KATEYE is dominating social media after a fiery dance performance of “Gnarly” during their Beautiful chaos tour. Clips from the stage quickly went viral across multiple short video platforms, sparking comparisons to top K-pop girl groups, especially BLACKPINK. Fans praised not only the high-energy choreography and music, but also KATEYEThe stage presence and confidence in handling bold outfits whilst maintaining professionalism.
During the show, the members wore daring outfits with gem-encrusted bras and ultra-short pants, perfectly complementing their synchronized dance moves. The routine included sharp hip movements, rotations and even twerking, performed with the precision and attitude of Western pop, making the stage electrifying.
Fans highlighted the combination of athletic physique, dancing skills and stage control as factors behind the performance’s viral success.
This explosive energy has led many fans to confront each other KATEYE with BLACKPINKdetecting it KATEYETraining can have an advantage in dance performance and overall body aesthetics. The group members possess an athletic, Western-style physique, suitable for strong and sexy choreography, while BLACKPINK‘s bold outfits sometimes spark controversy despite similar stylistic intentions.
Debut in June 2024 through the reality program The debut: Dream Academya collaboration between HYBE and Geffen, KATEYE was positioned from the beginning as a global girl group rather than a traditional K-pop idol group. The six-member lineup includes Sophia (Philippines), Yoonchae (South Korea), Manon (Switzerland) and three Americans: Lara, Megan and Daniela. This multinational setup and hybrid musical style that blends Western pop with K-pop helped them immediately reach an international audience.
2025 marked a turning point for KATEYE with the worldwide success of “Gnarly” and “Gabriela”. In September, the group surpassed 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify, a rare feat for a girl group that has been active for just over a year. THE Beautiful chaos The EP surpassed 700 million streams, “Gnarly” reached nearly 200 million streams in 113 days, and “Gabriela” surpassed 394 million streams in just over three months. Both songs entered the Billboard Global 200, the UK Singles Chart and numerous Asian digital charts, consolidating KATEYEas a global contender.
An important milestone came with their two 2026 Grammy nominations: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, with “Gabriela” competing with songs like Golden by K-Pop Demon Hunters and APP. by Rosé & Bruno Mars. KATEYE joins international names such as Olivia Dean and Alex Warren, a first for a debuting K-pop group. BLACKPINK has yet to receive a Grammy nomination as a group, highlighting KATEYEit is an unprecedented result.
KATEYE they have also made their mark on international stages such as Lollapalooza and the VMAs, earning recognition for their creativity and performance artistry. At the VMAs, they were nominated for MTV Push Performance of the Year with Touch and Best Group, winning their first Moonman trophy, signaling their potential to break into the US music awards circuit.
With a rapidly growing fandom and support from HYBE and Universal Music Group, KATEYE is now seen as the next global girl group ready to rival BLACKPINK.
Sources: K14
