JYP Entertainment's rising boy band KickFlip has released their third mini album "My First Flip," marking a significant evolution in their musical direction as they explore the butterflies and excitement of first love. The seven-member group is currently promoting as a six-member unit after Amaru temporarily suspended his activities due to anxiety symptoms just days before the album's Monday release.
Despite the unexpected lineup change, the remaining members demonstrated unwavering confidence during their showcase at Seoul's YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District on Monday morning. The group maintained the same high-energy spirit they displayed when they previously met with The Korea Times backstage at Lollapalooza Chicago in August. "It's such a shame not being able to promote with Amaru," member Donghyeon expressed. "We and the fans are waiting for him to come back healthy. We'll fill the void with as much energy as we can."
The album's lead single "My First Love Song" represents a notable shift in KickFlip's musical identity, embracing a pop-punk sound built on punchy synthesizers and guitar riffs that perfectly capture the nerve-racking rush of making a romantic confession. "Through this song's performance, I wanted to share the thrill of first love with everyone," Juwang explained, emphasizing that the team aimed for "a happy vibe where everyone smiles together." Fellow member Keiju recalled his first impression of the track, 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, the new album shows KickFlip moving away from their earlier, more mischievous tone toward something more reflective and mature. "It's a love song, unlike our first and second albums," said Donghyeon, who co-wrote the title track. "Thinking about fans helped me write quickly. I imagined confessing to someone under a sunset sky." Kyehoon added that while "our earlier songs were playful, this one shows a more mature side of students," highlighting the group's artistic growth.
"My First Flip" features seven comprehensive tracks: "My First Love Song," "Band-Aid," "CRUSH," "Tiki-Taka," "Gas On It," "404: Not Found," and "Secret Nightmare." All members hold writing and production credits across the album, representing another significant step in the group's journey toward self-production. "I wrote the title track with amazing producers, learning so much along the way," Donghyeon shared. "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," described the creative experience as "a 10 out of 10" and "a chance to step closer to the world of music."
The guidance from JYP Entertainment has emphasized long-term artistic development over immediate commercial success. "Producer Park Jin-young told us that while this album is important, what matters more is understanding our strengths and continuing to grow," Kyehoon revealed, reflecting the company's strategic approach to artist development.
Since their January debut with "Flip it, Kick it!," KickFlip has rapidly expanded their international presence through high-profile performances at major festivals including Lollapalooza Chicago, Summer Sonic 2025, and the TME Live International Music Awards. These experiences have significantly enhanced their stagecraft and global reach. "Performing at different festivals gave us the chance to connect with fans from many countries," Minje observed. "That communication helped us enjoy our stages even more. That's the biggest growth we've achieved."
Looking ahead, the group has set ambitious goals for this promotional cycle. "I'm so happy that all of us are credited on this album. Achieving that goal already feels rewarding," Donghwa expressed with satisfaction. Kyehoon was more direct about their commercial aspirations, stating, "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." The group's confidence in their live performance abilities, honed through international festival appearances, positions them well for domestic music show competitions as they continue their rapid ascent in the competitive K-pop landscape.
