JYP's New Boy Group KickFlip Takes Their First Step Towards K-Pop Stardom

On January 20, 2025, JYP Entertainment's rookie boy group KickFlip made their debut at a showcase held at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, celebrating the release of their first mini-album, 'Flip it, Kick it!'.

KickFlip, consisting of seven members—Gyeo-hun, Amaru, K-Ju, Dong-hyun, Dong-hwa, Joo-wang, and Min-je—was formed through the 2021 SBS survival audition program 'Loud'. The group's name, KickFlip, is inspired by a challenging skateboarding trick that involves spinning a board 360 degrees, symbolizing their determination to break free from conventions and showcase their unique talents as the next generation of K-Pop super rookies.

Particularly noteworthy is Gyeo-hun, who joined JYP after ranking first in the 2016 audition and has spent nearly a decade training as a trainee. He expressed his excitement, stating, "We have been waiting for this moment, and we are ready to show you the good vibes we have prepared together as seven. Finally, I can share this answer with you. Debuting feels so refreshing!" He emphasized the importance of their long training period, saying it allowed them to practice intensely and reflect deeply.

The members shared their joy about performing together, stating, "We are thrilled and grateful to be able to perform our song on stage. Just being able to debut under JYP is a source of pride for us. We will remain true to our roots and aim to spread positive and bright energy as a team."

KickFlip's mini-album 'Flip it, Kick it!' embodies their ambition to 'turn the world upside down and kick away challenges'. Gyeo-hun, Amaru, Dong-hwa, and Min-je contributed to the lyrics of the title track and other songs, showcasing their musical abilities. Additionally, JYP's senior artist Young K from DAY6 wrote the lyrics for the third track, 'WARRIORS'.

Regarding their collaboration with Young K, the group expressed their gratitude, saying, "It was an honor to work with Young K. He advised us that a team with a free-spirited maknae (youngest member) tends to last longer. We already take good care of our maknae and have a fun team atmosphere, so we hope to maintain this vibe."

They also received advice from their labelmates Stray Kids' I.N and Changbin, who emphasized the importance of teamwork for longevity in a group. "They told us that even if there are conflicts, we should resolve them with a mindset of reconciliation to ensure the team lasts," they added.

Producer Park Jin-young praised their preparation process, stating that they have songs that could set trends in the K-Pop scene, which the group found to be an honor.

KickFlip's debut album has already surpassed 300,000 pre-orders, proving their popularity. Dong-hwa expressed his gratitude, saying, "We were already thankful just to release an album, but hearing about the 300,000 pre-orders made us realize we need to work even harder to show you a great image. We truly did not expect this. Please continue to support us!"

The title track 'Mama Said (뭐가 되려고?)' humorously conveys the message of ignoring mundane nagging and following one's own path. The refreshing lyrics provide listeners with a sense of liberation from unwanted advice.

The members believe the title track fits them perfectly, with Amaru stating, "It was an honor to write lyrics among such talented writers. I am grateful for this opportunity and will continue to work hard in songwriting and composing, so please keep an eye on us."

When asked about their strengths, the members highlighted their teamwork, saying, "We have a friendly relationship, and we enjoy playing and joking with each other, which enhances our teamwork. We are full of energy and positivity."

They cited Stray Kids as their role models, expressing their desire to participate in many songs and share their thoughts with a wide audience, just like their seniors.

In conclusion, KickFlip shared their aspirations, stating, "We want to become K-Pop super rookies. We aim to present ourselves in a way that makes that title come to mind. Looking ahead five or ten years, our goal is to remain as a team that brings joy and positive influence for a long time. Our longevity as a group is a key objective."