Global girl group KATSEYE, a Korean-American collaboration, have spoken out about the disturbing harassment they have faced since their debut, including thousands of death threats and incidents of racist and sexist abuse.
In an interview published Tuesday by the BBC, members of the group spoke about the psychological toll of online hate. Member Lara shared that she has received “thousands of death threats” since last year, admitting that the volume of abuse has been overwhelming.
“I try to tell myself not to worry, but when 1,000 people threaten you with death, it’s impossible not to be shaken. Even if nothing happens, it’s just too much to handle,” Lara said.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
The hostility was not limited to verbal attacks. Lara revealed that she was the victim of a false report to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in which someone maliciously claimed she was residing and working in the country illegally.
In addition to the trauma, members also faced sexist comments and objectification. “People see us as women to be judged,” Lara said. “They rate our appearance, singing and dancing, then combine them into a percentage. It’s dystopian.”
Step away from social media
The incessant negativity eventually pushed Lara to delete her social media accounts. “I realized that I don’t need to live by other people’s opinions,” he explained. Colleague Manon likened the experience to a “psychological assault”.
Sophia also spoke about how fame has affected them personally. “Our career is still short, but so many harsh words have already been directed at us and our families. We know it’s part of being in the public eye, but we’re still human,” he said.
Despite the ongoing harassment, AllKPop reported that KATSEYE continues to grow in the global music scene. The group recently earned two Grammy nominations: for Best New Artist AND Best pop duo/group performance – a notable achievement in only their second year together.
Manon expressed pride in the group’s multicultural roots, stating, “I’m so proud of our diversity. I hope that every girl, regardless of her background or appearance, can feel proud of her origins.”
Lara concluded with an inspiring message for aspiring artists: “Don’t hesitate to try. Our skin and our culture are our strengths. Embrace them and make them yours.”
KATSEYE’s candid revelations highlight the dark reality of cyber abuse that many artists, particularly women and minorities, continue to face, even as they break barriers and reach historic milestones in the global entertainment industry.
Watch KATSEYE’s interview with the BBC here:
