In just over a year since their debut, global girl group KATSEYE has taken the world by storm. From performing at Lollapalooza, one of the largest music festivals in the world, to starring in a viral GAP campaign, the girls have proven themselves to be more than just a pop sensation — they’ve completely redefined what it means to be a “global group”.
KATSEYE’s rise to fame began with The Debut: Dream Academy, a global talent competition created through an international collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records. This show aimed to form a global girl group that could bridge the gap between K-pop and Western pop culture. Airing from August to November 2023, it brought together 20 female candidates from around the world who were selected from over 120,000 auditions. The trainees competed in three missions to test their vocals, dancing, and overall star power. By the finale, only ten contestants remained, and six were ultimately chosen to debut as KATSEYE.
Since Dream Academy primarily focused on the performances, there was limited information beyond that. Viewers only saw the mission performances and results, along with a few vlogs from the contestants. Their curiosity was satisfied nine months later with the new Netflix series, Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. The documentary revealed everything that happened behind the scenes, including the contestants’ day-to-day training, their thoughts throughout the program, and the numerous emotional moments that shaped their journey. For many, this documentary was their true introduction to KATSEYE.
“I started supporting [KATSEYE] after the Netflix series was released,” Iris Cheng (10th) said. “I think their diversity and how iconic they are when they perform really set them apart.”
KATSEYE officially debuted in June 2024 with the single “Debut,” followed by the softer, more melodic single “Touch.” The latter track proved to be a turning point for them — its choreography went viral as a dance challenge on TikTok and other social media platforms, pushing the group into the mainstream spotlight. Their first EP, titled SIS (Soft Is Strong), was released that August and debuted at number 119 on the Billboard 200.
In April of 2025, KATSEYE released a track that boosted their popularity to the very top — “Gnarly.” Debuting as the lead single from their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, “Gnarly” became their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The track was extremely experimental in nature, featuring a wacky beat and even wackier lyrics. Upon release, fans immediately criticized it, calling it a failure at satire. However, once promotions for the single began, public opinion flipped almost overnight — soon, it seemed impossible to scroll through social media without seeing a performance of the song.
“I became a fan after ‘Gnarly’ because I liked how different it sounded,” said Neeti Char (9th).
The full EP arrived in June, featuring hits like “Gabriela” and “Gameboy,” and debuted in the fourth spot of the Billboard 200 — a new milestone for the group. The choreography for “Gabriela” also went viral on social media, thanks to its signature “helicopter hands” move that fans couldn’t stop recreating.
Ultimately, KATSEYE has made an undeniable impact on the entertainment scene with their sensational music and branding.