5 Shocking Controversies That Defined Julie Kiss Of Life's 2025: Full Biography & Scandal Deep Dive

The year 2025 has been a whirlwind for Julie Han, the dynamic leader and main rapper of the K-pop girl group KISS OF LIFE (KIOF), cementing her status as one of the most talked-about idols in the industry. While the group, which also features members Natty, Belle, and Haneul, continues to push boundaries with their bold, hip-hop-influenced sound, Julie has unfortunately found herself at the center of multiple high-profile controversies that have dominated K-pop headlines. This deep dive, current as of December 11, 2025, explores her complete biography and dissects the major events—from a massive cultural appropriation scandal to health setbacks—that have defined her journey this year.

Julie’s unique background as a South Korean-American artist, having been born in Hawaii and moving to Korea at the age of 13, often informs her style and music. However, this blend of cultures became the unexpected flashpoint for the most significant backlash the group has faced since their debut under S2 Entertainment. Understanding the context of these events is crucial to grasping the current landscape of KISS OF LIFE's career and Julie's role within it.

Julie (KISS OF LIFE) Complete Profile and Biography

Julie Han (쥴리한) is the charismatic leader and main rapper of the four-member girl group KISS OF LIFE (KIOF). Known for her powerful stage presence and fluent English, she is considered a key "all-rounder" who helps bridge the group's international appeal.

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• Stage Name: Julie (쥴리)
• Full Name: Julie Han (쥴리한)
• Position: Leader, Main Rapper
• Birthdate: March 29, 2000 (Age 25 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
• Nationality: South Korean-American
• Agency: S2 Entertainment
• Group: KISS OF LIFE (KIOF)
• Training Period: Approximately 5–6 years, including time at The Black Label.
• Family: Parents (ethnically Korean), Older Brother (Joseph Han).
• Notable Facts: She moved to South Korea when she was 13. She is fluent in both English and Korean.

The 5 Biggest Controversies & Challenges Facing Julie in 2025

The year 2025 was marked by both professional milestones, such as the release of the single "Sticky (Japanese Ver.)" and the track "Lips Hips Kiss," and intense public scrutiny. For Julie, the intense focus led to multiple apologies and a temporary halt to her performance schedule.

1. The Cultural Appropriation Birthday Live Scandal

The most significant controversy of 2025 erupted in April, following a live broadcast celebrating Julie’s 25th birthday. The group, including Natty, Belle, and Haneul, hosted a party themed as "old-school hip-hop."

The issue quickly escalated as the theme and the members' styling were widely criticized by international fans as culturally insensitive and an act of cultural appropriation. The backlash was massive, with many netizens expressing outrage that a group deeply influenced by hip-hop culture would fail to properly respect its origins.

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S2 Entertainment and the members, including Julie, issued a public and formal apology shortly after, acknowledging their "careless actions" and promising to be more mindful of cultural sensitivities in the future. The incident created a major internal crisis for the rookie group, overshadowing their musical output at the time.

2. The Resurfaced N-Word Video and Official Apology

In the wake of the cultural appropriation scandal, a much older video of Julie resurfaced online. The clip showed her singing the original lyrics of a cover song that included a racial slur (the N-word).

The timing of the video's re-emergence exacerbated the existing backlash. Julie took immediate action, issuing a separate, personal apology. She expressed deep regret for her "careless actions" and "lack of attention" when singing the lyrics, stating that she fully understood the gravity and harm of the word. This second controversy further fueled the narrative of the group’s perceived insensitivity.

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3. Injury and Absence from the 2025 World Tour

Amidst the intense media scrutiny, Julie faced a physical challenge. Reports circulated that she would not be participating in the "2025 KISS OF LIFE 1st WORLD" tour. This news was a significant blow to fans, as Julie is a core performer and the group's leader.

While S2 Entertainment did not disclose specific details, the consensus among fans was that she was sidelined due to a recent injury, requiring rest and recovery. This health setback meant the other members—Natty, Belle, and Haneul—had to perform the "Midas Touch" and "Shhh" stages as a trio for a portion of the tour, placing extra pressure on the remaining members.

4. Allegations of an Internal "Diss Track"

A bizarre controversy surfaced when a snippet of what was alleged to be a new track by KISS OF LIFE was interpreted by some netizens as a "diss track" aimed at critics or other industry figures. This speculation arose during a period of intense public criticism following the cultural appropriation incident.

The rumor suggested the group was responding to the hate and boycott attempts they were facing. However, KIOF fans quickly mobilized to defend the group, arguing that the song snippet was either taken out of context or predated the recent controversies. The situation highlighted the high-tension environment surrounding the group, where every piece of content was being scrutinized for hidden meaning.

5. Navigating the "Rookie Monster" Pressure

While not a scandal in the traditional sense, the immense pressure of being labeled "Rookie Monsters" added to Julie's challenges in 2025. Since their 2023 debut, KISS OF LIFE has been praised for their self-produced, unapologetic style, with tracks like "Sugarcoat" and "Igloo" gaining viral traction.

This label comes with the expectation of perfection and continuous growth. Julie, as the leader, carries a heavy burden of steering the group through both creative development and public relations crises. The multiple apologies and the need to maintain a strong image while dealing with personal health issues demonstrate the immense mental and professional toll of navigating the highly competitive and unforgiving K-pop industry spotlight.

Julie's Future: A Path Forward for KISS OF LIFE

Despite the turbulent year, Julie remains a central figure in KISS OF LIFE's identity. Her resilience and the group's commitment to releasing high-quality music—evidenced by the strong reception to their recent work—suggest a strong path forward.

The controversies of 2025, particularly the cultural appropriation and the N-word incident, serve as a stark reminder of the unique challenges faced by K-pop idols with Western backgrounds. Moving forward, Julie Han and S2 Entertainment will undoubtedly be more cautious, focusing on transparency and cultural education to rebuild public trust and allow the group's musical talent to shine without distraction.

Fans, known as KISSY, continue to rally behind Julie and the other members, Natty, Belle, and Haneul, anticipating her full return to the stage and the group's next major comeback. The lessons learned in 2025 will define KIOF’s narrative as they transition from "Rookie Monsters" to established global artists.