JYP Entertainment's (hereafter JYP) next-generation boy group KickFlip has showcased its global momentum by reaching the top of domestic and international charts with their debut work.
KickFlip debuted on January 20 with their first mini album ‘Flip it, Kick it!’ and the title track ‘Mama Said (What Are You Going to Be?)’. Prior to their official debut, the album garnered attention by surpassing 300,000 pre-orders as of 15 days before the release. Notably, according to Hanteo Chart, they sold 243,949 copies on the first day of their debut, and on January 20, they claimed the number one spot on both Hanteo Chart and Circle Chart's daily album charts.
The title track ‘Mama Said (What Are You Going to Be?)’ reached the top of the Korean chart on the Chinese music platform Kugou Music as of January 21. Additionally, other tracks from the album charted in the top 10, with ‘Yeah, Okay’ at 4th, ‘Knock Knock’ at 6th, ‘WARRIORS’ at 7th, ‘See You Tomorrow’ at 8th, and ‘Like A Monster’ at 9th.
The album ‘Flip it, Kick it!’ announcing the arrival of the ‘K-Pop Super Rookie’ has received positive reviews for all six tracks. On January 20, comments from the album's creators shared on KickFlip's official Instagram included, “The members really put their passion and sincerity into completing this song, and I’m really proud of the result” (Tommy Park), “When I heard the version sung by the members, I thought they really nailed it” (Young K), and “You must listen to Minje's voice in the bridge part of ‘Like A Monster’” (Jung Ho-hyun (e.one)), showcasing the enthusiasm that KickFlip has exuded.
As of the morning of January 22, the music video for the title track ‘Mama Said (What Are You Going to Be?)’ surpassed 5.97 million views on YouTube. In response, JYP opened behind-the-scenes cuts of the debut song's music video. Captured on set were members Gye-hun, Amaru, Dong-hwa, Joo-wang, Min-je, K-Joo, and Dong-hyun, focusing on their performance and showcasing their intense chemistry in group shots. The seven members, packed with a free vibe and dynamic energy, are expected to further attract global fans through their debut activities.
The music video for ‘Mama Said (What Are You Going to Be?)’ visualizes the message of “I don’t care about the usual nagging, I’m going my own way.” Scenes of throwing a hamburger with a big swing or creating birds from garden trees convey a sense of freshness as they act without concern. The lively rhythm and energetic sound, combined with their relaxed performance, invite repeated listening.
Meanwhile, the group name ‘KickFlip’ refers to a high-level technical term for rotating a board 360 degrees with the toes. Gye-hun, Amaru, Dong-hwa, Joo-wang, Min-je, K-Joo, and Dong-hyun express their ambitious desire to break free from the existing norms and make a new impact, thereby growing their status as ‘K-Pop Super Rookies’.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
