FIRST READ · MON 7 AM ETTHE WEEKEND LEXICON · SAT 9 AM ETYoonchae
- Stage name
- Yoonchae
- Born
- Dec. 6, 2007
- Hometown
- South Korea
- Position
- Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Maknae
- Agency
- HYBE × Geffen
- Fandom
- EYEKONS
- Debut
- 2024
- Generation
- 5th gen
Yoonchae Jeung is a member of KATSEYE, the global girl group built by HYBE and Geffen Records through the online competition series The Debut: Dream Academy. She brings South Korean heritage to a lineup drawn from several countries. The group formed at the live finale on November 17, 2023, and went on to land multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits, including "Gnarly." In late 2026 she joined bandmates in a joint statement when tour dates were postponed to protect Megan's health. Her fanbase, like the group's, goes by EYEKONS.
Where they grew up
Yoonchae is of South Korean heritage. She was one of 20 contestants picked from a pool of over 120,000 applicants for HYBE and Geffen's girl group project. She then spent roughly two years training in singing, dance and performance at The Dream Academy in the US. Like her bandmates, she came up in a generation raised on pop groups that found fame through reality TV.
Birth details: kpopping.com
In their own words
- BTS Named as one of the artists she admired and wanted to follow into the industry. billboardphilippines.com
- IU Named alongside BTS as an artist she admired. billboardphilippines.com
Timeline
- 2021Group project announced
HYBE and Geffen Records revealed plans for a new girl group in November, drawing over 120,000 applicants.
- 2023The Debut: Dream Academy
After about two years of training, Yoonchae competed on the public-voted series in autumn 2023.
- 2023KATSEYE forms
Named to the final six at the live finale in Hollywood on November 17.
- 2024Debut single and first EP
The group released the single "Debut" in June, followed by the EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) in August.
- 2025"Gnarly" and first Hot 100 hit
The single from the EP Beautiful Chaos sparked debate, then earned the group its first Billboard Hot 100 entry. Yoonchae also joined the Teen Vogue cover story.
- 2026Grammy nomination and Wild era
KATSEYE was nominated for best new artist at the 2026 Grammys, performed at Coachella and rolled out the EP Wild and its world tour.
Latest
- Touring continues for the Wild era
KATSEYE is on its world tour behind the third EP, Wild, with a rescheduled stop in Austin on a modified schedule for Megan.
teenvogue.com - Joint statement on postponed tour dates
Yoonchae, Daniela and Lara posted a shared message on Instagram after the Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis shows were postponed so Megan could recover from a concussion.
teenvogue.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.
- i-d.co: KATSEYE are ready to be the next world-dominating girl ...
- teenvogue.com: Sophia Is Returning, but Is Manon Leaving KATSEYE? A ...
- teenvogue.com: KATSEYE on 'Gnarly' Reactions, New Song 'Gabriela,' and ...
- billboard.com: KATSEYE's Lineup Timeline, From 'Dream Academy ...
Last researched Nov. 12, 2026