Born to Be XX
Digital cover
EP by
Kiss of Life
ReleasedNovember 8, 2023 (2023-11-08)
Genre
Length21:12
LabelS2
Kiss of Life chronology
Kiss of Life
(2023)		 Born to Be XX
(2023)
Singles from Born to Be XX
  1. "Bad News"
    Released: November 8, 2023
  2. "Nobody Knows"
    Released: November 8, 2023

Born to Be XX is the second extended play (EP) by South Korean girl group Kiss of Life. It was released on November 8, 2023, through S2 Entertainment. The EP contains seven tracks, including the lead singles "Bad News" and "Nobody Knows".[1]

Title

Speaking about the album's name, member Belle explained that the two ''X" symbols in the album's name signify two different concepts: special things that are not welcomed [by others] and the group's message to reject prejudice, misunderstandings and stereotypes.[2]

Background

On September 28, 2023, S2 Entertainment released a poster indicating that Kiss of Life would make their comeback in November.[3][4] On October 13, 2023, the group revealed that they would make a comeback on November 8, 2023, by posting a teaser.[5][6]

Promotion

On October 16, 2023, a poster was released featuring the members mugshots with the caption 'Who's the villain'.[7] On October 17, the group released the tracklist of the album.[8] From October 19 to 25 the group released various concept photos.[9][10] On October 27, a trailer for the EP was released.[11] On October 30, the group released the sneak peek of the tracks.[12]

Composition

The lead single "Bad News" is a groovy mid-tempo that blends elements of pop, hip-hop, and rock, which makes this feel like the most natural evolution of the burgeoning band's sound,[13] whereas "Nobody Knows" is a slick, upbeat slice of R&B influenced by the 1970s.[13][14] "TTG" was described as a R&B track which reminds music from 2000s,[15] and "Gentleman" is a song which has a unique sound with Afro rhythm, reggae patterns, and soul gospel.[15] "Says It" is a track dedicated to fans written by member Belle captures the emotions of unrequited love.[15]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NME[13]

Carmen Chin writing for NME described the extended play as "as a diamond in the rough" and is a sophomore album, which certainly has some gigantic shoes to fill after their debut which exceeds all expectations.[13] Kim Do-heon of Zenerate ranked the album at number 6 for their list of The 15 Best K-pop Albums of 2023.[16]

Track listing

Born to Be XX track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Bad News"
  • Rick Bridges
  • Jonghan
  • PAPRIKAA
  • Strawberrybananaclub
  • Strawberrybananaclub
  • Jonghan
  • Rick Bridges
Strawberrybananaclub2:40
2."Nobody Knows"
  • Jo Yunkyung
  • Julie
  • Rick Bridges
  • PAPRIKAA
  • Im Jungwoo
  • Adora
  • VON MENTZER
PAPRIKAA3:15
3."My 808"
  • Mia (153/Joombas)
  • Rick Bridges
  • Lee Hyeyum (Jamfactory)
  • Gemma
  • Belle
  • Natty
  • G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze
  • Tricia Battani
  • TMM
  • G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze
  • Tricia Battani
2:39
4."TTG"
  • Ondine
  • Rick Bridges
  • BYMORE
  • BYMORE
  • Ondine
  • ADORA
  • Rick Bridges
BYMORE3:29
5."Gentleman"Jo Yunkyung
Troelsen2:58
6."Says It"
  • Belle,
  • Rick Bridges
  • clovd (WSHL:ST),
  • Kwon Deokgeun (WSHL:ST)
  • Young Chance
  • Belle
  • Eunsol
  • clovd (WSHL:ST),
  • Kwon Deokgeun (WSHL:ST)
3:31
7."Bad News" (English version)
  • Julie
  • Rick Bridges
  • Jonghan
  • PAPRIKAA
  • Strawberrybananaclub
  • Strawberrybananaclub
  • Jonghan
  • Rick Bridges
Strawberrybananaclub2:40
Total length:21:12

Charts

Release history

Release history and formats for Born to Be XX
Region Date Format Label
South Korea November, 2023 CD S2
Various

References

  1. ↑ "키스오브라이프, 강렬한 신곡 '배드 뉴스'로 컴백". 스타투데이 (in Korean). 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  2. ↑ "[SHOWCASE] Kiss of Life shows it was 'Born to be XX' in latest EP". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  3. ↑ "키스오브라이프 컴백 확정, 11월 신보 'Born to be XX' 발매…커밍순 이미지 공개 - 열린세상 열린방송 MBN". star.mbn.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  4. ↑ Ziwei, Puah (2023-09-28). "KISS OF LIFE announce new mini-album, 'Born to Be XX'". NME. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  5. ↑ "Kiss of Life to drop second EP 'Born to be XX' in November". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  6. ↑ 기자, 이승록. "키스오브라이프 컴백한다…"Born to be XX"". 마이데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  7. ↑ "키스오브라이프, 빌런으로 변신?…컴백 기대감 ↑". 한국경제 (in Korean). 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  8. ↑ "키스오브라이프, 더블 타이틀로 컴백…"이중적 관점 담아"". www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  9. ↑ "키스오브라이프, 힙한 바이브의 빌런으로 완벽 변신 - 열린세상 열린방송 MBN". star.mbn.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  10. ↑ 기사입력: 2023-10-23 15:40. "키스오브라이프, 'Born to be XX' 단체 콘셉트 포토 속 독보적 바이브 '시선 집중'". 비즈엔터. Retrieved 2023-12-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ "키스오브라이프, 빌런으로 돌아온다". www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  12. ↑ 기사입력: 2023-10-30 09:40. "KISS OF LIFE(키스오브라이프), 벨ㆍ쥴리ㆍ나띠 참여 'Born to be XX' 샘플러 영상 공개". 비즈엔터. Retrieved 2023-12-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. 1 2 3 4 Chin, Carmen (2023-11-24). "KISS OF LIFE – 'Born to Be XX': a diamond in the rough". NME. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  14. ↑ 기자, 손봉석 (2023-11-16). "KISS OF LIFE(키스오브라이프) 'Nobody Knows', 빌런이 된 이유 밝혀져". sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  15. 1 2 3 조선일보 (2023-11-07). "키스오브라이프, 완성형 아이돌의 귀환..신곡 'Bad News'로 글로벌 팬심 저격". 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  16. ↑ Kim, Do-heon (December 28, 2023). [2023년 결산] 올해의 케이팝 30 [[2023 Closing] 30 K-Pop of the Year]. Zenerate (in Korean). Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Circle Album Chart – Week 50, 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Circle Album Chart – December 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 21, 2023.
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