Global Girl Group KATSEYE Reveals They Have Been Subjected to Death Threats Online

KATSEYE, a global girl group formed through a collaboration between HYBE and the U.S.-Korea joint venture, revealed that they have been exposed to repeated death threats and racism online since their debut.

In an interview with the BBC on the 11th, KATSEYE shared that not only they but also their families have become targets of threats. Member Lara stated that she received death threats from nearly a thousand individuals, noting that even if it does not lead to actual harm, the mental burden is significant.

Lara, a U.S. citizen of Tamil Indian descent, also mentioned racist attacks. False reports claiming that she was living and working illegally in the U.S. were submitted to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Lara of KATSEYE raised concerns about the sexist practice of scoring and evaluating appearances and skills. She criticized the behavior of rating female artists and quantifying them in percentages as dystopian. To avoid negative online opinions, she deleted her social media X (formerly Twitter) account and realized that there is no need to be swayed by others' evaluations.

KATSEYE did not specify the threats they receive. However, the BBC pointed out that inappropriate and aggressive behavior from fan communities is not uncommon.

Leader Sophia emphasized that while she chose a profession in the public eye, her dignity as a human being should not be disregarded. Despite their short career, she feels that the malicious comments directed at them and their families are excessive, and member Manon also appealed that it feels like they are experiencing mental terror.

KATSEYE is the result of a project where HYBE collaborated with Geffen Records under Universal Music in the U.S. This group, consisting of six members from Switzerland, the Philippines, the U.S., and Korea, has garnered attention for its diverse nationalities and racial backgrounds.

Formed through the audition program 'The Debut: Dream Academy', they debuted last year with songs like 'Gnarly' (Gnarly), 'Gabriela' (Gabriela), and have performed well on charts in the U.S. and the U.K. Recently, despite being in their second year since debut, they were nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammy Awards.

The members take pride in the diversity of their team and conveyed a message to girls around the world to confidently embrace their roots and identities. Manon expressed that she is very proud of the team's diversity, emphasizing that showing girls to be proud of themselves, regardless of their appearance and background, is the team's top priority. Lara also urged others to confidently accept that their skin color and culture can be a source of strength.