Katseye is a group that is unique not only in practice, but also in the way they were formed. The group was created through The Debut: Dream Academy, a reality show created in collaboration with Hybe Corporation and Geffen Records. Hybe Corporation is a South Korean multinational entertainment company, and the K-pop inspiration is evident within Katseye.

A Global Girl Group

Outside of their Korean influences within their formation and marketing, Katseye is a “global girl group.” This is where they separate themselves from many other traditional K-pop groups with members of different nationalities, including members Manon (Swiss, Italian, and Ghanaian), Sophia (Filipina), Daniela (Venezuelan, Cuban), Lara (Indian), Megan (Chinese, Singaporean), and Yoonchae (Korean). The K-pop industry is notorious for using other cultures as trendy aesthetics, but Katseye does the opposite. The group celebrates each member’s diverse background and pays homage to their culture in various ways. Katseye doesn’t corner themselves into one specific sound and actively celebrates their diversity in an industry that is culturally toxic. They are a global group, and even though they debuted within the K-pop industry under Hybe, they create something that isn’t boxed into typical K-pop molds. Combining their global influences with traditional K-pop style, they are creating something entirely new. Whether it be their marketing, videos, sound, or just the members’ personalities, Katseye is carving their own unique identity within a space that is uncharacteristically homogenous. 

Within their first EP, Soft is Strong, the group embraced a more K-pop adjacent sound with hits like “Touch” or “Debut.” Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, however, shines a light on their star power on a global scale. Each song is wildly different, with their biggest single, “Gnarly,” moving away from the soft-pop sound into something more experimental. With writer and composer Alice Longyu Gau, an artist who pioneered the hyperpop genre, leading the single, it shows that the group isn’t afraid to change. This isn’t only evident in their music, but also in their performances, personalities, and style. The members don’t put on the typical corporate front when connecting with their audience; this allows them to have fun and just be weird. It’s refreshing to see a group like Katseye, especially in such a competitive industry, not be afraid to be different and true to themselves. Even without a distinct sound or voice, Katseye has the incredible ability to connect with audiences no matter the genre. Moving from soft upbeat pop to hyperpop or Latin-inspired R&B is something that shouldn’t be possible, but Katseye makes it look effortless. Only a year after their original debut, Katseye continues to grow and shows their ability to adapt to any sound or style.  

5 Songs, 6 Voices

There are five songs on their EP Beautiful Chao, with their lead single and standout track being “Gnarly.” It is an eclectic mix of references, hard-hitting 808s, synths, and an undeniably gnarly attitude. The song is experimental and definitely shows it in the reception it received, with it being a track that the listener either loves or despises. One thing that is undeniable is that “Gnarly” will be stuck in the listener’s head, especially after viewing their hypnotizing live performances.