KickFlip, a seven-member rookie boy band under JYP Entertainment, performs during a press showcase at the YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap

K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment has added a new act to its boy band roster: KickFlip, a group set to follow in the footsteps of its senior heavyweights 2PM and Stray Kids.

Formed through the 2021 audition program "LOUD" and polished over three years of intense training, KickFlip represents JYP's latest venture into the boy band scene. The group's debut was previously teased at the 2024 MAMA Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where JYP made a splash by unveiling the septet's name.

Monday marked the official debut of this much-anticipated boy group — with members Kyehoon, Amaru, Donghwa, Juwang, Minje, Keiju and Donghyeon entering the spotlight with the release of their first mini-album, "Flip it, Kick it!"

Each member of KickFlip has spent at least three years honing their craft as trainees, with some enduring even longer. Group leader Kyehoon, for instance, has been training at JYP since 2016, a whopping nine years after entering JYP through an open audition.

"I had the opportunity to train intensively and reflect deeply over those long years," Kyehoon said during a press showcase held Monday at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District.

Members of KickFlip, a new boy band under JYP Entertainment, performs during a press showcase at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap

"That time was essential for me. Everything I've prepared over the years, I plan to reveal step by step following this debut."

The group's debut mini-album features a total of six tracks, including the lead single "Mama Said" and the already popular prereleased track, "Umm Great."

Offering a quick glimpse into the group's potential ahead of its debut, "Umm Great" gained traction quickly after its music video release, climbing to the ninth spot on YouTube's worldwide trending music video chart and reaching third on Korea's trending videos chart.

The members explained that "Mama Said" delivers an equally energetic and rebellious anthem about following one's own path despite criticism. Adding authenticity to the track, member Amaru contributed to the lyrics.

"It's an honor to have my name in the songwriting credits so soon after debuting," Amaru said. "I'm grateful to the company for giving me the chance to collaborate with talented lyricists."

K-pop boy band KickFlip performs during a press showcase at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap

Although KickFlip's debut comes at a time when the industry is already overpopulated with talent, the members remained undeterred, expressing their aspirations to follow in the footsteps of their senior labelmates, Stray Kids.

"Our role model as a group is Stray Kids. We're working hard to study composition and songwriting to emulate them," Donghwa said. "We want to be artists who leave our mark on many songs and share our thoughts through music, just like they do."

Juwang recalled advice from Stray Kids members Changbin and I.N. about the importance of teamwork.

"They told us that to last as a group for seven or even 10 years, teamwork is key," he said. "They told us there will be times that we come to argue, but it's fine as long as we fight with the intention of making up," he added, eliciting light chuckles from the audience.

KickFlip members, from left, Juwang, Donghwa, Amaru, Kyehoon, Keiju, Donghyeon and Minje pose during a press showcase at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap

When asked about their aspirations, the members shared a range of responses. While being dubbed "super rookies" is one of their goals, Donghwa offered a more unique answer.

"When people think of us, I want them to think of slime. Slime feels good to the touch and changes shape depending on how you play with it. Like slime, we have the ability to adapt and transform," Donghwa said. "We want to bring comfort to our fans while also showcasing our versatility."