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KATSEYE
- Agency
- HYBE × Geffen
- Fandom
- EYEKONS
- Debut
- 2024
- Generation
- 5th gen
- Members
- 6
KATSEYE is a six-member global girl group built by HYBE and Geffen Records, the first group the two companies developed together through a worldwide search. Their music blends K-pop style training and polish with American pop, running from sugary dance-pop on "Touch" to the edgier, Latin-tinged "Gabriela" and the attitude-heavy "Gnarly." U.S. fans have a stake in them because the group trains and works out of Los Angeles, rose through a Netflix-documented competition, and has posted big American chart numbers, including a first Billboard 200 No. 1 in 2026. Their fandom is called EYEKONS, and the group has become a test case for whether the K-pop system can succeed in the American market.
How they formed
KATSEYE was formed through the competition series The Debut: Dream Academy, where about 20 finalists were chosen from a pool of over 120,000 applicants. The finalists trained in the K-pop way while based in the U.S., competing for only six spots. The winning six became a HYBE x Geffen Records group that officially debuted on June 28, 2024.
Personnel
In their own words
- Beyonce Lara Raj said the group is heavily inspired by Beyonce's 2018 Coachella sets as they prepared for their own Coachella debut. billboard.com
Timeline
- 2023Lineup chosen on the Dream Academy finale
On November 17, 2023, the live finale revealed the six members of KATSEYE out of the final trainees, using fan votes plus label input.
- 2024Debut single "Debut"
- 2024Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE on Netflix
A Netflix docuseries by director Nadia Hallgren, covering the casting and training of the group, was released in August 2024.
- 2024First EP SIS (Soft Is Strong)
The group followed their debut single with the EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) in August 2024, led by the pastel-toned dance-pop single "Touch."
- 2025Second EP Beautiful Chaos
Beautiful Chaos took a bolder turn with "Gnarly" and the Latin-flavored "Gabriela." It entered the Billboard 200 at No. 4 with 44,000 units and later logged a 41-week run on that chart.
- 2025Huge TikTok reach
The group drew over 30 billion TikTok views during 2025.
- 2026Grammy nomination and performance
KATSEYE was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys, where the award went to Olivia Dean, and performed on the show in February.
- 2026Manon begins a hiatus
On February 20, 2026, HYBE announced that Manon would step away from group activities for her health and wellbeing while the group continued scheduled work.
- 2026Hot 100 top 40 streak
"Gabriela" (No. 21) and "Internet Girl" (No. 29) charted in January 2026, followed by "Pinky Up" at No. 28 in April, giving the group a run of consecutive top 40 hits.
- 2026Coachella debut
The group made their Coachella debut in April 2026, around the time of a GAP collaboration collection.
- 2026Wildworld Tour announced
On May 13, 2026, KATSEYE announced a Live Nation produced arena tour of the UK, Europe and North America, running September 1 in Dublin to November 27 in Mexico City.
- 2026Third EP WILD tops the Billboard 200
WILD debuted at No. 1 with 170,000 units, the biggest single week for an all-female group since the chart began counting units in 2015. The group also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 for the first time, and "Hootie Frutti" debuted at No. 31 on the Hot 100.
- 2026Sophia announces a hiatus
In August 2026 Sophia announced her own break from the group, adding to the lineup changes of the year.
Latest
- WILD debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
The five-track EP opened with 170,000 first-week units, with 145,000 of that in pure sales, and the single "Hootie Frutti" entered the Hot 100 at No. 31.
billboard.com - Iconic by Mistake collaboration
The joint single with LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT was released June 12, 2026, and is described as the first official song between K-pop girl groups that did not involve forming a supergroup.
variety.com - HYBE and Geffen add a new group
The HYBE x Geffen partnership announced a new follow-up global group, which coverage frames as part of the label's broader global girl group strategy.
respawn.outlookindia.com - Wildworld Tour
The arena tour begins September 1 at 3Arena in Dublin, opens its North American leg October 13 in Miami, and ends November 27 in Mexico City. It includes stops at UBS Arena and Crypto.com Arena.
udiscovermusic.com - WILD EP set for release via HYBE x Geffen
The label announced the third EP WILD for August 14, along with a performance on the TODAY Citi Concert Series that day.
udiscovermusic.com - Weverse handles Wildworld Tour presale and VIP
Weverse received a presale lane and VIP sales for the tour, which Live Nation produces. Paid Weverse members needed to apply by May 17 for the May 20 artist presale.
digitalmusicnews.com - HYBE announces Manon hiatus
HYBE issued a statement that Manon would take a temporary hiatus to focus on her health, with the group continuing scheduled activities.
billboard.com
Our coverage
KATSEYE Postpones Chicago and Minneapolis Shows as Megan Recovers From Concussion
Target Center says Minneapolis tickets stay valid for a replacement date, which the venue said would be announced soon.
KATSEYE to Headline Sziget Festival 2027 in Budapest
Word of the Hungarian booking spread on X this week, alongside new 2027 WILDWORLD TOUR dates in the Philippines.
Lisa Lands Second Solo Top 40 Album as 'PRESS PLAY' Opens at No. 35
The EP lands at No. 6 on Top Album Sales in the same week Jennie's Tame Impala collaboration returns to No. 5 on the Hot 100.
Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Ties Hot 100 Peak at No. 5
Lisa's Press Play opens at No. 35 on the Billboard 200, while Katseye, BTS, Cortis and Stray Kids also hold places on the albums chart.
What a K-pop Group Leader Actually Does, From Award Show Speeches to Agency Talks
This week's Lexicon word: who hands out the leader title, why it so often goes to the oldest member, and where the word turned up this year.
BTS and Stray Kids Were Right: The Grammys' Asian Pop Award Is a Language Box
K-pop's four biggest companies reportedly sat it out, and the new category drew 116 entries to best Latin song's 519. That gap is a verdict on the category.
Jennie's 'Dracula' Remix With Tame Impala Is Back at No. 5 on the Hot 100
The viral remix gained one spot to match its best showing, while Katseye's 'Animal' rose to No. 28 and Stray Kids led K-pop albums.
Katseye Enters From the Crowd for 'Pinky Up' and 'Animal' at Victoria's Secret Show
The girl group walked in through the audience in Los Angeles and shared the bill with Tate McRae, Megan Thee Stallion and Megan Moroney.
Jennie and Tame Impala's 'Dracula' Climbs Back to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100
The collaboration gained one spot to match its best showing, as Katseye climbed and Stray Kids led K-pop albums on the Billboard 200.
BTS, BLACKPINK and KATSEYE Land Kids' Choice Nods as 'KPop Demon Hunters' Takes Five
Nickelodeon's November 14 ceremony has K-pop in the music, movie and breakout categories, with fan voting open now.
- kprofiles.com: KATSEYE Members Profile (Updated!)
- udiscovermusic.com: See KATSEYE’s 2026 Wildworld Arena Tour Dates
- kpopping.com: KATSEYE members profile, ages, MBTI & facts
- digitalmusicnews.com: Weverse Scores Major Pre-Sale, VIP Sales Lanes for Hybe x Geffen’s Katseye World Tour
- netflix.com: Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE Trainees and Members Guide
- respawn.outlookindia.com: KATSEYE Announces Huge WILDWORLD Arena Tour | Outlook Respawn
- complex.com: KATSEYE: 11 Things You Didn't Know About the Global Girl Group
- billboard.com: KATSEYE | Biography, Music & News
- billboard.com: KATSEYE, Phoebe Bridgers, Ella Langley & More: Chart ...
- variety.com: Huh Yunjin From Le Sserafim on Her Crazy Pre-Debut Story, Almost Quitting K-Pop and Collabing With Katseye
- billboard.com: KATSEYE's 'Wild' Debut: How Did It Top the Billboard 200?
- billboard.com: A Timeline of KATSEYE’s Lineup, From Forming on ‘Dream Academy’ to Hiatuses
- time.com: The Story Behind Netflix's Pop Star Academy: Katseye
Fan sites
- Kprofiles KATSEYE profileFan-run member profile
- Kpopping KATSEYE profileFan-run profile and reference page with member details and discography
Official channels verified on katseye.world
Last researched Nov. 11, 2026