KATSEYE & Gravitating An Audience

Anicia Trejo-Flores
Sep 18
6 min read

From 'Debut', 'Touch', and 'Gnarly' it is without a doubt this six member girl group's music has been stuck in your head. Now endorsed by Monster High (Mattel), GAP, Glossier and Coach. This is how KATSEYE gravitates an audience like no other music group in the present industry.

Before KATSEYE

To understand the capability and the versatility of the group, their record label are a present factor. HYBE LABELS also the owners of iconic K-pop groups BTS, ENHYPEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, SEVENTEEN, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, (and formally NewJeans), alongside Geffen Records (Owned by Warner Bros.) are the brains of KATSEYE's creation. The groups work ethic and training was similar to K-pop group training, meaning that there were many boxes each member had to check and constantly train. Such as; Dancing, Singing, Adapting to many choreographies, visuals, and many more. Netflix's "Pop Star Academy" is the eight-episode show that explores the fierce training K-pop trainees (and potential idols) endure while also experiencing the process of elimination throughout the whole process. Over 50 women (ages between 16-22) were hand picked and "scouted" by both record labels to create the most diverse and versatile six member girl group.

KATSEYE's Official Lineup after the finale of Pop Star Academy.

One of the most unique outlooks for an American girl group arguably saved and lured many people to invest their time in not only watching the show, but following the group's activities. The Netflix series presents the many elements K-pop record labels seek for every new group they want to debut, but also how K-pop groups (and now KATSEYE) can easily lure an audience and casual listeners to their music and group promotions and activities. The lineup of KATSEYE is as follows, Sophia Laforteza (leader, vocalist), Meret Manon (center/visual, vocalist), Daniela Avanzini (main dancer), Lara Raj (main vocalist), Megan Skiendiel (main dancer, vocalist, rapper/all-rounder), Jeung Yoonchae (lead dancer, vocalist).

On paper (especially in performances), this group is a large powerhouse of everything that an audience seeks when looking for a "singing-and-dancing-group". From this alone, KATSEYE was destined to shine because of how unique they were in the American standards of music groups, while also being one of the most diverse groups in a musical group like KATSEYE. Through the K-pop lens, the group arguably has one of the most versatile and unique styles and presentation of a performing act, especially for what the audience looks for through each group, everything someone wants in a dancer, vocalist, center, or all-rounder is showcased within the group. KATSEYE is one of the most recognizable names in the pop culture world, and they will not stop rising to the top.

How the Group Allures an Audience

KATSEYE is a lively group and one of the few American girl groups who exceeds at the same levels as a K-pop group. Although, this isn't the biggest reasons to KATSEYE's success. The members genuine and honest personalities is a large contributor to many of the fans love for the group. Like always, personalities will always lure fans to follow the group but what makes the group significantly more favorable than other groups is the K-pop elements while also having the loose and outgoing feel that many K-pop groups lack or are discouraged to express in the industry.

Because their fanbase is largely K-pop stans and non-stans are scattered in the midst of their fanbase. It's a refreshing outlook to see a group fully embrace their identities and personalities without being ridiculed on social media (sorta). Even though they are owned by a K-pop record label, there are still many things the group can do that others can't. The group's elements are unmatched and heavily integrated in every performance, song, and interactions with their fans became highly alluring for people to gravitate towards the group. Their authenticity and honesty while being associated with the K-pop industry is courageous and arguably brave, this alone has shown their capability as a group and how authentic they are as public figures. I became a follower of the group after 'Pop Star Academy' because I was curious to see the execution of an American group that holds the same elements as a K-pop group. At least for me, It was unique and new to the industry to see a girl group receive recognition and praise for their hard work and effort to become a group. This is one of the many ways that KATSEYE allures an audience.

From 'Touch' to 'Gnarly' was a large change and a major difference in sound but visual concepts. 'Touch' is still one of the biggest songs the group has released and transitioning from a bubble pop style of music to 'Gnarly' that's loud and experimental was new and a great tactic for not only the group but the record labels to experiment and see how fans, casual listeners, and new fans will gravitate and respond to their music. In the beginning, 'Gnarly' was not the crowds favorited until people saw the performances for the song and the versatility of both the group and the members individually.

Individuality and Originality within KATSEYE

Each member is unique, versatile, and important to the group (like every member should be). This is not a new sighting in the music industry, but has been lost over time or not entirely displayed in the music industry as much (or as arguably public), seeing how the group has freely expressed themselves not only with their personality but being open with their sexual orientation, allowing fans and casual listeners relate and find comfort in the group more than K-pop groups and artists in the popular musical industry overall.

Every member has their own personality, culture, and background that is showcased and honored throughout their outfits, advertisements, fan art, and any fan service activity they participate in. Having a group that is culturally diverse in the modern age of not only the K-pop and American industry transitions the new age of pop culture and the music industry in the modern day. Some fans who don't actively listen to their music may follow the member because of their antics and personality outside of their musical activities, KATSEYE as a whole presents individuality and originality within one of the largest and arguably most repetitive industries in music.

How KATSEYE arrived into the public eye

One of the the group's greatest examples of presenting individuality and the important of luring an audience in is the GAP ad released almost a month ago. This ad received over 130 million views on TikTok and 69 million on Instagram, earning a combined 10 million likes on both platforms. After their release of their EP "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS", the group started on a high from their skyrocketing fame from their songs 'Gnarly', 'Gabriela', and 'Gameboy'. The time the ad was extremely divided, leaving many people having a poor taste in their mouth for future ads being released. For KATSEYE and GAP, this was a great opportunity to reel viewers in by presenting the dance ability and amazing visuals of the group.

This singular ad arguably revived excitement and the importance of promotion and creativity within advertisement and cinematic promotions. One of the most iconic advertisements of the year (in my personal opinion), has taken the internet by storm and increased KATSEYE's audience more than imaginable. The simple aspects of dancing and expressions in a 1:30 minute ad is significant on how KATSEYE can take an audience who don't actively follow the groups' activities were allured and started getting interested in what the group does, how they were formed, and the members overall.

Since then, the group has been growing in popularity and at least one person in your circle has watched the GAP ad once and probably another time after the first time. The ad is just that gravitating, whichever member you focused on the most in the music video lured you to watch another time, and the next time you'd watch you start focusing on another member until you've watched the ad enough to look at every member. KATSEYE is really that group, achieving something that many public figures are now frowned upon doing, participating in a promotional advertisement.

This is one of the many ways KATSEYE gravitates an audience time and time again.