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| ▲ This image provided by HYBE x Geffen Records shows its executive creator Son Seong-deuk (C) and global K-pop girl group KATSEYE. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- "KATSEYE is a new type of global girl group, and that alone gives it a significant competitive edge."
KATSEYE, a global girl group created through a collaboration between Korea's leading entertainment company HYBE and Geffen Records under Universal Music in the U.S., has garnered attention for its diverse and groundbreaking composition, blending various nationalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
The six members—Manon (Switzerland), Sofia (Philippines), Daniela, Lara, Megan (U.S.), and Yoon Chae (Korea)—each bring their unique charms to the forefront. Their debut mini-album, SIS (Soft Is Strong), entered the U.S. Billboard 200 main album chart.
Son Seong-deuk, the Executive Creator behind the KATSEYE project, explained in a written interview with Yonhap News on the 23rd, "The group offers a strong appeal not only as KATSEYE but also because of how we skillfully merged multiple cultures. This allows us to connect with American listeners and global fans alike through music, performances, and content."
He emphasized, "Our goal was not to have a single front member but to make all six members front runners. To achieve this, we worked diligently on enhancing their skills."
The Netflix documentary Popstar Academy: KATSEYE highlights the journey of the group, showcasing standout members like Sofia, who displayed exceptional abilities throughout the project, and Manon, who joined later but showed rapid growth.
"We wanted to maintain KATSEYE’s unique concept and style while highlighting each member's individual charm. With such diverse members, ensuring they formed 'one team' in terms of visuals and skills was crucial," Son explained.
The group’s formation was not without its challenges. As shown in the documentary, one trainee was forced to leave the project after posting about it on social media, and many faced harsh critiques from top professionals in choreography and vocals. Manon, now beloved by many fans, initially faced criticism from fellow participants for her lack of practice.
Son shared that, given the global backgrounds of the members, they had to live together in a dormitory. He said, "We provided as much support as possible to help them adjust, emphasizing 'maximum autonomy' and 'mutual respect' to avoid cultural clashes."
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| ▲ This image provided by HYBE x Geffen Records shows its executive creator Son Seong-deuk, posing for a photo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The key to overcoming the sense of "unfamiliarity" among global music fans and K-pop fans alike lay in combining the intense training methods of K-pop with the global music system. "We created a hybrid training system that blended HYBE's methods with a structure suited to the local environment. Along with world-class trainers, we focused on vocals and dance while also considering the mental and physical health of the younger members," he explained.
Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE, acknowledged the challenges of the project but expressed pride, saying, "This is a path no one has walked before, and it is a project of great significance in the global music market, beyond K-pop."
Recently, KATSEYE made appearances on Korean music programs such as Music Bank and Show! Music Core, greeting local fans. They also dressed in traditional Korean hanbok to send a Chuseok holiday greeting.
Son noted, "Although there aren’t as many music shows in the U.S. as in Korea, we plan to overcome these limitations with local programs, performances, and other types of content. The members aren’t formally studying Korean, but out of love and respect for K-pop, they are voluntarily learning it, with Korean member Yoon Chae offering great help."
Son, a renowned choreographer who has worked with BTS since the days of Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE), praised BTS, stating, "They are constantly evolving and are still 'works in progress.' Their relentless effort and unwavering passion for music are the driving forces behind their growth. I now find myself learning and drawing inspiration from them."
"KATSEYE will continue to connect with the public through various albums and performances. We’ll keep working hard to receive even more love, and we look forward to meeting everyone through a world tour and music festivals."
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