Say hello to KATSEYE—the newest girl group taking over the internet. They were born from the reality show “Pop Star Academy,” where 20 girls battled for a spot in the spotlight. This sextet is the latest global girl group from HYBE, the same company behind BTS. Their newest single “Gnarly” is sparking big debates online and getting both love and side-eye from fans and critics alike.
K-pop has become a global force, and companies like HYBE are getting more creative in how they expand their reach. One of HYBE’s boldest moves was launching “global groups”—groups trained in the K-pop system but made up of international members. While NiziU and VCHA came first, KATSEYE is the newest and arguably most talked-about so far.
The project kicked off in 2021 with a collab between HYBE and Geffen Records. Out of over 120,000 global applicants, 20 girls made it to the YouTube series Dream Academy, which aired in 2023. After months of eliminations, six finalists formed KATSEYE: Mannon (Switzerland), Sophia (Philippines), Daniela (USA with Venezuelan), Lara (USA), Megan (USA), and Yoonchae (South Korea). Their first singles, “Touch” and “Debut” marked their first steps as a group.
@thechainsmokers everythings gnarly @alicelongyugao #NewMusic
Fast forward to 2025, KATSEYE dropped “Gnarly” on April 30, and things got real. First used on TikTok by The Chainsmokers and songwriter Alice Longyu Gao in 2023, “Gnarly” was finally given to KATSEYE. The track blends pop, hyperpop, and electronic music with surreal visuals and intense choreography. The lyrics? Total Gen Z chaos—name-dropping fried chicken, Teslas, and even the song itself as “gnarly.”
Initially, “Gnarly” received mixed to negative reviews, with listeners criticizing the lyrics and the chaotic production. However, after the group’s live performances of the track, tides started turning. Fans are now loving the catchy vibe, wild energy, and are even jumping on the dance trend. With a new mini-album on the way, KATSEYE is proving that being a “K-pop group that’s not K-pop” might just be the future.
