Global girl group KATSEYE—formed by HYBE and Geffen Records—has been recognized as one of the top emerging artists to watch in 2025, according to NME. The prestigious UK-based music magazine released its annual “NME 100: Essential Emerging Artists for 2025” list on February 12 (local time), spotlighting rising talents shaping the global music scene.
In their feature, NME praised KATSEYE (Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sofia, and Yoonchae), stating, “A group born from the collaboration between K-pop giant HYBE and U.S. label Geffen, KATSEYE perfectly blends K-pop’s refined performance precision with the sophistication of Western pop. Their music has the power to turn the world into EYEKONS (their fandom name).”
Debuting in June 2024 after competing in the “The Debut: Dream Academy” survival show, KATSEYE quickly made a global impact. Their first EP, “SIS (Soft Is Strong),” debuted at No. 119 on the Billboard 200 (as of August 31, 2024), marking their entry into the mainstream music industry. Additionally, they topped the Billboard “Emerging Artist” chart, further solidifying their status as a rising force.
Their double title track, “Touch,” has garnered widespread success beyond the U.S., accumulating over 100 million Spotify streams in just 82 days. The track also entered Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart at No. 40 (as of October 26, 2024) and remained on the list for 13 consecutive weeks through January 18, 2025, proving its mainstream radio appeal.
Adding to their accolades, KATSEYE has been nominated for two categories at the upcoming 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, set to take place on March 17 in Los Angeles. The group is a contender for the newly introduced “Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge” award with “Touch,” while their Netflix documentary series, “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE,” has been nominated for “Favorite On Screen.”
With their rapid rise and global recognition, KATSEYE continues to establish itself as a major player in the evolving K-pop landscape, drawing attention from both fans and industry experts worldwide.
Source: sports.khan.co.kr
