KickFlip 'My First Kick': Eye-Poppin' and Their First All-Adult Comeback
KickFlip's 'My First Kick' marks their first comeback as an all-adult group. With 'Eye-Poppin'' leading seven self-produced tracks, the JYP rookies are stepping out of their rookie phase.
KickFlip have officially entered their adult era. On April 6, 2026, the JYP Entertainment seven-member boy group released "My First Kick," their fourth mini album and their first comeback since all members became legal adults. The youngest, Donghyeon, recently crossed that threshold. The oldest, Kyehoon, is now firmly in his early twenties. The "rookie" label still technically applies, but everything about this release suggests a group ready to grow beyond it.
"My First Kick" is a statement of independence as much as musical evolution. The seven-track album features songwriting and composition credits from members across every song. Kyehoon, the leader, co-wrote and composed the hyper-punk title track "Eye-Poppin'." Donghyeon composed the pre-release single "Twenty." Donghwa and Minje contributed lyrics to "Stup!d" and "Scroll" respectively. This is not manufactured idol product. This is young artists figuring out who they are and expressing it directly.
The timing matters. KickFlip debuted in January 2025 with "Flip it, Kick it!" β barely a year ago. In that short span, they have completed a 12-show fan concert tour across five cities, appeared at Lollapalooza Chicago, won their first music show, and sold over 400,000 copies of their previous album in its first week. The rookie energy that defined their early months is now being channeled into something more deliberate.
Experience KickFlip with real-time synced lyrics
Lyrical shows every word as it plays β in Korean, romanized, and perfectly in sync.
The Eye-Poppin' Concept: Flirting as Self-Expression
The title track "Eye-Poppin'" (λμ κ±°μ¬λ¦¬κ³ μΆμ΄) translates roughly to "I want to stand out in your eyes." The Korean title carries connotations of being noticed, of drawing attention, of making yourself visible to someone whose opinion matters. It is a flirting song, but not a shallow one.
Kyehoon explained the dual meaning in promotional interviews. "It may come across as lighthearted flirting on the surface, but behind that is our story that reflects our wish to become more visible to the public." The personal and professional blur together β wanting to be seen by a crush and wanting to be seen by the world are not entirely different impulses.
The sound matches this energy. "Eye-Poppin'" is described as hyper-punk dance β aggressive, playful, slightly chaotic. It does not sound like a safe comeback single designed to offend no one. It sounds like young men testing boundaries, pushing volume levels, and enjoying the freedom to be loud.
This confidence is new. KickFlip's earlier releases had the polished sheen typical of JYP debuts β professional, competent, slightly anonymous. "My First Kick" keeps the professionalism but adds personality. You can hear who these people are becoming.
Hear this live in Lyrical:
Keep your eyes on me, don't stop. I wanna be eye-poppin' to you.
Perfectly synced, word by word, as the song plays. Open Lyrical
The Full Tracklist: Seven Songs, Seven Stories
"My First Kick" is structured as a journey through early adulthood. The seven tracks trace a narrative arc from brash confidence to reflective uncertainty and back to determined optimism.
"Eye-Poppin'" opens with maximum energy. The hyper-punk production establishes immediately that this is not a gentle transition into maturity. It is a declaration.
"Twenty" pulls back. Released as a pre-release single, this track features Donghyeon's composition and captures the specific anxiety of turning twenty β legally adult, technically grown, but still figuring out what any of it means.
"Stup!d" embraces the messiness. Co-written by Donghwa, the song acknowledges bad decisions and failed attempts without apologizing for them. The exclamation point in the title is doing heavy lifting.
"Backward" and "Scroll" explore digital-age relationships β the temptation to look back at old conversations, the endless scrolling through someone else's curated life. Minje's co-writing on "Scroll" adds personal specificity to universal experience.
"Roar" returns to volume and confidence. After the introspective middle tracks, this is a reminder that uncertainty does not mean weakness.
"My Direction" closes with forward motion. The album ends not with resolution but with commitment β choosing a path and walking it, even if the destination remains unclear.
Missing One: Amaru's Hiatus
The six members promoting "My First Kick" are Kyehoon, Juwang, Donghyeon, Donghwa, Minjae, and Minje. Missing is Amaru, who has been on hiatus since September 2025 due to health reasons.
The group's handling of Amaru's absence has been careful and consistent. They acknowledge the empty space without making it the story. During the "From KickFlip, To WeFlip" fan concert tour, the six performing members regularly sent messages of support to their absent brother. The choreography for "My First Kick" performances leaves visual space where Amaru would stand.
This is the reality of idol life in 2026. Mental health awareness has improved, and companies are (slowly) learning that pushing injured members back on stage helps no one. But the empty spot remains visible. Fans notice. The group feels incomplete, even as the six present members give everything they have.
When Amaru returns is unknown. Whether he returns is, painfully, also unknown. For now, KickFlip moves forward as six, carrying the seventh in spirit.
The All-Adult Era: What Changes Now
KickFlip's first all-adult comeback is more symbolic than practical. Korean age calculation means most members were already legal adults by international standards. But crossing the threshold collectively matters for group dynamics.
They can now vote. They can live alone without guardian permission. They can enter contracts independently. They can, in theory, make their own decisions about their careers without parental oversight.
In practice, JYP Entertainment still controls their schedules, their image, and their creative output. The idol system does not grant genuine independence easily. But the psychological shift is real. Kyehoon captured this in his promotional quote: "With all of us just entering our early twenties, we want to express the honest emotions we're feeling right now. Our freshness, and our willingness to keep trying even if we fail, that's who we are."
Donghyeon, the youngest, added his own perspective: "Even from my perspective, I think we've all become a little cooler and more mature."
This is the promise of "My First Kick" β not perfected adulthood, but honest early-twenties uncertainty expressed through music that matches their energy.
JYP's Boy Group Legacy
KickFlip operates in the shadow of giants. JYP Entertainment has produced some of K-pop's most successful boy groups β 2PM, GOT7, Stray Kids, and of course the global phenomenon that is BTS's labelmate competition.
The pressure is real. Every KickFlip release is measured against this legacy. Every music show appearance invites comparison to Stray Kids' early dominance. Every international appearance raises questions about whether they can replicate the global breakthrough that has defined JYP's most successful acts.
"My First Kick" suggests a different path. Rather than chasing the explosive growth that characterized Stray Kids' rise, KickFlip seem focused on sustainable development. The member involvement in songwriting. The consistent thematic focus on "firsts" and growing up. The gradual expansion from domestic to international stages.
They may never reach the heights of their label's biggest successes. But they are building something that could last β a discography that reflects genuine artistic growth, a fanbase built on connection rather than hype, and identities that feel distinct rather than interchangeable.
More K-pop Comeback Coverage
- SEVENTEEN Lyrics Romanized Guide
- BTS Lyrics Hub: All Coverage in One Place
- Stray Kids Lyrics Romanized Guide
- TXT Lyrics Romanized Guide
- ATEEZ Lyrics Romanized Guide
- NCT Lyrics Romanized Guide
- NewJeans Lyrics Romanized Guide
- IVE Lyrics Romanized Guide
Sing Along to Eye-Poppin' with Lyrical
KickFlip's "Eye-Poppin'" is designed for singalongs. The chorus is repetitive and catchy. The Korean lyrics are accessible even for non-speakers. The energy demands participation.
Lyrical makes this easy. The app displays Korean lyrics, romanization, and English translation in perfect sync as the song plays. You can follow "I want to stand out in your eyes" line by line, learning the pronunciation as you go. You can catch the wordplay in "Stup!d" that romanization reveals. You can understand what "Twenty" is actually about.
For a group like KickFlip β still building their international fanbase, still introducing themselves to the world β lyric accessibility matters. Every fan who can sing along is a fan more likely to stay.
Download Lyrical and experience "My First Kick" with full lyric visibility. Follow Kyehoon's rap, sing Donghyeon's chorus, and catch every moment of KickFlip's first all-adult comeback.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was KickFlip's "My First Kick" released?
April 6, 2026 at 6 PM KST. The album dropped alongside a music video for "Eye-Poppin'" and promotional appearances on music shows.
Why is this called their "first all-adult comeback"?
All seven members are now legal adults. The youngest, Donghyeon, recently came of age. This is their first release since that milestone.
Where is Amaru?
Amaru has been on hiatus since September 2025 due to health reasons. He did not participate in "My First Kick" promotions. The group continues as six members until his return.
Did KickFlip write their own songs?
Yes. Members are credited across all seven tracks. Kyehoon co-wrote and composed "Eye-Poppin'." Donghyeon composed "Twenty." Donghwa and Minje contributed lyrics to other tracks.
What does "Eye-Poppin'" mean?
The Korean title λμ κ±°μ¬λ¦¬κ³ μΆμ΄ translates to "I want to stand out in your eyes" β wanting to be noticed, to draw attention, to make yourself visible to someone important.
*KickFlip released "My First Kick" on April 6, 2026, marking their first all-adult comeback. The 7-track mini album features "Eye-Poppin'" and extensive member involvement in songwriting and composition.*