INTERVIEW KATSEYE’s global model shows where pop music could go next
Members of girl group KATSEYE, from left, Megan, Manon, Daniela, Yoonchae, Sophia and Lara pose with the award for MTV Push Performance of the Year for "Touch" in the press room during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Sept. 7. AFP-Yonhap
What does pop music sound like when it’s built on K-pop precision and Western flair?
The answer may be KATSEYE, a six-member girl group formed through a cross-border collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records and first introduced in Netflix’s 2023 survival show “The Debut: Dream Academy.”
In an era when K-pop is reaching mainstream audiences on global stages from Coachella to Lollapalooza, the industry isn’t just celebrating the genre’s crossover success, but preparing for what’s next by looking at how they can evolve, break new barriers and ensure long-term sustainability.
That’s where KATSEYE, trained in the rigorous world of the Korean idol system but rooted in global pop sensibility, comes in.
“I think a gem that KATSEYE brings to the pop world is representation, empowerment, our powerful performance and showmanship. These are things we really value as a group and want to continue leveling up,” Lara told The Korea Times.
The lineup — Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae — hails from the Philippines, Switzerland, the U.S. and Korea, bringing a global perspective to every move they make. Together, they reflect the changing face of the pop industry.
KATSEYE's latest EP, “Beautiful Chaos,” dropped in June, further solidifies their unique positioning in pop. Courtesy of HYBE Labels, Geffen Records
Megan, who hails from Hawaii, thought K-pop training was going to be “strict and rigid.”
“But I learned it’s also about teamwork, creativity and supporting each other,” she said, adding that the training was “different and challenging.”
“It pushed us to grow not just as artists, but as people, and to really learn from each other’s cultures and perspectives.”
Korean member Yoonchae also noted that through their training in Los Angeles, KATSEYE was able to “combine the best of both worlds” and take influences from both U.S. music and the K-pop industry.
“In LA, I was surrounded by a lot of diverse music and cultures, which inspired me in many ways. But at the same time, the discipline, hard work and dedication are really similar to what trainees go through in Korea,” said Yoonchae.
Despite not being a K-pop group, some members of KATSEYE are still influenced by K-pop idols in how they conduct themselves and their impact on global music.
“I draw a lot of inspiration from groups that coincidentally fall under the same company, like BTS, Le Sserafim, ENHYPEN and more,” Sophia said. “BTS mainly was a big inspiration because of how they broke boundaries as Asian artists on a global scale. Their group dynamic and the messages they send through their music always inspired me.”
Following their debut in 2023, KATSEYE enjoyed a rapid rise to fame as they earned their first-ever entry on Billboard’s Hot 100 with “Gnarly,” which they performed at Lollapalooza Chicago 2025. They've also gained a big social media following with fans from all over the world — 6.1 million followers on Instagram, 11.4 million on TikTok and 4 million on YouTube.
Their latest EP, “Beautiful Chaos,” which dropped in June, further solidified their unique position in pop.
“This EP feels super genuine to me, especially with ‘Gabriela’ — that one’s really personal and shows a side of me people haven’t really seen before,” Daniela explained. On the track, she sings a bridge in Spanish, showcasing her cultural background. “Overall, it’s just us being ourselves. Loud, messy, emotional, but in a way that’s still beautiful.”
KATSEYE performs during their set on the T-Mobile Stage at Lollapalooza Chicago in Grant Park, Aug. 3. Captured from Instagram
The spotlight and fame that KATSEYE has experienced in such a short amount of time can be a lot to handle and adjust to. Nevertheless, Manon asserts that it’s their friendship and the people around them that have kept them grounded.
“We’ve had so many new experiences this year, but what keeps us grounded is staying close as a group, supporting each other, and remembering why we started in the first place,” Manon said. “We also try to keep in touch with our families and make time for little normal things in life, so that even when everything is moving fast, we feel balanced.”
The impact of KATSEYE could go beyond music, as Lara believes they have the ability to inspire younger generations to become pop stars through the power of representation.
“Growing up, I really yearned for someone else who looked like me to make me feel like my career would be more possible. I decided that I need to become that person for other young aspiring artists, and I hope that our existence and works make them feel empowered and limitless,” said Lara, who is of Tamil heritage.
KATSEYE is just the beginning of the new pop frontier. Geffen and HYBE are already preparing to launch a second global girl group in 2026. The yet-to-be-named four-member unit will feature Brazilian Samara Siqueira, Lexie Levin from Sweden and American Emily Kelavos — all former contestants from “Dream Academy” — while auditions for the fourth and final member are currently underway in Japan in partnership with streaming service ABEMA.
HYBE also recently announced plans to expand its model into India, reflecting chairperson Bang Si-hyuk’s broader vision to “export K-Pop methodologies” across the world and “achieve a dominant market position by seamlessly integrating local culture and characteristics.”
Adam Davidson is a London-based arts journalist who specializes in music and movies and has contributed to publications such as LA Times, Radio Times and The Boston Globe.