{"id":50838,"date":"2025-07-09T07:41:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T07:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/50838\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T07:41:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T07:41:16","slug":"katseye-on-beautiful-chaos-putting-popstar-academy-in-the-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/50838\/","title":{"rendered":"KATSEYE on \u2018Beautiful Chaos,\u2019 Putting Popstar Academy in the Past"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tBeautiful Chaos is not only the title of KATSEYE<\/a>\u2019s sophomore EP, but perhaps a perfect way to describe the last year in the lives of the girl group.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn June 2024, KATSEYE \u2014 formed by K-pop giant Hybe and Geffen Records through a music<\/a> competition series, Dream Academy \u2014 released their aptly named first single, \u201cDebut.\u201d Now, a year later, the global girl group has returned with their follow-up EP, Beautiful Chaos, landing their first Billboard 200 top 10 (No. 4) and two spots on the Hot 100 chart. They also announced their first tour Tuesday morning, with stops across North America.<\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s been a year of growth for the group \u2014 comprising members Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae \u2014 who gained early recognition from a Netflix documentary, Popstar Academy, that chronicled their journey from pop hopefuls to global stars. It\u2019s also been a year of adjustment. \u201cThere\u2019s been times where I just went out and didn\u2019t do my makeup, didn\u2019t do my hair, and I\u2019m just like, no one\u2019s going to recognize me,\u201d Megan tells The Hollywood Reporter on a Zoom.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI totally forget that I have pink hair and you\u2019re going to see [me],\u201d she jokingly adds. \u201cThose are just things that you realize over time and just figure out.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tBelow, KATSEYE speaks with THR about their new singles \u201cGnarly\u201d and \u201cGabriella,\u201d how their song \u201cMean Girls\u201d tells the story you didn\u2019t get to see on TV and why they\u2019re trying to log off.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cGnarly\u201d has been gaining a lot of traction, which is really exciting. Were you expecting that? Do you think people got it immediately?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> To be honest, I feel like when we heard \u201cGnarly\u201d \u2026 we couldn\u2019t predict if people would love it or hate it. You never know and you can never predict that, but I think we knew and had a feeling that it would be very widespread and there would be a lot of eyes and ears on it because it\u2019s just so jarring and so different. I think we knew that it would make some sort of movements and make waves in a way. The love that we\u2019re receiving\u2026 You can never predict if people are really going to like something, so I think because they do, we\u2019re so honored and so grateful for that. It\u2019s been crazy to see how much it\u2019s blown up, and the new eyes on KATSEYE and the love that people are giving us.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tLara, 19, for the group\u2019s album, \u2018Beautiful Chaos.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJulian Song\/Hybe x Geffen Records<\/p>\n

\n\tWhy was it important for the first track to be released from this EP to be so different than the music you made before?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> One of our goals as KATSEYE is to constantly evolve and show different sides of us, and we never want to stick to one thing. I think the one thing we want to stick to is our uniqueness. The special thing about KATSEYE is our diversity, and it\u2019s not just about our cultures, but it\u2019s also about our artistry and our personalities and even our sound. We want the Eyekons [KATSEYE\u2019s fanbase] to expect different versions of KATSEYE, and each version is always going to be very true to ourselves, the six of us individually, which is why I know that as much as \u201cGnarly\u201d was very jarring, it is a part of us and you just haven\u2019t seen that side of us. Especially because we\u2019re so new.<\/p>\n

\n\tCan you tell me a bit about Beautiful Chaos and how you\u2019re feeling about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> I would say Beautiful Chaos is darker than SIS, melodically, visually, [in its] choreography, everything. It\u2019s just a little bit more mature, I would say. Every single song is very different from one another [but] we\u2019re cohesive within the Beautiful Chaos world. There\u2019s kind of a journey through the EP, the order, everything about it. There\u2019s a journey. The lyrics are very much acknowledging where we\u2019re at right now as KATSEYE, and how it feels to be us, our perspective with the fans. I think we are all super, super, super excited. It is very chaotic.<\/p>\n

\n\tIt seemed like you all were really excited about \u201cGabriela\u201d coming out. Can you tell me about the song?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tDANIELA<\/strong> We\u2019re super excited. I especially am because I get to be more in touch with my Latin American people, but it\u2019s just something that we\u2019ve never done before. It\u2019s a different vibe. It\u2019s a different style of dance too that people haven\u2019t seen. It\u2019s definitely sexier, sassier than anything we\u2019ve ever done, and I think people will love it. Sonically and the choreography. I\u2019m hoping people will like it.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tDaniela, 21, for the group\u2019s album \u2018Beautiful Chaos.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJulian Song\/Hybe x Geffen Records<\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAN<\/strong> Especially with it being a longer song too. People have been asking for that for a while, so finally we\u2019re giving them a longer song.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cMean Girls\u201d might be my favorite song on the EP. I know you\u2019re all pretty online, and there were many conversations about your relationships with one another after Popstar Academy came out. Can you tell me about the song? How does \u201cMean Girls\u201d fit into that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> I\u2019d say that this song is what you said, it\u2019s almost our response to the journey that we\u2019ve had so far, especially with being in the public eye, and having a whole documentary come out about us and showing a story that is a glimpse of what we went through. Emphasis on glimpse. As much as it is a whole storytelling experience, it isn\u2019t everything. That led to a lot of people thinking that they saw everything and having all these misconceptions and [there was] so much chatter on social media and [people were] just saying all of these things without actually knowing who we are. As much as they do know such a big part of us, it\u2019s still not everything. You literally just saw eight hours of a whole three-year-long journey. That\u2019s one night\u2019s sleep. You can\u2019t say you know everything about us. [The song] is kind of us just saying, whatever you think of us, whatever you think of anybody, it is just like, girl, bless you. Just letting it be and knowing how we are and almost acknowledging everything, but kind of acknowledging it with grace and kindness. Just being like, well, if that\u2019s what you think, then that\u2019s what you think. But that\u2019s the beauty of that song and all of our other songs in the EP is that it can be interpreted in any way that you want.<\/p>\n

\n\tMANON<\/strong> What I think is so beautiful about \u201cMean Girls\u201d is that it\u2019s a song that uplifts and supports girls in every version of themselves. Being a girl or a woman can be really tough at times. We\u2019re constantly navigating expectations, judgments and double standards. There\u2019s so much pressure to fit into boxes that were never made for us in the first place, so creating a song like \u201cMean Girls\u201d felt important because it reminds girls that they\u2019re not alone and that there\u2019s strength in choosing kindness over competition. It\u2019s about building each other up and not tearing each other down.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tManon, 23, for the group\u2019s album, \u2018Beautiful Chaos.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJulian Song\/Hybe x Geffen Records<\/p>\n

\n\tLast time we spoke<\/a>, it was the day the documentary came out, so things were fresh. In the year since, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to put some of what you were struggling with or had been working out to bed? Are you able to close that chapter of your life or do you still feel that it fits into your journey as a group now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> I feel we have understood how to handle things like that much better. This year \u2014 as we grow as KATSEYE, we\u2019re doing more and more and more things together \u2014 I think we have started to become one. We act the same way. We handle things the same way. I feel like we have started to lean on each other a lot more when we\u2019re in situations like that. Nobody else understands us the way the six of us will [understand] each other. I feel like we have truly become each other\u2019s support system, 100 percent, when it comes to handling things like that and emotions like that and what people say online. Something that I\u2019ve personally learned recently, there has been so much chatter online that I need to create more and not consume so much of it.<\/p>\n

\n\tI\u2019ve learned what those people say \u2014 A, it\u2019s not real. B, it\u2019s not for my eyes, and it\u2019s not for me to see. It\u2019s not normal to have so many people having so many crazy opinions about you. I feel like all six of us have experienced that in our own way. Then as a group, we\u2019ve experienced a lot of chatter and a lot of hate, so we\u2019re learning how to take a step back and not consume it as much and let them talk amongst themselves. Then we [can] create everything in the way that we want to do it, and people can think whatever they want to think.<\/p>\n

\n\tThat\u2019s a very healthy approach. In a way that many groups don\u2019t get to, you\u2019ve been able to take a truly global approach. In addition to your American promotions, you\u2019ve performed on Korean music shows and in the Philippines. You\u2019ve really been able to highlight your individual cultures in a special way. What has that experience been like?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> I would say that we\u2019re truly grateful that we get to benefit from the world pretty much, being able to promote everywhere. I think the most beautiful thing about it is that \u2014 based on what we\u2019ve done so far and the places that we\u2019ve been to, because we all have different pieces of us around the world \u2014 we get to connect in a different way, in a very special way. Just like you said, we promote here in America. A lot of us have our lives here in America, and so we get to connect with them. When we went to the Philippines, I got to connect with my hometown and all of the people there. When we go to Korea. \u2026 Each person has a connection to anywhere we\u2019re going to touch in the world, and I think that creates a special bond between us and the fans, which makes it even more fun to do our job and to promote our music. I think that\u2019s something that\u2019s so beautiful. That\u2019s literally the whole point of this.<\/p>\n

\n\tWe wanted to make a group that was so passionate about music, and at the same time, you get to see yourself in us in the group. It\u2019s not just about that, it\u2019s also about how we connect with the fans. I think that\u2019s the best part about it, and that\u2019s why we want to touch different areas of the world throughout our career. We want to promote everywhere, and we\u2019re so grateful to have promoted in so many places already. I literally just saw\u2026 Do you know that trend on TikTok that\u2019s like, \u201cDun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun?\u201d I see people [saying] KATSEYE come to Europe. KATSEYE come to\u2026 I literally saw that, it was just on my \u2018For You\u2019 page. People are like, come here, come here. Why are you not coming here?<\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> And we will.<\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> We will, trust me. We will, we have to. Manon is from Europe. We have to go, and we will. I think that\u2019s something that makes us really excited for a lot of things.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tSophia, 22, for the group\u2019s album, \u2018Beautiful Chaos.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n\tYou\u2019ve spent so much time together and have been working so closely with one another. How has the last year been for you in terms of building teamwork with one another and finding your groove as the six of you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tDANIELA<\/strong> I definitely think that we have gotten much, much, much closer throughout the year. The years actually. We live with each other, so we\u2019ve learned a lot about each other and how to communicate and just work with each other. We\u2019re all so, so different. But we\u2019re sisters and we love each other. We\u2019ll bicker here and there, but we figure it out because we know that we have to because we\u2019re one team. Whether it\u2019s work-related or not work-related, we always figure things out and are always super honest and open with each other because we love each other. But I think our dynamic is super, super strong, and it just keeps getting stronger throughout the years. We keep finding out things about each other.<\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> To add to that too, one of the biggest [pieces of] advice that we get from almost all artists that have been in groups is communication. As simple as it is, it actually is a complex thing. It\u2019s something that we are constantly trying to figure out. We figured out how to communicate with each other, but we\u2019re also constantly trying to find better ways to communicate. That\u2019s our main goal. It\u2019s the perfect solution to anything. Every single time we\u2019re like, uh, you know what? Let\u2019s just not acknowledge [it], sweep it under the rug. We\u2019re always going to encourage each other to communicate because we always feel so much better after that. I think that really is the best advice, and the best thing that you can do for a team, any team.<\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> I feel like it\u2019s having a built-in community. I feel like a lot of people are not lucky enough to have that and a lot of people search for that and long for it. Like a friend group or some sort of community and team around them that makes them feel safe, and we just kind of automatically have that. I think we got really lucky that we genuinely vibe with each other, and we\u2019re actually friends and each other. I\u2019ve also noticed recently, every little thing that happens in my life outside of KATSEYE, [in my] personal life, these girls are the first people I have to tell. I\u2019m always blowing up the group chat [sharing] just every little thing that happens, every detail. They\u2019re the people that have to know and truly my bestest friends. This year we\u2019ve really, really developed that.<\/p>\n

\n\tHow do you find time for self-care amidst busy schedules? What does that look like for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAN<\/strong> During our personal time, or at least for me personally, I love surrounding myself with people that bring me up and bring positivity into my life. I always surround myself with friends and even us, as each other. We all hang out and have nothing to do with work, just fun. Or if we have personal time and we\u2019ve just worked so much, long hours, I try to sleep as much as I can. I do a face mask or take a long shower and just take the day for myself. I feel like those are the best days, and then the next day I feel so rejuvenated and fresh and have energy.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tYoonchae, 17, for the group\u2019s album, \u2018Beautiful Chaos.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJulian Song\/Hybe x Geffen Records<\/p>\n

\n\tYOONCHAE<\/strong> When we have off day, I turn every light off, [pull the] curtains closed and just sleep in the dark.<\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> She hibernates. (Laughs).<\/p>\n

\n\tYOONCHAE<\/strong> I wake up really late, eat really good food and watch Netflix shows. That\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n

\n\tDo you guys find it hard to turn work off when you\u2019re with one another or spending time in non-work hours?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tALL<\/strong> Yes!<\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> It feels impossible sometimes.<\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> It\u2019s actually impossible. I think with this job that we have, it\u2019s literally our lifestyle. I think that just explains it. It\u2019s a job that you can\u2019t just come home and just be able to turn off. This is actually our life and every single part of this is related to what we do. Literally in my downtime, what Yoonchae said, we love to be in bed and watch shows, but at the same time I\u2019m talking to fans on Weverse. It\u2019s just a lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAN<\/strong> Or even when we go out, I can\u2019t just go out looking ugly. (Laughs). I want to be cute\u2026 A lot of the times we get recognized, and I want to be cute for the pictures. (Laughs). It actually takes time.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tMegan, 19, for the group\u2019s album, \u2018Beautiful Chaos.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJulian Song\/Hybe x Geffen Records<\/p>\n

\n\tThere\u2019s definitely a level of anonymity you lose when you\u2019re in the public eye. Have you found that hard to adjust to?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tMANON<\/strong> Adjusting to fame has definitely had its challenges. As a Black woman, I do feel like I\u2019m held to a different standard at times, like there\u2019s this pressure to be perfect or to carry more than just my own story and that can feel really heavy. On top of that, I\u2019m still learning how much of my life I want to keep private and how much I\u2019m comfortable sharing with the world, which has been a tricky balance to figure out. But even with all of that, the love I receive makes it so worth it. When fans come up to me in public and say the kindest things\u2026 it really hits me. I have so much deep love for the people who support me and the girls. They don\u2019t even realize how much they give me back.<\/p>\n

\n\tHow do you want the world to see KATSEYE? <\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\tLARA<\/strong> Iconic and legendary. But when I say that, I don\u2019t mean to be vague. I feel like we just want people to see us as a group that has a very, very strong impact and [who] actually made waves within pop culture, music, fashion, everything. We want to be the one. The one.<\/p>\n

\n\tSOPHIA<\/strong> She literally said the word that came to my head: impact. I think that that\u2019s what we want to do. We really want to make a mark.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Beautiful Chaos is not only the title of KATSEYE\u2019s sophomore EP, but perhaps a perfect way to describe…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":50839,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[171,16147,975,38290,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-50838","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-katseye","10":"tag-music","11":"tag-person-of-interest","12":"tag-united-states","13":"tag-unitedstates","14":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114822151531391408","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50838"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50838\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50839"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}