KISS OF LIFE Under Fire For Cultural Appropriation In Birthday Livestream

Netizens are disappointed.

The members of KISS OF LIFE have recently sparked backlash with their outfits, hairstyles, and actions in a new livestream.

KISS OF LIFE’s Belle, Natty, Julie, and Haneul | @KISSOFLIFE_S2/Twitter

For Julie‘s birthday livestream, the dress code was listed as “old-school hip hop vibes.”

When the stream began, the members appeared in styles depicting racial stereotypes of Black people. They wore big gold chains, hats, and hairstyles including cornrows and Bantu knots.

썅 하 시작부터 개웃겨서진짜 pic.twitter.com/JDRCuzdtO0

— Kk (@Kk000705) April 2, 2025

They also danced to rap and hip hop music. The members attempted to freestyle during the stream and used stereotypical mannerisms.

Netizens immediately found the portrayals insulting and began mass emailing S2 Entertainment explaining how the video is offensive and must be removed.

i’m sorry but what were they thinking? the hairstyles, the outfits, the movements? this is a mockery and a caricature of Black artists and the theme being ‘old school hip hop’ doesn’t change that https://t.co/ammNjbgXJ4

— rae will SNAP april 7 ⚔️ (@thebillagefool) April 2, 2025

the hair, the hats, the chains, the FOOD….. LMFAOO pic.twitter.com/dtFxmSCH15 https://t.co/405sARDvZh

— serene ♔ (@lowrisejns) April 2, 2025

now why the hell is kiss of life having a black people cosplay party 😭😭

— serene ♔ (@lowrisejns) April 2, 2025

people losing morals over kpop… i love kiof a lot but that is NOT acceptable bffr i’m pretty sure people defending this are not even a part of the community

— niwa 🐈‍⬛ (@gardaevoir) April 2, 2025

Many also felt the timing was also inappropriate as allegedly leaked videos of BLACKPINK saying the N-Word have recently gone viral.

| TikTok

it has definitely been a week for black kpop fans https://t.co/U4VK6hno7s

— doctor satan (@femmepills) April 2, 2025

S2 Entertainment has not yet addressed the controversy. Watch the livestream below.