “My Direction.” Notably, all members are credited across the album, adding a layer of sincerity to the project.
Since debuting in January 2025 with “Flip it, Kick it!,” KickFlip has quickly built a résumé that includes multiple local music show wins, rookie awards and appearances at major global festivals like Lollapalooza Chicago.
The group also recently completed its first fan concert tour earlier this year, “2026 KickFlip FAN-CON ‘From KickFlip, To WeFlip,'” spanning 12 shows across five cities and helping sharpen the group’s live performance edge.
“With all of us just entering our early twenties, we want to express the honest emotions we’re feeling right now,” Kyehoon said. “Our freshness, and our willingness to keep trying even if we fail, that’s who we are.”
Donghyeon said the group is also growing into a more mature version of itself.
“We’ve become adults now, and I think we’ve grown more confident and more masculine,” he said. “But we still want to keep that bright energy on stage. At the same time, we want to show a more mature side too.”
K-pop boy band KickFlip poses during a media showcase for the group’s upcoming album, “My First Kick,” at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.koreatimes.co.kr ’
