You could describe KATSEYE’s first comeback in one word: Gnarly. The global girl group returns strong, rebranding from their girly-pop debut to their loud, sexy, explicit EP: BEAUTIFUL CHAOS. With this EP, KATSEYE makes it clear they do not fit the Korean conservative standards of their music industry. A bold, but divisive choice. Is this lack of traditional girl group censorship a good thing, or does it come with its own consequences?
The not-K-pop, K-pop girl group
To clarify, KATSEYE is not a K-pop group, but a global girl group. They consist of members Sophia, Lara, Manon, Daniela, Megan, and Yoonchae – members of all different nationalities. Their concepts then reflect more global (often western) trends and aesthetics, just like the explicit nature of their single “Gnarly”.
However, they are still trained and produced like traditional K-pop girl groups, which you can watch in their reality-survival show “Popstar Academy”. They perform in Korean music shows, and most of their fanbase comprises K-pop fans, as their company, HYBE, has produced K-pop giants like BTS, TXT, and LE SSERAFIM.
Their association with the Korean industry is what makes them so nuanced as artists. Traditionally, K-pop groups, especially girl groups, are censored in public. While that goes for any artist, Korean or not, shows not only censor their lyrics, but also their outfits, their dances, and, sometimes, entire performances.
A recent controversial example was I-DLE girl group member and soloist, MINNIE, who originally had a blindfold segment in her performance of “HER”. This censorship was on top of several edits to the much more seductive original choreography. Any viewer, fan or not, can see the lengths Korean networks and industries will go to avoid explicits, even parts integral to the original intent of the performances.
However, this does not apply to KATSEYE. Yes, networks still censor their lyrics, but everything else remains the same. This is great for the girls to fully express themselves, but it does come with its own concerns. You can see this dynamic best in performances of their most explicit song to date: “Gnarly”.
Dress to impress (at what cost?)
Let’s first talk about the styling. It’s surprising how most of the outfits shown in the original music video were kept in live performances, especially when you take note of the choreography. Most of the song showcases the girls’ bodies, which can be a problem if their clothes cover very little.
In most K-pop girl group shows, the idols often wear protective shorts underneath their actual shorts and longer tops underneath their tighter ones. While this may distract from the initial styling of these outfits, it does ensure the safety and comfort of the idols.
In KATSEYE’s case, their stylists are able to color match their shorts to keep up with their stage theme. Such styling is great for people to focus on the girls themselves, rather than the odd black sticking out of their pants. However, these shorts still ride rather high to the point that they look like underwear on stage.
It doesn’t help that performances outside of Korean networks have the girls perform in tops that are essentially bras, without any safety tops underneath to prevent accidents.
This would not be as big of an issue if KATSEYE’s choreography was more relaxed like groups with cute-concepts. But because their choreography has to match the intensity of their hyperpop single, they need to have more coverage to avoid disastrous wardrobe malfunctions. This styling sets the precedent that international girls are not entitled to the safety of K-pop girl groups.
To twerk or not to twerk
Speaking of their choreography, “Gnarly” does better to showcase their talents as dancers compared to their much more tame choreos, like in their single “Touch” and their latest hit “Gabriela”. Their choreography is able to show their strength as performers while also showing their bold side, keeping up with their overall concept.
Music shows not censoring such a vital part of the choreography is important to KATSEYE’s overall branding. If these girls are supposed to express themselves, they can’t do it without performing their song in its entirety.
Still, there’s no way to look past the choreography’s more provocative parts – just wait for the chorus. Casual viewers will not think about how hard it was to get the dance just right. Viewers will look at the girls and think they’re sexy.
Again, it doesn’t help how the “Gnarly” music video itself also has its own set of innuendos, like random moans inserted between the first verse, and a scene of a bee humping another bee. Casual viewers are probably gonna come away from this album thinking only of the idols’ sex appeal.
Is everything really Gnarly?
Obviously, being hot is the goal. There’s no getting around that. It’s literally in the song (as the girls say, “Hottie, hottie, like a bag of Takis”). That’s not a bad thing.
KATSEYE is one of the few girl groups in Korea able to openly express their sexuality. Whether people like to admit it or not, sex is a big part of a woman’s life. Being based in a conservative country, it’s hard for women to be sexually active and not judged. Having idols be proud to express it for themselves (not necessarily for men) is important in shedding light on the controversial topic.
But being one of the few successful global girl groups in Korea, people should note the consequences of painting the girls solely in a sex appealing way.
KATSEYE? You mean, Mrs. Worldwide!
KATSEYE is representing women all over the world – that’s why they are successful. They are able to showcase different cultures in a way that captures audiences’ attention. With that in mind, whatever they portray themselves as, will portray every other young woman in the world.
If KATSEYE represents themselves as provocative, it will likely cause their Korean or East Asian audiences to think all international girls are the same. If their creative directors continue to push for potentially uncomfortable clothes and concepts, audiences will think that’s how international girls should be treated.
Being explicit and provocative are not necessarily bad things, especially if it helps a girl express herself better. Whatever faults their creative directors push for are not theirs. However, if this is the only way KATSEYE are portrayed, it makes the people they represent seem nothing but reckless and sex-driven.
KATSEYE: Not safe for kids?
Ok but why do I feel like this song is not appropriate for kids even the clean version has moaning in the background and the dance is just weird for a kids award (@n0r5k1maxi on Instagram)
This mindset is not alleviated by the fact that KATSEYE is aimed at young girls. Young girls should not have to think about sex right now when they have their whole lives to think about it. But what happens when their idols – girls who are close to their age – are doing that in front of entire audiences?
Most recently, KATSEYE performed “Gnarly” – backtrack moans, twerking, and all – at the Kid’s Choice Awards. The awards show is one of the biggest events for kids, and showcasing a more explicit act instead of their more light-hearted (and arguably age-appropriate concepts) was definitely a choice. Look through the comments and you’ll get what I mean.
KATSEYE, like any celebrity, are role models for the kids they perform for. This does not mean that all their acts should be for kids, but there is a time and place to perform more mature concepts. They should not push for the idea that girls all over the world have to be provocative to be special.
The (minor) elephant in the room
What I find most concerning is that the group is doing all these things when one of their members is still a minor. Yoonchae – the group’s youngest member – is only 17. But already she is being roped into these more sexual songs.
Then again, it is important to remember that Yoonchae is the only member who dresses her age. Stylists make sure that she is dressed more modestly in performances, while still complimenting her figure. This is a lot better than other generations of K-pop that have debuted minors and have forced them into uncomfortable, mature concepts.
Still, this does not excuse the fact that Yoonchae is still performing these mature concepts alongside the rest of her team. Not only does this harm her, but the underaged girls she represents. People will start to think that even minors are sex-driven, which, you can guess, is a dangerous mindset to have.
Think, KATSEYE, think!
Overall, KATSEYE’s comeback may have been a great release in terms of sound and performance, but I believe it came at the wrong time. Having a breakneck switch from their teengirl-centric debut to a mature album doesn’t seem to sit right.
Both KATSEYE themselves and their audiences are still underage. Both the group and their fans will eventually grow and fully grasp mature concepts. Their creative directors shouldn’t rush these concepts out, no matter how fun and “freeing” they are.
These creative choices do not just affect the sound of KATSEYE. Regardless of how good the group’s intentions are, they affect how young girls behave and are seen by the public.
Besides, mature concepts are not the only concepts these girls can have to express themselves. Take for example ITZY – a popular girl group who built their identity on “Girl Crush” hyperpop. They are able to empower both themselves and audiences, without necessarily sexualizing their concept.
KATSEYE has the right to express themselves as artists. They also have the unique responsibility of influencing girls not only in Korea, but all over the world. Whether they signed up to be or not, they are role models with a further reach than any K-pop group. It isn’t just about music anymore – their company has to recognize this now.
