In a world brimming with K-pop acts, KATSEYE cuts through the noise with undeniable brilliance—and it’s easy to see why. If you’re as online as we are, you’ve likely stumbled upon the viral tune that goes, "been so out of touch touch touch touch touch." That earworm is the work of none other than KATSEYE, the latest "it" group to storm the global music scene. Since their debut in June, they’ve amassed over 3 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, with their debut singles "Touch" and "Debut" racking up 68 million and 20 million streams on Spotify, respectively.
What sets KATSEYE apart is that they’re HYBE Entertainment’s first U.S.-based girl group, crafted for global appeal yet steeped in the rigorous K-pop training process. It’s the best of both worlds—an international reach fused with the tried-and-tested performance prowess of K-pop. This powerhouse collective didn’t just come together by accident; they were brought together through a unique creative process that spanned the globe. Each member represents a different corner of the world, making KATSEYE the first truly "Global Girl Group." The lineup includes leader Sophia (Filipina), Lara (American-Indian), Daniela (American-Venezuelan-Cuban), Manon (Swiss-Italian-Ghanaian), Yoonchae (Korean), and Megan (Chinese-Singaporean-American)—yes, a Singaporean! Truly EYECONIC.
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Formed through a groundbreaking partnership between Geffen Records and HYBE Entertainment, the same labels behind stars like Olivia Rodrigo, Camila Cabello, BTS, and Le Sserafim, KATSEYE was created with global dominance in mind. Their journey to stardom was captured in Netflix’s docuseries Popstar Academy: KATSEYE, offering an intimate look into the demanding, high-stakes world of K-pop training. Out of 120,000 applicants, 20 hopefuls were selected to compete in an 18-month training programme, but only six emerged victorious to form the KATSEYE we know today.
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In just over two months since their debut, KATSEYE has built a massive fanbase—affectionately known as EYECONs—and recently released their first EP, SIS: Soft is Strong. They’ve already performed at KCON LA, Korean music shows, and Good Morning America. With their infectious hooks, trendsetting style, and unfiltered authenticity, KATSEYE is more than just another girl group; they’re a global phenomenon in the making, ready to take the industry by storm.
In this exclusive ELLE Singapore interview, KATSEYE opens up about their experiences on Popstar Academy, what it means to be a "Global Girl Group," their pre-stage rituals, and much more. Get to know the group that’s redefining K-pop on their own terms.
What inspired you to participate in the Popstar Academy process?
Lara: I’ve been singing and performing since I was just four years old, always immersed in writing and producing my own songs as I grew up. It was clear to me that being an artist was the only path I could take—I’ve always dreamed of being a pop star! What truly inspires me about this project is its global aspect and the opportunity to represent my brown girls and my culture. Growing up, I often felt a lack of representation in the music industry, which made me doubt whether it was possible to be a pop star who looked like me.
But everything changed the day HYBE x GEFFEN reached out to me on Instagram. I read their DM, and I was instantly sold. In that moment, I just knew this was going to be my life from then on.
Which K-pop stars did you look up to growing up, and did they inspire you to become one?
Yoonchae: BTS and BLACKPINK really inspired me to pursue a career in K-pop. They’ve always been my biggest role models and still are today.
How has your life changed since debuting as KATSEYE?
Manon: Debuting as KATSEYE has been an absolute whirlwind! Since the release of our EP "SIS: Soft is Strong", everything has changed. We’ve performed on television during our Asia tour, met our fans in person for the very first time, and encountered countless wonderful surprises along the way. This summer has truly been everything we could have ever dreamed of. I’m incredibly grateful for all the love and support—we couldn't have done it without you, EYEKONs!
What do you love most about being a "Global Girl Group"?
Sophia: What I cherish most about being a "Global Girl Group" is our ability to connect with a diverse range of people from various backgrounds. Hailing from all corners of the globe, we aspire for our music to resonate with those who see themselves in us. Each of our songs reflects a piece of who we are, and we hope our EYEKONs can find their own stories within our sound and the messages we convey.
What was the most challenging yet fulfilling part of your experience in the Popstar Academy: KATSEYE ?
Megan: The most challenging aspect of the entire experience was undoubtedly keeping everything under wraps for nearly two years. It was incredibly difficult not to share what I was working on with anyone. However, witnessing it all come together and finally being able to unveil it to the world made all that waiting worthwhile. It was a tough journey, but the reward was immense, especially once we entered the competition and I secured my place in the group!
What was the transition like from rehearsing in LA to staging performances in South Korea?
Daniela: Rehearsing in LA provided us with a solid foundation, allowing us to perfect our routines, but performing in South Korea was an entirely different experience. The energy and excitement there were palpable, and it was truly incredible to witness our hard work come to life on stage. The entire experience has been immensely rewarding, and we've gained so much knowledge along the way.
Was the K-pop training/development process what you expected?
Megan: The K-pop training system is undoubtedly challenging, but it truly demonstrates that hard work pays off. During our trainee days, we endured intense sessions focused on singing, dancing, performance, and more, which honed our skills across the board. One of the greatest advantages of this rigorous training is its attention to detail, ensuring that we were polished and prepared for anything by the time we debuted. It’s a demanding process, but that level of dedication has been instrumental in helping us realise our full potential.
What is a genre you would love to try?
Manon: I would one day love to experiment with neo soul or soul in general. I’m also very into bedroom pop.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a song, who would it be, what would the song be called and why?
Lara: A collaboration with LISA, Rosalía, and Pharrell would be an absolute dream come true for me. These artists are incredibly inspiring, and everything they touch seems to turn to gold! I also think teaming up with LE SSERAFIM would be so, so cool. Their track "Pierrot" has been on repeat for me, and I recently discovered it’s called "Sad Clown." I even remixed it with "Touch" during a Weverse Live and sent it to Yunjin!
How was your first fan event with EYEKONS?
Yoonchae: It was really special. I was a bit nervous, but seeing everyone’s support made me so happy and thankful. I could feel a real connection with our fans right away. It’s a moment I’ll always remember.
Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?
Daniela: Totally! Before going on stage, I have a few go-to rituals. I do a quick warm-up to get my energy up and clear my head. I also blast a couple of my favourite songs to get pumped. Plus, take a moment to chill and set my intention for the show. These little things help me feel grounded and ready to go.
Congratulations on the announcement of the KATSEYE Asia tour! What is your tour preparation looking like?
Sophia: Thank you so much! We were absolutely thrilled about the KATSEYE Asia tour. Preparing for the tour involved countless rehearsals, meetings, and meticulous planning. Our primary focus was on perfecting the setlist and choreography to ensure every performance was flawless for our fans. We also had to coordinate extensively with our team to guarantee that everything ran smoothly. The best part was definitely connecting with our fans across Asia; we truly felt the love!
If you had to categorise each KATSEYE member according to the "very cutesy, very demure, very mindful" trend, who would fit into each category and why?
Lara: Cutesy ... Yoonchae, Dani, because they are both so cute and my babies even tho Dani is older than me she’s still my baby. Demure ... I'm going to say myself, Manon because we're both calm. Mindful ... Sophia and Megan cuz i feel like they are both very mindful people and are always looking out for everything.
Who is most likely to ...
Sophia: Most likely to go viral would be Manon, without a doubt—she’d definitely start some kind of trend!
Most likely to have their own talk show: Yoonchae and I; we chat so much together, and I think it would be such fun to have a show with her.
Most likely to become a fashion icon: Definitely Lara or Megan; they both have impeccable taste and an incredible eye for fashion that I could never match.
Class Clown: That would be either Megan or me since we always love to play off each other’s jokes and keep the laughter going.
Life of the Party and the funniest: Dani! She’s a ball of energy and has her own unique sense of humour.
What are your favourite activities to do when you’re not in the studio?
Megan: My favourite activities outside the studio are going to the beach with friends and sometimes taking dance classes!
Where are your go-to places to shop?
Daniela: My go to places to shop are always online. I love I am Gia, Jaded London, and Named Collective!
If you could listen to one music artist for the rest of your life, who would it be and why?
Manon: It would be Beyoncé because she’s been able to reinvent herself so many times now and she’s been successful for so long in this industry.
What is your go-to karaoke song?
Yoonchae: Honestly I don’t really have a go-to karaoke song but I like to sing upbeat kpop songs because it makes us feel excited and fun.