Final 12 months, Ok-pop big Hybe and Geffen Data introduced the six members chosen to be a part of their first world lady group KATSEYE.
Billed as an worldwide group, with remaining members hailing from America, the Philippines, South Korea and Switzerland, the group was created utilizing Ok-pop artist growth methodologies via the audition program The Debut: Dream Academy.
Now, 9 months after it was introduced that Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae have been chosen for the worldwide group, KATSEYE has launched their first EP SIS (Comfortable Is Sturdy) and is the main target of latest Netflix docuseries Popstar Academy: KATSEYE.
It’s been a whirlwind few months for the members of KATSEYE, who vary in age from 16 to 22. The group launched their first single in June, fittingly titled “Debut,” a robust and youthful pop observe, earlier than releasing their second single “Contact,” a catchy but chill pop tune, in July.
“Our debut was completely superb. It couldn’t have gone higher,” Daniela tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We have been so excited to lastly come out with music and present the world who we’re as KATSEYE, and we’ve simply been working so, so laborious on this album.”
KATSEYE gave their first reside efficiency as a bunch final month throughout KCON L.A.’s third-night live performance. The lady group, who already carried out like seasoned veterans, is seemingly nonetheless in disbelief over the efficiency. “We are going to actually always remember [that moment],” Sophia gushes.
“It’s actually among the finest days of our lives as a result of that was our first reside efficiency as KATSEYE,” the 21-year-old continues, explaining that the group labored laborious to get into the fitting headspace for the efficiency by attempting issues rehearsing with faux cheering sounds.
“All of us felt actually current. We have been capable of focus, and we may see the faces of all of the followers” Sophia says. “All of us labored so laborious that we have been capable of benefit from the second. I really feel prefer it was actually revealing [as] to why we work so laborious, and why we do all of those hours, in order that we may actually, we have been very current.”
KATSEYE acting on stage at their El Rey Theatre fan occasion in Los Angeles.
Rahul Bhatt
“We actually needed to provide one of the best first impression and one of the best efficiency that we may have probably given,” Lara provides. “We needed to point out folks, with even the documentary, all of the coaching that we did, every part that has led as much as this second, that we imply enterprise, and we’re right here to remain.”
The group carried out for his or her followers at their first fan occasion on Tuesday. That they had the prospect to see their supporters in a extra intimate setting, which was a giant milestone for them. “It was actually significant for us,” Yoonchae, the youngest of the group at 16, explains.
The docuseries, which was launched on Wednesday, offers a behind-the-scenes take a look at the coaching the members went via, even earlier than Dream Academy. “[The documentary] could be very intense. It’s very emotional. I believe I cried each single episode, however it’s a nice documentary,” Daniela says.
When requested if reliving the moments of Popstar Academy made them see moments in a brand new life, the group reveals a behind-the-scenes take a look at how their teamwork goes. Sophia emphasizes that KATSEYE is so shut and communicates with each other.
“Coming into this, understanding {that a} documentary is popping out, and even earlier than we noticed it, all of us advised one another, ‘That was us two, three years in the past. We have been infants going via this insanely intense, insane, intense course of,’” she provides. “We’ve grown a lot as members of KATSEYE and as sisters that nothing goes to shake how we’re proper now.”
Their debut EP SIS (Comfortable Is Sturdy) options 5 songs, together with “Debut” and “Contact.” Nevertheless, the slower, candy observe, “My Manner,” becoming for an end-of-movie montage. The lyrics, “Like a firework showin’ up over your city / Even when all of it burns out / I did it my manner,” appear to be a favourite amongst the group.
Sophia, Lara, Yoonchae, Megan, Daniela, and Manon hug onstage as HYBE X Geffen Data reveal remaining members of KATSEYE.
ivien Killilea/Getty Photos for HYBE x Geffen Data
Daniela emphasizes that she relates closely with the tune, notably her lyrics “Thick hair / Large curls and so they all stare / Yeah, I attempted to slot in your field of pink Barbie dolls / Discovered I nonetheless couldn’t win all of them.”
“I used to be at all times a brand new lady, and I used to be at all times attempting to slot in. I by no means had a bunch of girlfriends ever, and no person actually accepted me for the way in which I used to be, so I did attempt to change up my appears to be like and the way I acted,” the 20-year-old says. “Wanting again, I’ve discovered that that shouldn’t be the case and that I must be myself and embrace myself, embrace my pure curly hair. I believe I made the group due to who I’m, and I would like to really embrace that.”
Megan can be drawn to the tune. “The lyrics inform all of our tales collectively so superbly and particularly. ‘By no means wish to do what I’m advised / Even when I mess all of it up and make 1,000,000 errors,’ I really feel like that’s at all times been my life motto,” the 18-year-old says, saying she has at all times needed to be taught her personal classes. “Simply rising up and being a lady, you simply wish to be taught your personal errors and be taught your personal lifestyle,” she provides.
KATSEYE has a number of musical inspirations together with Beyoncé (Manon) and M.I.A. (Lara). “My dad used to name me Beyoncé. I used to be so obsessed,” Manon laughs, saying she loves to look at the Grammy-winning artist’s Netflix documentary Homecoming. “As a brand new artist, it’s so inspiring, and it offers me loads of motivation. Her work ethic is unmatched, and she or he does nice issues. That’s why she’s been related within the business for therefore lengthy.”
Lara cites M.I.A’s impression on music as why she counts the singer as an affect. “As a brown lady, she was type of the primary South Asian artist within the media that was capable of actually make an affect,” the 18-year-old provides. “She actually helped me discover my confidence and to be unapologetically myself and never at all times should be fairly, simply being myself and being uncooked.”
Wanting in direction of the long run, KATSEYE has a transparent imaginative and prescient for themselves and the way they need the world to see the lady group. “Certainly one of our large, large issues is that we wish to present our variety,” Manon explains. “I believe it’s such a stupendous factor about our group that each younger lady can take a look at our group and see herself in us as a result of we’re so various and completely different.”
The 22-year-old provides: “We at all times needed to have that rising up, so it simply seems like a dream residing that out.”