As I delve deeper into the captivating story of KATSEYE, a group of young, talented women who embody strength and diversity, I find myself utterly inspired by their journey so far. Their teamwork and camaraderie are evident, as they’ve grown from babies navigating an intense process to strong, empowered individuals who stand by each other through thick and thin.
A year ago, I was thrilled to learn that I’d been chosen as one of six gamers for KATSEYE, the highly anticipated global girl group formed by K-pop powerhouses Hybe and Geffen Records.
Formed under the banner of an international team, its members originated from the United States, the Philippines, South Korea, and Switzerland. They were cultivated using K-pop training techniques, as showcased in the audition program known as The Debut: Dream Academy.
Nine months have passed since it was revealed that Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia, and Yoonchae were chosen for the international team. Now, KATSEYE has debuted their first EP titled “SIS (Soft Is Strong)” and is at the center of a new Netflix documentary series called “Popstar Academy: KATSEYE“.
Over the past few months, it’s been an exhilarating rollercoaster ride for us, the young lads of KATSEYE! Our ages span from 16 to 22, and we’ve been making waves in the music scene. We kicked things off with our first single, “Debut,” a potent and energetic pop anthem that embodies our youthful spirits, back in June. Then, just a month later, we dropped our second hit, “Touch,” a delightfully catchy and relaxed pop tune that has been resonating with listeners ever since.
“Daniela shared with The Hollywood Reporter that our first performance was simply fantastic. It couldn’t have been more perfect,” she said. “We had been eagerly waiting to share our music with the world and reveal KATSEYE’s identity. Needless to say, we’ve poured countless hours into creating this album.”
Last month at KCON L.A.’s third-night show, the band KATSEYE played their debut live performance as a group. The young girl group, who seemed like seasoned professionals during their performance, are still in shock about it. “We will never forget that moment,” Sophia exclaims, filled with emotion.
“That day was truly outstanding in our lives, as it marked our initial live performance as KATSEYE,” the 21-year-old elaborates, revealing that they prepared mentally for the show by practicing with simulated applause sounds.
“Sophia shared that everyone seemed fully engaged. We managed to concentrate well, and we had a clear view of all the spectators. She expressed how our intense efforts allowed us to savor the moment. It felt like it was worth all the effort, even the countless hours, because being there in the present was truly meaningful.”
As a gamer, I was determined to make an unforgettable debut and put forth my absolute best. I wanted to demonstrate, through the documentary, all the grueling training and preparations that led up to this moment, so everyone would understand that I’m serious about my craft and committed to sticking around for the long haul.
At their inaugural fan gathering on a Tuesday, the band delighted their audience. This unique opportunity allowed them to interact with their fans in a more personal environment, which marked a significant step for them. “It held great significance for us,” Yoonchae, their youngest member at 16, expresses.
The newly-released docuseries offers a revealing glimpse into the rigorous training undergone by the participants prior to joining Dream Academy. According to Daniela, it’s an incredibly intense and emotional series that left her in tears for every episode. However, she considers it a fantastic documentary.
Upon being queried if revisiting Popstar Academy moments opened up fresh perspectives on their lives, the team offers a sneak peek into their ongoing collaboration process. Sophia highlights the strong bond between KATSEYE members, noting their frequent communication and close working relationship.
Speaking about it before seeing the upcoming documentary, we all remarked, “That was us two, three years ago. We were like infants navigating through an incredibly intense, insane process.” Now, having grown significantly as part of KATSEYE and as sisters, nothing can change our current strong bond.
The initial extended play album titled “_SIS (Soft Is Strong)_” by them consists of five tunes, among which are “Debut” and “Touch.” Notably, the more leisurely, sugary-sweet track, “My Way,” is suitable for concluding a film montage. The lyrics, expressing a sentiment similar to a firework displaying over a town, even if it eventually fades away, “I did it my way,” are particularly cherished by the band’s members.
Daniela strongly identifies with the song’s lyrics, specifically “Thick hair / Big curls and they all stare / Yeah, I tried to fit in your box of pink Barbie dolls / Found I still couldn’t conform to their standards.” In simpler terms, she finds a deep connection with the song as it mirrors her experiences of not fitting into societal norms often represented by ‘pink Barbie dolls’.
“For much of my life, I felt like a stranger trying to belong. I never had a close circle of female friends, and it seemed as though no one truly appreciated me for who I was. Consequently, I frequently altered my appearance and behavior in an attempt to fit in,” the 20-year-old explains. “Reflecting on these experiences now, I understand that this wasn’t necessary, and I should have remained true to myself, cherishing my natural curly hair instead. I believe it was my authenticity that ultimately allowed me to find acceptance within the group, and it’s crucial for me to fully embrace that.”
As a fellow admirer, I can’t help but be captivated by the song too. The words in it resonate deeply with our shared narratives, painting them so vividly and personally. Lines like, “Never want to do what I’m told / Even if I mess it all up and make a million mistakes,” have always felt like my personal mantra. It seems as though this journey of self-discovery and learning from my own experiences has been my path too. As a young woman, there’s something empowering about wanting to learn from our unique set of mistakes and forge our own paths in life.
KATSEYE finds inspiration in various musical artists such as Beyoncé (identified as Manon) and M.I.A. (referred to as Lara). “Dad used to nickname me Beyoncé, I was that enamored,” Manon chuckles, expressing her admiration for the Grammy-winning artist’s Netflix documentary titled Homecoming. “As a budding artist, it’s incredibly inspiring and offers a lot of motivation. Her work ethic is unparalleled, and she consistently achieves great things. That’s why she has remained influential in the music industry for such an extended period.”
Lara acknowledges M.I.A as a significant musical influence, due to her impact on the industry. “As a woman of color, she was almost the initial South Asian artist in mainstream media to truly make an impact,” the 18-year-old notes. “She played a crucial role in helping me discover my self-assurance and embracing my authenticity without apology, simply by being myself and remaining genuine.”
Regarding their future aspirations, KATSEYE intends to express their unique identity as a girl group. As Manon puts it, “One of our major goals is to highlight our diversity.” She further adds, “I believe it’s a wonderful aspect of our team that every young girl can find herself reflected in us because we are so diverse and distinct.”
The 22-year-old remarks: “Growing up, we’ve always desired this. So, living it now feels like a dream.”
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2024-08-24 01:55