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Katseye

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Sophia Laforteza)
For other uses of "Cat's eye", see Cat's eye (disambiguation).

Katseye
Katseye in September 2024
From left to right: Lara, Yoonchae, Daniela, Manon, Megan, and Sophia.
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California
Years active2024 (2024)–present
Labels
Members
  • Manon
  • Sophia
  • Daniela
  • Lara
  • Megan
  • Yoonchae
Websitekatseye.world

Katseye (pronounced "cat's eye"; stylized in all caps) is a girl group based in Los Angeles, California. The group is composed of six members: Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae. With members from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States, the sextet is often described as a "global girl group".

Katseye was formed through the 2023 reality show Dream Academy, a collaboration between Hybe Corporation and Geffen Records. They debuted in June 2024 with the single "Debut", which was followed by their breakthrough single "Touch". They released their first extended play (EP), SIS (Soft Is Strong), later that year.

Name

[edit]
Logo used prior to debut.

In an interview with InStyle, the group leader, Sophia, explained that the group's name was inspired by the gemstone chrysoberyl, popularly known as cat's eye. The gemstone's ability to reflect different colors at various angles were chosen to represent the members' varied personalities, talents, and multinational backgrounds.[1]

The group's name was originally intended to be "Catseye," but during an interview with LA radio 102.7 KIIS FM, Daniela revealed that Lara suggested changing the spelling to "Katseye;" the group eventually agreed, saying that the new spelling "looked cooler".[2]

History

[edit]

Pre-debut activities and formation

[edit]
Main article: Dream Academy

In November 2021, Hybe and Geffen Records opened their applications for a girl group with "contestants from around the world" as part of the joint venture Hybe x Geffen Records.[3] With auditions held across South Korea, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom in 2022, the partnership aimed to create a group that will "transcend national, cultural, and artistic boundaries".[4][5] In an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily, Hybe founder Bang Si-hyuk expressed his intentions to promote the resultant group to the American market.[6]

From over 120,000 applicants, twenty contestants were selected to compete in the reality show Dream Academy, which determined the six-member lineup of the girl group through a series of "missions".[7] Prior to the series premiere, the contestants were trained for a year in Los Angeles, California, through methods prevalent in the Korean idol trainee system.[8] Premiering on August 19, 2023, the competition concluded on November 18, with Sophia Laforteza, Lara Rajagopalan, Yoonchae Jeung, Megan Skiendiel, Daniela Avanzini, and Manon Bannerman being selected to form the girl group Katseye.[9]

2024–present: SIS (Soft Is Strong) and Pop Star Academy: Katseye

[edit]
Logo used during promotions for SIS (Soft is Strong).

Katseye's formation and their preparations for their debut EP were serialized in the documentary Pop Star Academy: Katseye, which premiered on August 21, 2024.[10][11][12] Distributed by Netflix, the documentary was directed by Nadia Hallgren.[13][14] The release of the group's first extended play was set for August 2024,[15][16] following the release of two singles in June and July.[17][18] For the EP, Katseye collaborated with several songwriters and producers, including Ryan Tedder and Omer Fedi.[19][20]

The first of the two singles for the EP, "Debut", was released on June 28, with a music video filmed in Medellín, Colombia, directed by Gregory Ohrel.[21][22] The single is an upbeat pop track that explores themes of confidence and sisterhood in reference to the members' bond as a group.[19] It was met with a lukewarm response commercially, with the music video for the single receiving 2.33 million views in three days, underperforming the viewership of music releases of Korean acts in a similar timeframe.[23]

The second single, "Touch", was released on July 26.[24] The melodic drum and bass R&B track discusses the "complexity of love" and deviates from the sound of "Debut", emphasizing the members' vocals.[25][26][27] The single ranked at number 22 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and entered the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart.[28][29] "Touch" attained further success after its choreography went viral as a dance challenge on the video-sharing platform TikTok in September 2024.[30][31][32]

The full EP, titled SIS (Soft Is Strong), was released on August 16.[33][34] With five tracks, the EP debuted at number 119 on the Billboard 200 as Katseye landed atop the Emerging Artists chart.[35] In support of the EP, the group embarked on an Asian tour, which began in Seoul, South Korea, on September 12.[36][37] Megan would refrain from touring from September 21, owing to her back injury.[38] On November 14, Katseye released "Flame", the theme song for the Netflix animated series Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld.[39]

Public image

[edit]

Katseye has cited the Pussycat Dolls, Spice Girls, and Le Sserafim as musical influences.[40] In an interview with the British magazine i-D, member Daniela described Katseye as the first American girl group "to make American pop music but trained to do the crazy choreography of K-pop". Manon also noted the diversity of the group's line-up, with Lara, Sophia, Daniela, and herself as the first Indian, Filipina, Latina, and Black artists respectively to be signed under Hybe.[41] Prior to the group's debut, Teen Vogue named Katseye as one of twelve "Girl Groups to Watch in 2024".[42]

On October 29, 2024, Katseye shared content from a photoshoot featuring themselves in costume as fairy characters of the animated television Winx Club for the year's Halloween, earning a spot on Teen Vogue's list of "The Best Halloween Celebrity Costumes of 2024."[43]

Members

[edit]

Adapted from Katseye's official website.[44]

  • Manon
  • Sophia – leader[45]
  • Daniela
  • Lara
  • Megan
  • Yoonchae

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[46] 		BEL
(FL)
[47] 		BEL
(WA)
[47] 		CRO
[48] 		FRA
[49] 		KOR
[50] 		SCO
[51] 		UK
Sales
[52]
SIS (Soft Is Strong) 119 91 103 39 78 27 58 45

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Bub.
[55] 		US
Pop
[56] 		CAN
[57] 		KOR
[58] 		MLY
[59] 		NZ
Hot
[60] 		PHL
[61] 		SGP
[62] 		TWN
[63] 		WW
[64]
"Debut" 2024 — — — —[A] — — — — — — SIS (Soft Is Strong)
"Touch" 22 79 32 70 9 16 13 5 17 58
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances

[edit]
List of soundtracks, showing year released, and name of the album
Title Year Album
"Flame" 2024 Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld OST

Videography

[edit]

Music videos

[edit]
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"Debut" 2024 Gregory Ohrel [21]
"Touch" Cody Critcheloe [66]

Other videos

[edit]
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"My Way Lyric Film" 2024 Lumpens [67]
"I'm Pretty Lyric Film" Rahul Batt [68]
"Tonight I Might Lyric Film" [69]

Filmography

[edit]

Reality shows

[edit]
Year Title Notes Ref.
2023 Dream Academy Survival show determining Katseye's members [6]
2024 Pop Star Academy: Katseye Documentary on the group's debut preparation [70]

Accolades

[edit]

Listicles

[edit]
Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Teen Vogue 2024 12 Girl Groups to Watch in 2024 Placed [42]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Debut" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 194 on the Circle Download Chart.[65]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ McNally, Danielle; Sheeler, Jason (September 25, 2024). "KATSEYE Prepares for Global Domination". InStyle. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "KATSEYE On Their Dream Collaborations, Life After Their Debut, and Paranormal Encounters" (video). YouTube. 102.7KIISFM. September 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Aniftos, Rania (August 28, 2023). "Meet the 20 Finalists for HYBE x Geffen 'Dream Academy' Global Girl Group Contest". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Yeo, Gladys (August 25, 2023). "HYBE and Geffen Records to form new girl group through audition programme". NME. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Dong, Sung-hwa (August 29, 2023). "HYBE, Geffen Records to launch new girl group". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Shin, Min-hee (August 25, 2023). "HYBE to host 'The Debut: Dream Academy' to recruit new girl group members". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  7. ^ Morin, Natalie (November 13, 2023). "Meet the Wildly Talented Members of KATSEYE, HYBE x Geffen's Newest Girl Group". Netflix. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Daly, Rhian (January 11, 2024). "KATSEYE: how HYBE and Geffen's new girl group are merging K-pop and western pop to become a truly global act". NME. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  9. ^ Zee, Michaela (November 18, 2023). "Hybe, Geffen Records Unveil New Girl Group Katseye". Variety. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  10. ^ Wickes, Hanna (June 7, 2024). "KATSEYE Netflix Documentary 'Pop Star Academy': Release Date". J-14. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Hybe's new girl band 'KATSEYE' unveiled". Yonhap. November 18, 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023 – via The Korea Times.
  12. ^ Meek, Andy (July 30, 2024). "K-pop fans, you've got two new streaming series to check out in August". BGR. Retrieved July 31, 2024 – via MSN.
  13. ^ Zee, Michaela (November 18, 2023). "Hybe, Geffen Records Unveil New Girl Group Katseye". Variety. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  14. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (November 18, 2023). "HYBE, Geffen Records Announce Finalists for New K-Pop Girl Group KATSEYE". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "K-pop girl group Katseye ready for US debut". The Star. June 18, 2024. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Borneo Bulletin Online.
  16. ^ Kim, Min-young (June 14, 2024). "HYBE, Geffen Records to debut new girl group Katseye on June 28". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  17. ^ Ahn, Tae-hyun (June 14, 2024). '하이브 美 걸그룹' 캣츠아이, 28일 데뷔 확정...글로벌 팬심 정조준 ['Hybe American girl group' Katseye confirms debut on the 28th...Aiming at global fans]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Lee, Jae-hoon (June 14, 2024). 하이브 글로벌 걸그룹 '캣츠아이', 28일 데뷔...첫 싱글 발매 [Hybe global girl group 'Katseye' debuts on the 28th...First single released]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Delgado, Sara (June 28, 2024). "How New Girl Group KATSEYE Grew From Dream to Debut". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Jae-heun, Kim (July 2, 2024). "Katseye, Hybe's first multinational K-pop girl group, off to disappointing start". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "HYBE's global girl group Katseye launches with debut single". The Korea Times. June 28, 2024. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  22. ^ Lim, Aubrey Shane (June 28, 2024). "WATCH: Sophia Laforteza's group KATSEYE releases first single 'Debut'". Philstar Life. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Jae-heun, Kim (July 2, 2024). "Katseye, Hybe's first multinational K-pop girl group, off to disappointing start". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  24. ^ Kim, Min-young (July 23, 2024). "Girl group Katseye to release second single 'Touch' on Friday". koreajoongangdaily.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  25. ^ "Get To Know KATSEYE: The Global Girl Group Styled After K-Pop Superstars | GRAMMY.com". GRAMMY. Archived from the original on August 21, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  26. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (June 28, 2024). "KATSEYE Long For Connection In Second Single "Touch" – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  27. ^ "HYBE's new idol group KATSEYE officially debuts in 'M Countdown'". Osen (in Korean). September 12, 2024. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via The Chosun Daily.
  28. ^ Felipe, MJ (September 18, 2024). "KATSEYE is in Manila". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  29. ^ Lee, Jian (September 18, 2024). "Katseye's 'Touch' enters Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot chart". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Chong, Glenda (September 9, 2024). "Strength and Softness in One but Over Too Soon: A Review of KATSEYE's Debut EP — SIS (Soft Is Strong)". DANAMIC. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  31. ^ Felipe, MJ (September 18, 2024). "KATSEYE is in Manila". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Morgan, Clove (September 17, 2024). "Girl Groups Aren't Just Coming Back: They're Going Global". CR Fashion Book. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  33. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (June 28, 2024). "KATSEYE Make Their Official "Debut", Announce First EP 'SIS (Soft Is Strong)'". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  34. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (July 1, 2024). "HYBE's KATSEYE to drop first EP 'SIS (Soft Is Strong)' in August". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  35. ^ Yoon, So-yeon (September 11, 2024). "K-pop's most diverse newcomers Katseye aim to push boundaries in the music scene". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  36. ^ Martinez, Gavin (September 3, 2024). "Global girl group Katseye to kick off Asia tour in September". INQUIRER.net USA. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  37. ^ Iglesias, Iza (August 31, 2024). "Multinational girl group Katseye to visit PH in Sept". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  38. ^ Hicap, Jonathan. "Girl group Katseye's Megan to skip rest of Asia promo tour due to injury". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  39. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 14, 2024). "KATSEYE's New Single 'Flame' Soundtracks 'Jentry Chau vs the Underworld' Teaser". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  40. ^ Pyo, Kyung-min (September 11, 2024). "KATSEYE aims for global appeal beyond K-pop". koreatimes. Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  41. ^ George, Tom (December 1, 2023). "Katseye are ready to be the next world-dominating girl band". i-D. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  42. ^ a b Dodson, P. Claire; Delgado, Sara; Momenian, Donya; McNab, Kaitlyn (May 24, 2024). "12 Girl Groups to Watch in 2024". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  43. ^ "The Best Halloween Celebrity Costumes of 2024, from North West to Selena Gomez". Teen Vogue. October 28, 2024.
  44. ^ "Kateyes Official Website". Katseye Official Website. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  45. ^ Bell, Crystal (August 27, 2024). "Netflix's Pop Star Academy: Meet Katseye". Paper. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  46. ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard 200:
  47. ^ a b "SIS (Soft Is Strong)". Ultratop. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  48. ^ "Lista prodaje 37. tjedan 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. September 2, 2024. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  49. ^ Peak chart positions on the SNEP Top Albums:
  50. ^ Peak chart positions on the Circle Album Chart:
  51. ^ Peak chart positions on the OCC Scottish Albums Chart:
  52. ^ Peak chart positions on the OCC UK Albums Sales Chart:
  53. ^ Cumulative Sales of SIS (Soft Is Strong):
  54. ^ Caulfield, Keith (August 29, 2024). "Foster the People Land Third Top 10 on Billboard's Album Sales Chart With 'Paradise State of Mind'". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  55. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of September 21, 2024". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  56. ^ "Pop Airplay: Week of November 16, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  57. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  58. ^ Peak chart positions on the Circle Digital Chart:
  59. ^ Peak chart positions on the RIM Chart:
  60. ^ Peak chart positions on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  61. ^ Peak chart positions on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100:
  62. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 42 (11 - 17 Oct 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  63. ^ "Taiwan Songs: Week of November 2, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  64. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of October 26, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  65. ^ "Debut". Circle Chart. June 23–29, 2024. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  66. ^ KATSEYE (캣츠아이) "Touch" Official MV (Video). July 26, 2024. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024 – via YouTube.
  67. ^ KATSEYE (캣츠아이) "My Way" Lyric Film (Video). August 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 18, 2024 – via YouTube.
  68. ^ KATSEYE (캣츠아이) "I'm Pretty" Lyric Film. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
  69. ^ KATSEYE (캣츠아이) "Tonight I Might" Lyric Film. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
  70. ^ Knapp, J. D. (August 6, 2024). "Katseye Hopefuls Get Put to the Ultimate Test in Netflix's First 'Pop Star Academy' Trailer | Video". TheWrap. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
[edit]
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