KickFlip teases busy summer with high-energy comeback, global festival debut

Members of the K-pop boy band KickFlip pose during a media showcase at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap

By Pyo Kyung-min

• Published May 26, 2025 7:06 PM KST

Less than a year into its debut, JYP Entertainment's rookie group KickFlip is already turning heads, landing spots at major global festivals and positioning itself as one of K-pop's rising contenders.

Building on that momentum, the group is now back with a new album powered by youthful energy and self-produced tracks, setting the stage for a sizzling summer.

Composed of Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju and Donghyeon, KickFlip debuted on Jan. 20 under JYP, stepping onto the scene to carry forward the label's legacy of idol groups like Stray Kids, ITZY and NMIXX.

Except for leader Kyehoon who recently entered his 20s, all KickFlip members are still in their teens. Staying true to their age, the group has gained attention for self-produced music that blends playful energy with a touch of mischievous charm.

Its appeal has translated to solid results. The group's debut album sold 270,000 copies in its first week, according to Circle Chart, marking a strong start for a rookie group.

"Looking back on the past four months, I've become even more certain that it was the right choice not to give up on the path I chose," Kyehoon, who gained early attention for spending nearly a decade as a trainee, said during a media showcase at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday.

Donghwa chimed in, thanking fans for their support. "As we wrapped up our debut promotions, the members kept saying, 'Let's repay the love from fans with great performances. Let's keep pushing forward.'"

And that latest step — both in their paths and in response to fan support — is new music.

The boy band is set to drop "Kick Out, Flip Now!" at 6 p.m. Monday, the band's latest work after just four months. According to the seven KickFlip members, the new album serves as "an imprint of KickFlip's identity."

"If our debut album showed who we are as a team, this one captures the direction of the music we want to pursue," said Donghyeon, the youngest member and a contributor to the title track.

"When I first heard the track, I thought it really suited us ... It was an honor to take part in the creative process. I think we're about to share a summer that's uniquely KickFlip."

The album's lead single "FREEZE" is a high-energy dance track built on a hybrid pop-punk foundation, fusing 1990s-style guitar riffs with modern hyperpop synths. In addition to Donghyeon's role in composing the track, members Kyehoon, Donghwa and Minje contributed lyrics.

Amaru also reflected on the song's school-inspired performance concept.

"Because I was training in Korea, I didn't get to attend school," he said. "Wearing a school uniform-style outfit for this performance made me feel like I'd gone back to being a student and that felt really nice."

With their new album released, KickFlip is already preparing for a busy summer. In August, the group will perform at major international festivals including Lollapalooza in Chicago and Summer Sonic Bangkok 2025 — big achievements for a group less than a year into its career.

"Lollapalooza features so many incredible artists. We're preparing with the determination to do our best. We hope this becomes a chance to share our music and story with more fans," Kyehoon said.

"I think we were invited because of our potential. We want to become a group known for unforgettable K-pop performances."

Donghyeon echoed the excitement. "Just being able to perform on stages like Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic is an honor in itself. We're putting all our passion into it."