HYBE and Geffen Records collaborated to create the new music group KATSEYE, which features multi-national participants. With the backing of HYBE Labels, KATSEYE has attracted K-pop fans. But the question arises: Is KATSEYE a K-pop group?
KATSEYE was formed from the survival reality show The Debut: Dream Academy. Twenty participants joined the survival program, and six rookies made it to the final lineup of the show.
Before KATSEYE’s debut, Bang Si Hyuk, the founder of the K-pop label HYBE, shared his vision for the group. He elaborated on this collaboration project with Geffen Records, which is responsible for the group’s promotion in America.
KATSYE: Is it a K-pop group?
Technically, KATSEYE is not a K-pop group. Although the music act will have some themes similar to K-pop, the multi-national group will primarily release music in English and aim to win over an international audience, including the United States.
Bang Si Hyuk, the founder of HYBE, explained the group’s concept in an interview. He said, “I’ve always had a dream to give talented young people the opportunity to become members of a remarkable group that is created based on K-pop.”
He added that taking the ‘k’ out of K-pop and becoming just “pop” music for the music genre could help it become globally mainstream. His dream with KATSEYE is to target it for ‘the American market.’ HYBE Labels also explained the group’s concept in a press release: “It’s time to use the K-pop production system overseas to find new talents across the globe.”
While KATSYE is not purely a K-pop group, it will still have all the pre-dominant themes of a K-pop act. From doing fun TikTok and Instagram reel challenges to having an extensive promotional schedule, Bang Si Hyuk is ready to apply the winning ‘BTS aka K-pop’ formula to the new group to achieve greater success.
KATSEYE will release their first EP, SIS (Soft Is Strong), on August 16 at 12 a.m. ET, 1 p.m. KST, five a.m. BST and 9.30 a.m. IST. Before the premiere, KATSEYE shared their new song, “Touch,” on July 26, 2024. The MV garnered over 1.8 million views within five days of its release.
