Hugs & Kisses (song)
{{Multiple issues|
{{notability|1=Music|date=March 2025}}
{{No significant coverage|date=March 2025}}
}}
{{Short description|2025 song by Jisoo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Hugs & Kisses
| cover = Jisoo - Hugs & Kisses.jpeg
| caption = Promotional graphic
| border = yes
| type = song
| artist = Jisoo
| EP = Amortage
| A-side = Earthquake
| language = {{hlist|English}}
| released = {{start date|2025|02|14}}
| recorded =
| studio = * BK (Seoul)
- Wavy Baby West (Los Angeles)
| genre = {{hlist|Electropop|pop-rock|bubblegum pop}}
| length = 3:09
| label = * Blissoo
| writer = * Jisoo
- Jack Brady
- Jordan Roman
- Austin Wolfe
- Chloe Copeloff
| producer = * Blissoo
- The Wavys
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|lI-ocK5wWMQ|"Hugs & Kisses"}}|header=Audio video|type=song}}
}}
"Hugs & Kisses" is a song recorded by South Korean singer Jisoo. It is the fourth track on her debut extended play, Amortage (2025), which was released on February 14, 2025, through Blissoo and Warner Records. Blending elements of electropop, pop-rock, and bubblegum pop, the song conveys a woman's feelings of growth and resilience following a romantic disappointment. The track was written by Jisoo, Jack Brady, Jordan Roman, Austin Wolfe and Chloe Copeloff. Production was handled by Blissoo and The Wavys.
"Hugs & Kisses" peaked at number 43 on the Circle Download Chart in South Korea, and has charted in Singapore and New Zealand. Critics lauded the lyrics, production, and Jisoo's confident delivery, highlighting the song's vocally demanding structure and her expanded vocal range.
Background and release
Jisoo announced her departure from YG Entertainment for solo activities in December 2023 and established her own label named Blissoo in February 2024.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:블랙핑크 지수, 개인 레이블 설립 공식화 "새 시작 지켜봐달라"[전문]|trans-title=Blackpink Jisoo formalizes establishment of private label, "Please watch for a new beginning" [Full text]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003682657|via=Naver|publisher=Herald Pop|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Ji-hye|date=February 21, 2024|access-date=February 21, 2024|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221141856/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003682657|url-status=live}} On January 26, 2025, she revealed that she would be releasing her debut extended play Amortage on Valentine's Day.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/blackpink-jisoo-name-debut-solo-mini-album-amortage-release-date-1235884511/|title=Blackpink's Jisoo Reveals Name of Debut Solo Mini-Album|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|magazine=Billboard|date=January 27, 2025|access-date=January 27, 2025|archive-date=January 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128092943/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/blackpink-jisoo-name-debut-solo-mini-album-amortage-release-date-1235884511/|url-status=live}} She announced on January 28 that she had signed a global label deal with Warner Records for her solo music.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/blackpink-jisoo-signs-warner-records-solo-1236289199/|title=Blackpink's Jisoo Signs With Warner Records for Solo Releases|magazine=Variety|date=January 28, 2025|access-date=January 28, 2025|last=Garcia|first=Thania|archive-date=January 29, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129024917/https://variety.com/2025/music/news/blackpink-jisoo-signs-warner-records-solo-1236289199/|url-status=live}} On February 4, Jisoo unveiled the tracklist and credits for the EP, including the track "Hugs & Kisses".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/blackpink-jisoo-name-debut-solo-mini-album-amortage-release-date-1235884511/|title=Blackpink's Jisoo Reveals Tracklist for Debut Solo Mini-Album 'Amortage'|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|magazine=Billboard|date=February 3, 2025|access-date=February 3, 2025|archive-date=February 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203193346/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/blackpinks-jisoo-amortage-track-list-debut-solo-mini-album-1235891389/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'14일 컴백' 블랙핑크 지수, 타이틀곡은 'earthquake'…전곡 작사 참여|trans-title='14-day comeback' Blackpink Jisoo, title song is 'earthquake'... Participated in writing lyrics for all songs|url=https://www.joynews24.com/view/1809613|publisher=Joy News 24|language=ko|last=Jeong|first=Ji-won|date=February 4, 2025|access-date=February 4, 2025|archive-date=February 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215140953/https://www.joynews24.com/view/1809613|url-status=live}} On February 6, she released a concept poster for the track, which provided a hint with the phrase: "Funny you’re wanting me back."{{Cite web|script-title=ko:블랙핑크 지수 솔로 컴백 D-7..타이틀곡 스포 오픈|trans-title=Blackpink Jisoo Solo Comeback D-7..Title Song Spoiler Open|url=https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2025020707494914487|publisher=Star News Korea|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Seung-hoon|date=February 7, 2025|access-date=February 7, 2025|archive-date=February 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215141715/https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2025020707494914487|url-status=live}} "Hugs & Kisses" was released worldwide alongside the rest of the EP on February 14.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/jisoos-amortage-album-stream-1235902427/|title=JISOO's Debut Solo Mini-Album 'AMORTAGE' Is Here: Stream It Now|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|magazine=Billboard|date=February 14, 2025|access-date=February 14, 2025|archive-date=February 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214055137/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/jisoos-amortage-album-stream-1235902427/|url-status=live}}
Lyrics and production
"Hugs & Kisses" features a "classic pop-rock production" that conveys "a range of emotions" as Jisoo confronts an uncommitted lover.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/jisoo-amortage-review-every-song-ranked/|title=JISOO's Debut Solo Mini Album 'AMORTAGE': Every Song Ranked|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|magazine=Billboard|date=February 18, 2025|access-date=February 18, 2025|archive-date=February 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219020000/https://www.billboard.com/lists/jisoo-amortage-review-every-song-ranked/|url-status=live}} The song's lyrics have been interpreted to delve into themes of betrayal, liberation, self-empowerment, and overcoming a toxic romance.{{cite web|url=https://notjustok.com/lyrics/hugs-kisses-lyrics-by-jisoo/|title=Hugs & Kisses Lyrics by Jisoo|last=Taiwo|first=Olufunke|website=NotJustOk|date=February 16, 2025|access-date=March 6, 2025|archive-date=March 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306220754/https://notjustok.com/lyrics/hugs-kisses-lyrics-by-jisoo/|url-status=live}} While Jisoo considered performing the song in Korean, she felt the English lyrics were "well-crafted to capture the mood" and ultimately recorded the track in English. She "thoroughly analyze[d] the hidden meanings" to ensure that the lyrics’ essence was "well conveyed during the recording".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/jisoo-amortage-interview-blackpink-comeback|title=Jisoo Wants to "Show My Best Self" As a Solo Star|lang=en|author=Feney Nolan|magazine=Nylon|date=February 14, 2025|access-date=February 14, 2025|archive-date=February 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214214305/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/jisoo-amortage-interview-blackpink-comeback|url-status=live}} Selecting the song, Jisoo felt its lyrics and rhythm worked harmoniously to establish a clear tone, making it the ideal closing track and ensuring the message "came through in such a strong way."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-byAgnGz27I |title=JISOO's "Earthquake" Shakeup, Debut Solo Album 'AMORTAGE', BLACKPINK Reunion Tour |date=February 14, 2025 |last=Billboard |access-date=March 7, 2025 |via=YouTube |archive-date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250306223436/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-byAgnGz27I |url-status=live }}{{rp|4:10–4:25}}
Critical reception
Crystal Bell of NME praised "Hugs & Kisses" for bringing "bouncy energy to the mix" in the overall context of Amortage. Bell felt the song paired "agile wordplay with sticky synths" as Jisoo "wink[ed] at the classic tale of falling for a heartbreaker, brushing him off with a sharp miss me with that XO".{{Cite magazine |title=Jisoo – 'Amortage' review: playful, polished pop on her own terms |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/jisoo-amortage-review-blackpink-3837895 |last=Bell |first=Crystal |date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |magazine=NME|archive-date=February 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214064805/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/jisoo-amortage-review-blackpink-3837895|url-status=live}} Jeff Benjamin of Billboard named it the standout track on Amortage, commending Jisoo’s "ongoing evolution as a musician." He applauded its "pop-rock production" and "slightly haunting, distorted vocal sample," contrasting it with her previous work on Me. While that project leaned on instrumental-driven moments, Benjamin noted "Hugs & Kisses" as a shift, incorporating "a full, sass-packed chorus before the EP’s catchiest dance hook as a noticeably emotional Jisoo shouts throughout." He also praised Jisoo’s belt before the final chorus as a sign of her artistic growth and increased confidence as a performer. Thashine Selvakumaran, writing for theSun, described "Hugs & Kisses" as "flirty and fun" with a nostalgic 2000s pop feel. Though not musically groundbreaking, the outlet praised Jisoo’s "playful vocal delivery and infectious chorus" for providing a "light-hearted, carefree" conclusion to the EP.{{Cite magazine |title=Jisoo's Amortage hits right notes |url=https://thesun.my/style-life/jisoo-s-amortage-hits-right-notes-BG13737420 |last=Selvakumaran |first=Thashine |date=February 14, 2025 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |magazine=theSun|archive-date=March 6, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306230227/https://thesun.my/style-life/jisoo-s-amortage-hits-right-notes-BG13737420|url-status=live}} According to India Today, the song, characterized by its "upbeat tempos, lively brass elements, and rhythmic percussion," brought the EP to a vibrant conclusion, with Jisoo’s performance amplifying the message of joy and freedom.{{Cite magazine |title=Amortage review: Jisoo's album shakes things up like an 'earthquake' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/music/story/amortage-review-jisoos-album-shakes-things-up-like-an-earthquake-2681277-2025-02-17 |date=February 17, 2025 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |magazine=India Today|archive-date=March 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311181933/https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/music/story/amortage-review-jisoos-album-shakes-things-up-like-an-earthquake-2681277-2025-02-17|url-status=live}} In a less positive review, ScreenRant described "Hugs & Kisses" as "a bit more forgettable compared to the rest" of the songs on the EP and called it "a hesitant low point of an impressive, albeit short, solo project".{{Cite website |title=BLACKPINK Members' Recent Solo Projects, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/blackpink-members-solo-ranking/ |last=Rexrode |first=Martina |date=March 23, 2025 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=ScreenRant|archive-date=April 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414080445/https://screenrant.com/blackpink-members-solo-ranking/|url-status=live}}
Live performances
Jisoo performed the song on Lights, Love, Action!, a fanmeet tour spanning seven cities across Asia.{{Cite web|title=BLACKPINK's Jisoo announces 2025 'Lights, Love, Action!' Asia tour|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/blackpink-jisoo-2025-lights-love-action-tour-cities-dates-tickets-more-3834354|website=NME|last=Chin|first=Carmen|date=February 5, 2025|access-date=February 7, 2025|archive-date=February 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207144947/https://www.nme.com/news/music/blackpink-jisoo-2025-lights-love-action-tour-cities-dates-tickets-more-3834354|url-status=live}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Amortage.{{cite AV media notes|title=Amortage|author=Jisoo|year=2025|publisher=Blissoo/Warner Records|id=YP0568|type=liner notes}}
Recording
- Recorded at BK Studio (Seoul, South Korea) and Wavy Baby West Studio (Los Angeles, California)
- Mixed at Larrabee Studios (North Hollywood, California)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (Edgewater, New Jersey)
Personnel
{{div col}}
- Jisoo – vocals, songwriter
- Jack Brady – songwriter, recording engineer
- Jordan Roman – songwriter
- Austin Wolfe – songwriter
- Chloe Copeloff – songwriter
- Blissoo – producer
- The Wavys – producer
- Manny Marroquin – mix engineer
- Zach Pereyra – assistant mix engineer
- Anthony Vilchis – assistant mix engineer
- Trey Station – assistant mix engineer
- Chris Gehringer – mastering engineer
{{div col end}}
Charts
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Hugs & Kisses" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" | Various
| February 14, 2025 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | style="text-align:center" | {{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jisoo-earthquake-music-video-blackpink-1235267680/|title=Jisoo Explores Her Feelings in Explosive Video for 'Earthquake'|last=Zemler|first=Emily|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 14, 2025|access-date=February 14, 2025|archive-date=February 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215052040/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jisoo-earthquake-music-video-blackpink-1235267680/|url-status=live}} |
|---|