KATSEYE’s Popularity Under the Microscope: “Are They Really That Popular?”
A recent post on the popular Korean online forum Pann Nate has gone viral, sparking intense debate over the popularity and current standing of KATSEYE, the global girl group formed through HYBE and Geffen Records’ high-profile joint survival project, The Debut: Dream Academy.
Since their official debut, KATSEYE has positioned itself as a group designed for international success, featuring a lineup of diverse members from different countries and backed by major industry players. However, it appears not everyone is convinced of their domestic and global reach — at least, not according to one skeptical user.
In the now-viral post, the original poster (OP) uploaded a screenshot from one of KATSEYE’s recent Studio Choom performances. Along with the image, the user expressed surprise at the group’s apparent popularity, questioning whether they truly have a strong fanbase in either Korea or abroad. Did they use to be this popular?? I’m seriously curious — don’t they barely have any presence whether it’s in Korea or the U.S.?
The OP continued by comparing KATSEYE’s performance metrics with those of more established acts, saying, “I went to check out (G)I-DLE’s new song on Studio Choom and saw the view count and was like, ‘Huh??’ lol.”
Many were quick to step in and defend the group, emphasizing their growing popularity on a global scale:
- When you watch their stage, there’s a certain vibe you don’t get from Korean idols. It’s fresh, powerful, and their facial expressions are seriously amazing lol.
- I heard this song is going to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The only Korean artists who made it onto the Hot 100 this year are Jennie and J-Hope lol. Looks like it already blew up overseas.
- “Touch” was a good song and got some attention, and with their comeback performance being so good, the reaction really exploded.
- Honestly, I didn’t think much of them at first, but the song’s addictive and their on-stage energy has a freshness you don’t usually see from the typical pretty K-pop idols.
- This song is doing pretty well.
In essence, the post unintentionally opened a broader conversation about how K-pop popularity is measured today — and how global acts like KATSEYE are reshaping traditional ideas of what success looks like in the industry.
