HYBE-IGA Joint Venture KATSEYE Reaches #52 on UK Singles Chart as Bang Si-hyuk’s Global K-POP Strategy Takes Shape

The global girl group KATSEYE, created through a partnership between HYBE and Universal IGA (Interscope Geffen A&M Records), has entered major world charts with its new song “Gnarly,” demonstrating the potential for expanding K-POP’s global fanbase. KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” debuted at position #52 on the UK’s official singles chart top 100 on May 9 (local time). This marks the first time a group less than a year old has appeared on the UK chart’s history. The song also reached #60 on Spotify’s Global Weekly Top Songs chart, surpassing its previous highest ranking of #78 for “Touch.” “Gnarly” started at #91 on the daily global chart on May 2 before rising sharply to #35 by May 7. It achieved #68 on the U.S. Spotify chart, with a debut on the Billboard Hot 100 also expected. “Gnarly” is a track that blends hyperpop, dance, and punk elements, featuring heavy bass, assertive lyrics, and intense choreography. KATSEYE’s stage performances on recent Korean music shows gained widespread attention on social media, boosting their global recognition. Kyle Munzinger, editor of magazine “W,” commented, “These girls have transformed from newcomers following K-POP into pop stars capable of setting potential agendas in just a few days.” KATSEYE was discovered through HYBE-IGA’s joint audition program “The Debut: Dream Academy.” The journey of the 20 contestants who beat a competition ratio of 6,000 to 1 was documented in Netflix’s documentary “Popstar Academy: KATSEYE.” Composed of six members from the U.S., South Korea, Switzerland, and the Philippines, KATSEYE officially debuted in November 2023 and made its full debut in the U.S. in June 2024. KATSEYE’s debut album “SIS (Soft Is Strong)” sold 115,000 copies solely in the U.S. in 2024, while its dual title track “Touch” remained on the Billboard Global Song Chart for 13 consecutive weeks. The same song also ranked #43 on NME’s list of “The 50 Best Songs of 2024.” KATSEYE is a key part of Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE’s board of directors,’s strategy to expand the K-pop methodology globally. Chairman Bang stated, “I have long wanted to develop talents from various countries based on the K-pop methodology and create global groups in the K-pop style together with them.” Through collaboration with John Janick, CEO of Universal IGA, which has produced artists like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, KATSEYE has earned the reputation of “the chairman who created BTS introducing the formula for K-pop idols to the U.S.” Initial musical reviews were mixed, but the members’ energy, dancing skills, and stage presence turned negative opinions into positive assessments. “Gnarly” overcame early negative reactions by receiving strong responses to its “clean version” (with certain brand mentions and profanity removed) shown on Korean music shows, leading to success on global charts. KATSEYE is set to release its second mini-album “BEAUTIFUL CHAOS” on June 27, with the group saying, “This project will best define who we are as artists and what we represent.” Chairman Bang recently posted a photo on Instagram alongside members of LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE, adding the caption “United!,” signaling that HYBE’s future vision involves expanding into the global pop market by removing the “K” from K-pop.