KISS OF LIFE’s KCON Appearance Cancellation Sparks Mixed Reactions

KISS OF LIFE will no longer be attending KCON LA.

KISS OF LIFE | S2 Entertainment

KCON LA 2025 recently revealed its full line-up for the three-day festival. Across the three days, numerous artists from different generations of K-Pop are set to perform, including aespa, NOWADAYS, and MONSTA X.

[#KCONLA2025] 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐏

𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐚#aespa #æspa #에스파@aespa_official

–
KCON LA 2025
AUG 1-3https://t.co/Tc1cN9ymrD Arena, LA Convention Center

Let's #KCON pic.twitter.com/bOYL5AEiae

— KCON USA (@kconusa) May 12, 2025

[#KCONLA2025] 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐏

𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 #NOWADAYS #나우어데이즈@CUBE_NOWADAYS

–
KCON LA 2025
AUG 1-3https://t.co/Tc1cN9ymrD Arena, LA Convention Center

Let's #KCON pic.twitter.com/NFmfM6B9oV

— KCON USA (@kconusa) May 12, 2025

[#KCONLA2025] 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐏

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐗#몬스타엑스 #MONSTAX #MONSTA_X@OfficialMONSTAX

–
KCON LA 2025
AUG 1-3https://t.co/Tc1cN9ymrD Arena, LA Convention Center

Let's #KCON pic.twitter.com/yjTkkwn5qH

— KCON USA (@kconusa) May 12, 2025

Also announced was KISS OF LIFE, to extremely mixed reactions.

| KCON USA

Earlier in the year, KISS OF LIFE sparked huge criticism for cultural appropriation during a live broadcast. As a result of this, many netizens protested the group’s inclusion, with some even suggesting a black ocean be done during their performance.

KCON USA will continuously ignore the demand for BLACKSWAN, yet give platform to racist minstrel-esque idols without a second thought. https://t.co/1D8UiVCFtE pic.twitter.com/hofRCRLQHI

— FAE LIKES IT HOT 🪭 (@m1ngeek) May 13, 2025

However, KCON has seemingly responded to the backlash over the announcement.

On May 16, KCON USA announced that the group would no longer attend the event after “careful consideration.”

[NOTICE]
Dear KCONers,

Thank you for your continued interest and support for KCON LA 2025.

Regrettably, after careful consideration and thorough discussions exploring all avenues for participation, KCON and S2 Entertainment have mutually decided that KISS OF LIFE will no… pic.twitter.com/ddXDODamXU

— KCON USA (@kconusa) May 16, 2025

Many netizens have reactive positively, praising the organization for listing to fans’ complaints. Some of also offered suggestions to KISS OF LIFE to help them “recover” their image.

Kiss of Life(and their team) needs to take a break and do some image consultation and cultural competency training. The whole situation with their live was tone deaf and racist & the “apology” was not genuine. https://t.co/w0qJst77DQ

— Nuna Elle | Bougie Auntie | KPop Muva (@bougiekpopnuna) May 16, 2025

a racism scandal in kpop actually gaining traction for once and leading to material consequences 👀 https://t.co/clY4wmlrrM

— 🤸‍♂️ ⒻⓇⒺⒺ ⓅⒶⓁⒺⓈⓉⒾⓃⒺ🇵🇸 🔻 (@bean_communique) May 16, 2025

wish they clarified why but this is actually a good step in the industry. these kpop groups need to learn that their racist actions have consequences https://t.co/GDZz8H4UIS

— kenny (@qtvahn) May 16, 2025

Others reacted with disappointment, blaming those who threatened with violence the group for the cancellation occurring and taking things too far.

you guys threatened their safety so much they were removed from the line up..

the threats of harming them and death are getting outta hand atp https://t.co/mnFndblbgp

— 📬. (@KIOFSKISSCITY) May 16, 2025

and this is what happens when people post and discuss publicly about how they’re gonna cause harm to the girls and threaten to jump them / throw stuff at them on stage in the name of “accountability”. y’all honestly disgust me. https://t.co/EQatHRzLdK

— wynter ★! DUH! (@_wynterszn) May 16, 2025