K-POP Expands Global Reach Through KATSEYE, Animation, and Live Performances

K-POP’s global recognition is spreading beyond music groups into various content sectors. The multinational girl group KATSEYE, formed through the audition program “Debut: Dream Academy” produced in collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records (a subsidiary of Universal Music Group), has attracted significant attention. KATSEYE consists of six members selected from 14 competing talent teams aged 15 to 21 in 2023. The members hail from diverse backgrounds including Brazil, South Korea, Japan, and the United States, and they speak multiple languages such as Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog, and Korean. Participants in the program underwent intensive K-POP training that included daily vocal and dance sessions, language and media coaching, and psychological preparation for the pressures of the entertainment industry. The formation of KATSEYE combined HYBE’s credibility, backed by K-POP stars like BTS and SEVENTEEN, with Geffen’s ability to access the U.S. and international music markets. This partnership aimed to create a global girl group unlike any before, and KATSEYE has been gaining momentum on social media by attracting fans through its single “Gnarly.” The popularity of K-POP content has also extended into the film industry. The animated film “K-Pop: Demon Hunters,” set to release on Netflix in mid-2025, became the largest movie in Netflix’s history. Although it received moderate ratings upon release, it later set a new record for Netflix after 91 days due to repeated viewings and word-of-mouth promotion. According to Netflix’s 2025 engagement report, this film had higher viewership than all other movies released between 2023 and 2025. Kristine Belson and Damien de Froberville, presidents of Sony Pictures Animation, discussed the potential release timeline for a sequel in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. While a 2029 release was speculated, the presidents suggested that this schedule might be optimistic. Given the time-consuming nature of animation production and the current creative team’s busy schedule attending award shows for the first film, a release after 2030 is likely. K-POP’s popularity is also evident in the live performance market. The “K-Pop Stage” event in Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, held its “K-Pop Week” to close out 2025 from December 20 to 31. Talented new artists such as HYBERO, Kim Sihun, the boy group MUL, Antares, and the girl group ARVI participated in the event. Particularly on the final day on the 31st, ARVI, composed of Min Chae-eun, No Ga-hyun, Moe, and Churi, is expected to showcase its identity as an “emotional performance group.”