By bridging the gap between K-pop and mainstream pop, Katseye has taken the world by storm in only two years.
But Katseye’s fame didn’t just come from nowhere. Katseye started in a survival-style show called Dream Academy. The show was a project created through a collaboration between Hybe, a Korean record label best known for creating BTS, and Geffen Records, an American record label known for their work with artists like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. Together, the two companies set off to create a global girl group. They gathered 20 women from around the world to train them in all things necessary to be a global sensation. Contestants competed to see who would be members of the girl group, Katseye. The final winners were Sophia LaForteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung.
Soon after, the singers released their debut song, “Debut,” and their EP “Soft is Strong,” or SIS, which included songs like “Touch,” “My Way,” and “Tonight I Might.” “Touch” went viral nearly overnight, which opened up doors for them to perform at many different events and to appear on talk shows such as the Kelly Clarkson show. Not long after, in April 2025, Katseye released their most iconic song, “Gnarly.” “Gnarly’s” catchy beat, interesting lyrics, and entertaining dance amazed people everywhere. Following “Gnarly,” they released their second EP, “Beautiful Chaos”, which included songs like “MIA”, “Gabriela”, and “Mean Girls.” Nearly all of the songs in this EP went viral as people created dances, made edits with the songs, and were awed by the girls’ performance.
In addition to making music, the group has also done countless collaborations with clothing brands, makeup brands, and even fast-food restaurants. The most memorable of their collaborations was an ad created with Gap. People were so drawn in by the dance the girls performed in the video that it went viral on TikTok.
Katseye shows no signs of stopping their mission anytime soon. Currently, they are on tour for “Beautiful Chaos” and are nominated for two Grammys. Katseye’s fun music and entertaining performances establish them in the pop world. They aren’t just making music; they are setting the future of pop culture.
