# Hugs & Kisses (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 her label 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. On January 26, 2025, she revealed that she would be releasing her debut extended play Amortage on Valentine's Day. She announced on January 28 that she had signed a global label deal with Warner Records for her solo music. On February 4, Jisoo unveiled the tracklist and credits for the EP, including the track "Hugs & Kisses". On February 6, she released a concept poster for the track, which provided a hint with the phrase: "Funny you’re wanting me back." "Hugs & Kisses" was released worldwide alongside the rest of the EP on February 14.

## Lyrics and production

"Hugs & Kisses" features a "classic pop-rock production" that conveys "a range of emotions" as Jisoo confronts an uncommitted lover. The song's lyrics have been interpreted to delve into themes of betrayal, liberation, self-empowerment, and overcoming a toxic romance. 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". 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."$^{:4:10–4:25}$

## 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". 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. 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. KBIZoom commended the song’s "infectious melody" and "emotionally resonant lyrics," recognizing its emphasis on "self-empowerment, resilience, and defying deception" as a significant milestone in Jisoo’s musical evolution.

## Live performances

Jisoo performed the song on Lights, Love, Action!, a fanmeet tour spanning seven cities across Asia.

## Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Amortage.
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
* 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

## Charts

Chart performance for "Hugs & Kisses" :
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) | 33 |
| Singapore Regional (RIAS) | 19 |
| South Korea Download (Circle) | 43 |

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Hugs & Kisses" :
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
| Various | February 14, 2025 | Digital downloadstreaming | BlissooWarner | |