Formed in 2008, with  a lineup that included Kevin Woo and Kim Kibum of the defunct boy band Xing (which also included BEAST rapper Yong Junhyung) and four other members discovered through auditions, U-KISS has developed a fiercely devoted fan base.

And although Kibum left U-KISS in early 2011, the group (whose name is an acronym for "Ubiquitous Korean International idol Super Star") has only continued to gain in popularity in the years since.

On Jan. 9, U-KISS will kick off their first-ever US tour at the Best Buy Theater in New York City.

In a recent interview with KpopStarz's Japanese news bureau, the six current members of U-KISS, Soohyun, Kiseop, Eli, AJ, Hoon and Kevin, discussed their seventh Japanese single "Fall In Love," the accompanying B-side "Shape of Your Heart" and even opened up about their own romantic habits.

KpopStarz: AJ, you wrote and produced "Fall In Love." Describe the writing process.

AJ: First, I composed the music for the entire song. Then I came up with lyrics from my own experience.

KpopStarz: Were you thinking about Christmastime when you wrote "Fall In Love?"

AJ: I did not mean to make this song about Christmas, but I did consider the winter season. I finished "Fall In Love" in late spring, which was still a season that felt cold like winter. I'm gradually gaining more experiences that I can use to write songs.

KpopStarz: What is the song about?

AJ: It is about my girlfriend leaving me.

KpopStarz: In one of the lyrics, you say "give me eye." What does that mean?

AJ: Ah, [smiles] because I look at eyes the most when I see a woman.

Soohyun: It's about AJ's experience. [group laughter]

KpopStarz: Since your new Japanese single is called "Fall In Love," what kind of situation causes you all to fall in love?

Kiseop: I fall in love while holding hands.

KpopStarz: You must have a hard time at High Touch events!

Soo Hyun: Whenever you have a handshake with fans, you feel like 'wow' and fall in love.

Kiseop: No, no, no! I don't mean it like that! Only when I hold hands with my favorite women.

Hun: When I catch a pretty girl's eye, and that girl shows her loveliness, I feel love and fall in love.

Kevin: That easy?

Eli: I am the person who falls in love at first sight.

KpopStarz: How do you know that you've fallen in love at first sight?

Eli: I can feel it. I have a feeling like 'here it comes.'

Soohyun: I fall in love when I see hardworking women, hardworking businesswomen who have bundled their hair beautifully.

Kevin: Woo!

AJ: Me, I'm the same as Eli, I can feel the moment that I'm falling in love at first sight.

KpopStarz: Tell us about your music video for "Fall In Love."

Soohyun: In the music video for "Fall in Love," bubbles appear. Fans have asked me about the bubbles. The bubbles signify the love for our ex-girlfriends. So, wherever our members go, bubbles follow us, but it's not possible to touch them. If you touch the bubbles, they will break and disappear.

KpopStarz: What is the B-Side of the "Fall In Love" single, the song "Shape of Your Heart," about?

Sohyun: This song is about love falling apart....it also has a wintertime type of vibe, but it's more uptempo than "Fall in Love."

Hoon: I think this song is the opposite of "Fall in Love." "Fall in Love" gives listeners an impression. "Shape of Your Heart" gives listeners a smile.

Kevin: "Shape of Your Heart" is a message to our fans, saying that we will always love you, telling them to show us the shape of their heart.

Eli: It feels really good to listen to this song in the winter because it makes you feel warm inside.

AJ: Yes, if you listen to this song, it will make you feel a little bit warmer inside. And "Shape of Your Heart" is a very upbeat song. A lot of people get lazy during the winter because it's so cold outside. So if you listen to "Shape of Your Heart" you can become more energetic.

KpopStarz: Right now, the US is in the height of their holiday season. Did U-KISS have any holidays this year?

Hun: [Last January] Kevin and Eli went to the US. Kiseop and Soohyun and I went to Japan together with our manager and we visited hot spas and ski resorts.

KpopStarz: How would you sum up 2013 in one word?

Kiseop: "Stairways," because I'm taking things up a notch one step at a time.

Hoon: "Unlimited," because I not only made music this year, but also acted in dramas and musicals. I even tried recording in Spanish.

Eli: "Quick," because it was very quick year. I worked on several projects and went to various countries, but also released a few albums.

Soohyun: "Sorrowful," U-KISS was busy, but there was less activity in Japan. I want to work more in Japan. Because of this, I want to participate in many events there next year. 

AJ: "Up and down," Because recently I'm doing very well, but at the beginning of this year I was not.

Kevin: "Growth," Because we did a Japanese tour, and took the stage in numerous countries, I feel many members have undergone substantial personal growth.

Interview by: Kiyori Matsumoto

Photos by: Akiya Uchida