Some have defended the group.
Koreaboo
5 minutes ago
On July 24, the first day of the 2026 WATERBOMB Seoul took place, kicking off the hottest and wettest music festival.
| WATERBOMB
Numerous performers will and have already taken the stage, including several K-Pop groups. One such group was KISS OF LIFE, who are WATERBOMB alumni.
KISS OF LIFE | @KISSOFLIFE_S2/X
The group took the stage, performing many of their hits, perfect for summertime. The group also performed a new track titled “Sweat,” which has yet to be released.
260724 워터밤
스웻 하늘 Focus#KISSOFLIFE #키스오브라이프#하늘 #HANEUL pic.twitter.com/ah9FUMZTMM
— 🤖🌲 (@_k1Of_) July 24, 2026
260624 kiss of life waterbomb
i’m super happy to be here trust me.#KISSOFLIFE #키스오브라이프 #KIOF #키오프 #JULIE #쥴리 pic.twitter.com/nfFOYcOriw
— christine (@4kiofz) July 24, 2026
260724 워터밤
Sweat 쥴리 직캠#쥴리 #JULIE #키스오브라이프 #KISSOFLIFE pic.twitter.com/LACFnuufmY
— 그루 (@groo_329) July 24, 2026
During one of their performances, Natty and Belle faced each other before sharing a short kiss, which was recorded from multiple angles.
키스잇 파트에서 진짜 키스한 벨띠 진짜 ㅁㅇ?..#키스오브라이프 #나띠 #벨 pic.twitter.com/WGZgTCgpZJ
— 시안 (@Haneul_sian) July 24, 2026
BELLTY KISSING 💋 #natty #belle #kiof #kissoflife #나띠 #벨 #WATERBOMB pic.twitter.com/sul5u0iJEk
— fraiz 🍓 (@aespadollz) July 24, 2026
they did kiss btw… leaving the sound on for this one #WATERBOMBSEOUL #워터밤서울#KISSOFLIFE #KIOF #NATTY #BELLE #키스오브라이프 #키오프 #나띠 #벨 pic.twitter.com/4dYgZrhFWR
— 별⭐️ (@soojiyeol) July 24, 2026
According to fans, after the event ended, the members explained that it was accidental, with Belle saying she misread the distance between the two.
#KISSOFLIFE Natty and Belle’s bubble messages after the kiss:
💋: Explain the kiss with Belle, PLEASE.
💜: There’s nothing to explain… Hyewon did it…
💜: I was so surprised…
💋: Explain the kiss with TTY, PLEASE.
🩷: It got so hard that I completely misjudged the… https://t.co/CmUbhFyqXq
— KISS OF LIFE Charts (@KIOFStats) July 24, 2026
Once the moment made its way online, there were a variety of reactions, including excitement from fans, including making puns of their name.
because their name is kiss of life they’re allowed to kiss https://t.co/CCFmzbWJn8
— SHE’S HWI 💦 (@byeunhwi) July 24, 2026
They aren’t called KISS of life for no reason 😭 https://t.co/cmLeICpPoF
— WYNTER 🩷 (@_wynterszn) July 24, 2026
The kiss of the century#KISSOFLIFE #KIOFxWATERBOMB #KIOF_SWEAT https://t.co/Tle246mO1C
— ᡣ𐭩 (@kissshiie) July 24, 2026
However, there were some negative reactions, accusing the members of “queerbaiting” and attempting to regain fans after their previous controversies.
racist scandal so bad they resort to queer baiting https://t.co/vzwX5QfmZb
— bambi’s doormat 🍭 (@Fussmatte13) July 24, 2026
acting lesbian isn’t gonna save your careers btw.. https://t.co/zRgXIXufbM
— kwartz 🍀 | flop rehab era (@kw4rt2crystal) July 24, 2026
they knew they were flopping and had to quickly queerbait- https://t.co/TJwDHvfyHG
— yvoni ꨄ︎ (@itzychella) July 24, 2026
Others shared their thoughts on the queerbaiting allegations, some expressing the belief that real people cannot queerbait, while also pushing against the assumption of sexuality.
qrts being insufferable. hey guys real people can’t queerbait. https://t.co/1MIT151G61
— ⁴ (@kissyville_) July 24, 2026
‘queerbaiting’ do you know these girls personally to assume they’re not queer? https://t.co/CCFmzbWJn8
— SHE’S HWI 💦 (@byeunhwi) July 24, 2026