They have been nominated for 'Best New Artist' and 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance' at the Grammys.
KATSEYE's music and performances present a new model for K-Pop.
[TV Daily Kim Hangil Reporter] "KATSEYE's 2026 is set to be an even more remarkable year. We're excited for you to follow our upcoming stories." The global girl group KATSEYE recently wrapped up their North America tour 'The BEAUTIFUL CHAOS' successfully, showcasing their growing confidence. Less than two years into their debut, they are already challenging for a Grammy award, demonstrating a significant ascent in their career. Let’s revisit their dazzling journey in 2025 across music, fashion, and culture.
KATSEYE captured global music fans' attention with the release of their experimental digital single 'Gnarly' in April. The track made a splash on major pop charts, ranking 52nd on the UK 'Official Singles Top 100' and 90th on the US Billboard 'Hot 100' as of May 9 and June 21 respectively. Following this, their song 'Gabriela', which debuted in June, enjoyed immense popularity, reaching 31st on the Billboard 'Hot 100', 38th on the 'Official Singles Top 100', and 10th on Spotify's 'Weekly Top Song Global,' marking the group’s highest accomplishments yet. Their second EP 'BEAUTIFUL CHAOS' peaked at fourth on the US 'Billboard 200'.
KATSEYE's prowess as 'performance artists' was evident when they performed at Lollapalooza Chicago and Summer Sonic 2025 in Japan this August, dazzling audiences with their stage presence. From November to December, they executed their first solo North American tour, initially planned for 13 cities but extended to 16 due to popular demand, with all performances selling out. Their collaboration with GAP on the campaign 'Better in Denim' gained traction on social media, showcasing their diversity and energy in a video synchronizing with R&B star Kelis’s hit ‘Milkshake.’
KATSEYE's presence was also affirmed across major global platforms. They placed second in Google’s ‘Trending Musicians’ category in the 2025 Year in Search and featured in YouTube’s annual report as a 'Trending Topic in the US'. Additionally, they were named 'Global Artists of the Year' on TikTok, with over 30 billion views on videos related to them.
KATSEYE’s accomplishments culminated in their nominations for the prestigious Grammy awards. They are up for 'Best New Artist' and 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance' at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards scheduled for February 1 next year. ABC News noted that it’s rare for a girl group to be nominated in these categories, while CNN highlighted that KATSEYE’s achievements demonstrate they are having their best year yet.
KATSEYE’s success story also validates Hive's 'multi-home, multi-genre' strategy. Billboard characterized their success as a symbolic proof that K-Pop can carve out new directions in the U.S. music industry, presenting a new success model that extends the limits of K-Pop in the 21st century.
KATSEYE's music is noteworthy for its experimental sounds and captivating performances, showcasing their originality. Particularly, 'Gnarly' and 'Gabriela' break genre boundaries and mix various musical elements, appealing to a global audience. This approach lays the groundwork for them to shine on the world stage outside of traditional K-Pop confines.
As performance artists, the group highlights the importance of live shows that offer more than just an auditory experience; they engage the visual and emotional facets, fostering deep connections with fans. This strategy significantly contributes to the globalization of K-Pop and intensifies fan support.
KATSEYE's accomplishments reach beyond mere musical success, establishing them firmly in the modern music industry. With their Grammy nominations, they pave the way for multinational groups to emerge as influential artists in the global market.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: HYBE Labels
