Global girl group KATSEYE has been receiving death threats online several times since its debut, drawing attention.
KATSEYE said in a BBC interview released on the 11th (local time) that the threat is spreading not only to individual members but also to their families.
“I try to tell myself that it’s okay, but if more than a thousand people send death threats, I will be shocked,” member Lara said. “It’s hard to handle even if it doesn’t actually happen.”
Lara is a U.S. citizen of Tamil Indian descent and has also suffered racist criticism, such as a false report that she lives and works illegally in the United States being filed with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
She also pointed out that the team is subject to sexist gaze and said, “People grade us as women, convert our appearance or singing and dancing skills into points and express them as percentages,” adding, “This reality is like a dystopia.”
Lara said she deleted her SNS platform X (formerly Twitter) account to escape malicious comments and online attacks. “I realized that I don’t have to be swayed by other people’s opinions,” she added.
While KATSEYE did not disclose specific examples of threats in BBC interviews, the BBC pointed out that excessive condemnation and aggressive behavior within the fan community is not uncommon.
“We’ve chosen to be in public on our own, and we know this is part of our fame,” leader Sophia said. “That doesn’t change the fact that we’re human beings.” She went on to say, “It hasn’t been long since we’ve been active, but there are already too many words for us and our family.”
Another member, Manon, added: “There are times when you feel mentally attacked.”
KATSEYE is a team formed last year through the audition program “The Debut: Dream Academy,” co-produced by HYBE America and Geffen Records under Universal Music. It consists of Manon (Switzerland), Sophia (Philippines), Daniela, Lara, Megan (USA), and Yoonchae (Korea). It was selected through auditions involving 120,000 people from around the world and debuted in the U.S. based on HYBE’s training system.
Since their debut, they have left behind numerous masterpieces such as “Touch” and “Gnarly,” and in particular, the album “BEAUTIFUL CHAOS,” which includes “Gnarly,” has achieved great results, ranking fourth in the Billboard 200.
KATSEYE, which is currently in its second year of debut, is drawing attention as it is nominated for the 68th Grammy Awards next year in two categories: “Best New Artist” and “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.”
Manon said, “I’m proud of the diversity of our team,” and added, “I want to send a message to girls around the world to accept their backgrounds and origins with confidence.”
KATSEYE will begin its first North American tour with a total of 16 performances in 13 cities from the 15th.
