KickFlip leans into first-love pop-punk on 'My First Flip'

K-pop boy band KickFlip members pose during a media showcase for the band's new album at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. One member, Amaru, was absent after temporarily suspending activities due to anxiety symptoms. Yonhap

By Pyo Kyung-min

• Published Sep 22, 2025 4:12 PM KST

JYP boy band continues promotion despite Amaru's hiatus

K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment's newest boy band KickFlip released its third mini album "My First Flip," Monday, extending the group's rapid global rise by bottling the butterflies and jitters of first love.

The record and its lead single "My First Love Song" drops as the group presses ahead with only six members, as Amaru temporarily suspended activities just days earlier due to anxiety symptoms.

Despite the sudden lineup change, the group projected confidence at their Monday morning showcase at Seoul's YES24 Live Hall, delivering the same high-energy spirit they displayed when they met The Korea Times backstage at Lollapalooza Chicago in August.

"It's such a shame not being able to promote with Amaru," Donghyeon said. "We and the fans are waiting for him to come back healthy. We'll fill the void with as much energy as we can."

That energy carries into "My First Love Song," a new pop-punk track built on punchy synths and guitar riffs that frame the nerve-racking rush of a romantic confession.

"Through this song's performance, I wanted to share the thrill of first love with everyone," Juwang said, adding that the team aimed for "a happy vibe where everyone smiles together."

Keiju recalled hearing the track for the first time, saying, "I felt like I became the protagonist of a coming-of-age manga. It's a song you can really get immersed in."

Lyrically, KickFlip pivots from its earlier, more mischievous tone to something a shade more reflective.

"It's a love song, unlike our first and second albums," said Donghyeon, who helped pen the title track. "Thinking about fans helped me write quickly. I imagined confessing to someone under a sunset sky."

"Our earlier songs were playful, but this one shows a more mature side of students," Kyehoon added.

"My First Flip" includes seven tracks: "My First Love Song," "Band-Aid," "CRUSH," "Tiki-Taka," "Gas On It," "404: Not Found" and "Secret Nightmare." All members hold credits across the album, another part of the group's steady push into self-production.

"I wrote the title track with amazing producers, learning so much along the way," Donghyeon said. "I was so excited, I wanted to play it for the members right away, and their reactions made me really happy."

Minje, who co-composed "Band-Aid," called the experience "a 10 out of 10" and "a chance to step closer to the world of music."

Inside the agency, the message has been to think long term.

"Producer Park Jin-young told us that while this album is important, what matters more is understanding our strengths and continuing to grow," Kyehoon said.

Since debuting in January with "Flip it, Kick it!," KickFlip's resume widened quickly — Lollapalooza Chicago, Summer Sonic 2025 and the TME Live International Music Awards have all helped sharpen the band's stagecraft and expand its reach.

"Performing at different festivals gave us the chance to connect with fans from many countries," Minje said. "That communication helped us enjoy our stages even more. That's the biggest growth we've achieved."

"I'm so happy that all of us are credited on this album. Achieving that goal already feels rewarding," said Donghwa.

Kyehoon was more direct, saying, "Our goal this time is to win No. 1 on a music show. Our strength is our live performance skills and we want to show that through energetic stages."