Six girls, four countries, one dream. From Seoul, South Korea, to Los Angeles, California, fans are tuning in for a new kind of music. K-pop has crossed cultural boundaries before, but Katseye is taking it a step further, representing artists from multiple countries and a fan base that spans continents.
Formed through Hybe Corporation Labels (HYBE) and Geffen Records, the girl group isn’t limited by geography or language; blending their voices, styles, and stories from across the globe, proving that music has no borders. For years, the K-pop industry has grown, characterized by its unique, polished performances and Korean identity; however, Katseye is changing the look. As the first true global girl group created from K-pop artist development methodologies, Katseye is challenging what “K-pop” really means.
Katseye’s success hasn’t just been measured in numbers and awards; it’s also reflected in how people perceive them. Fans have noticed how Katseye’s global identity changes stereotypes in the industry. Their rise has started conversations about what defines K-pop in today’s world and how music can bridge cultural gaps.
Sophomore Constance Roquemore shared how the group has changed the way people around the world view K-pop.
“They’ve changed people’s view of K-pop globally,” said Roquemore. “Before, there was a stereotype of how K-pop groups should be, but Katseye debuted, and they’ve shown another side of pop groups. They stand out because they are very synchronized in everything they do, like dancing and vocals.”
Roquemore first discovered the group from their Netflix documentary, Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. A on the path that was taken to create the iconic global girl group, 20 women fighting to debut with only six making the final cut.
“They’re inspiring and their music gives you the energy boost that you need.” Said Roquemore.
For Roquemore, Katseye’s strength during their intense training and their teamwork make them not just deserving performers, but also role models who represent global unity through their music.
From their debut in June 2024, Katseye has grown increasingly, redefining what a K-pop group can look like and how they’re different from other groups. Their first EP, Soft Is Strong (SIS), launched them into the industry, with approximately 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify by September 2024. By mid-2025, they had surpassed 30 million monthly listeners, a milestone achieved by very few girl groups so early in their careers. Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, has gathered over 700 million streams on Spotify by October 2025, demonstrating not only speed but also sustainability in their streaming success.
What makes them non-traditional is how they come from multinational and multilingual backgrounds, changing what K-pop could mean, while still maintaining strong visual and performance elements. Their live performances and appearances at major international festivals, such as Lollapalooza (Chicago) and Summer Sonic (Japan), as well as their upcoming Beautiful Chaos Tour across North America, mark important milestones in their global outreach. By actively engaging fans through social media and digital platforms, they’ve built a global fandom (Eyekons). This approach bypasses old boundaries and reflects how pop culture operates across continents, languages, and media. Their success is increasingly based on how they reframed the world of pop groups for a new streaming era.
Freshman Sahvanna Hammond had a more neutral but thoughtful view of Katseye’s rise.
“Katseye has changed people’s views because, since they’ve been formed, I think K-pop has become more popular,” said Hammond
Hammond explained that while she doesn’t think their success “hurts or helps anyone,” she recognizes that “they’re just a well-known group” for their talent and diversity. She also noticed the group’s optimistic and confident music and admired how much they’ve accomplished as a new group. “Their songs deserve the fame,” she added, pointing out how quickly Katseye has made an impact in the pop industry. Her balanced view shows how even those who aren’t major fans can see the group’s influence and accomplishments in shaping a more global and inclusive version of pop culture.
