Katseye: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Katseye were assembled in Los Angeles through Dream Academy, a HYBE–Geffen experiment that grafted the K-pop trainee system onto a multinational, English-first pop group. Their map runs from Seoul's girl-group architecture to American R&B dynasties, LA's own doll-pop lineage, and the hyperpop underground that gave them "Gnarly."

The Kynda mix for Katseye

• Key Influence · The Album by Blackpink (2020). Katseye exist because HYBE wanted to export the Korean idol system wholesale, and Blackpink proved the model could travel: Western festival stages, luxury campaigns, English-language hooks over Seoul-built production. The trainee regimen Katseye endured on Dream Academy — vocal, dance and language evaluations, elimination rounds — is the same industrial pipeline that produced this record, and its trap-pop maximalism echoes through their early singles.
• Influencia Obscura · Dumb Bitch Juice by Alice Longyu Gao (2020). The strangest fact about Katseye's breakout: "Gnarly" came out of the hyperpop underground, with Chinese-born, New York-based provocateur Alice Longyu Gao among its writers. Her bratty, abrasive, meme-literate maximalism — shrieked ad-libs, absurdist boasts, production that sounds like a toy breaking — is exactly the aesthetic that a HYBE-Geffen girl group was not supposed to touch, and it became their signature.
• Local Roots · Doll Domination by The Pussycat Dolls (2008). Los Angeles' own manufactured girl-group precedent, born in a Sunset Strip burlesque revue and engineered by Interscope — the label family Katseye now sit inside via Geffen. The Dolls established the LA template of choreography-first, fashion-forward group pop with a designated lead and a global touring pitch, the very formula HYBE's American joint venture updated with a six-nation lineup and a reality-TV origin.
• Beyond the Medium · Paris Is Burning by Jennie Livingston (1990). Katseye's choreography vocabulary — the dips, the hand performance, the face-forward attitude of "Gnarly" and "Gabriela" — flows from Harlem ballroom through the dance-studio culture of Los Angeles, where voguing became standard pop-choreographer currency. This documentary is the primary record of that world's houses, categories and competitive realness, the grammar now routinely borrowed by idol-trained groups.
• Peer · Easy by Le Sserafim (2024). The closest sibling in the corporate family tree: a HYBE girl group, multinational by design, releasing confident self-mythologizing pop in the same window Katseye debuted. Le Sserafim's fearless-girl branding and willingness to court vocal-performance controversy made them the comparison point critics reached for when assessing whether HYBE's Los Angeles experiment could compete with its Seoul roster.
• From the Canon · SIS (Soft Is Strong) by Katseye (2024). The debut EP, and the thesis statement: "Debut" and "Touch" present a six-member group trained in Korean idol technique but singing in English for an American label, with a title that reframes femininity as strength rather than decoration. It is the cleanest document of what the Dream Academy pipeline produced before the group found a weirder, sharper voice, and of how carefully HYBE and Geffen positioned them.
• Key Collaborator · Becoming by Nadia Hallgren (2020). Hallgren directed Pop Star Academy: Katseye, the Netflix docuseries that turned the group's brutal trainee selection into public narrative — arguably as important to their identity as any single. Her Michelle Obama tour documentary shows the method: intimate, observational camerawork that finds private doubt inside a heavily managed public machine, exactly the register that made Katseye's origin story land.
• Legacy · Girls of the Year by VCHA (2024). JYP's Los Angeles-based global girl group, assembled through the A2K competition series in direct parallel to Dream Academy — the clearest evidence that Katseye's launch validated an entire industry strategy. VCHA's trajectory, including public scrutiny of trainee conditions, became part of the same conversation Katseye started about exporting the idol system onto American soil and American labor norms.

What influenced Katseye

• Le Sserafim. The article reports that Katseye cited Le Sserafim as an influence. (also via Easy) “Musically, Katseye has cited the Pussycat Dolls , Spice Girls , and Le Sserafim as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Devon Aoki. Aoki's style is identified as a reference for Megan's image. “the style of celebrities prominent in the early 2000s, such as Devon Aoki for Megan, and Shakira for Daniela, served as key references for the image and appearance of the group's members.” (Wikipedia)
• Pussycat Dolls. The article reports that Katseye cited the Pussycat Dolls as an influence. “Musically, Katseye has cited the Pussycat Dolls , Spice Girls , and Le Sserafim as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• The Album by Blackpink (2020). The Album (Blackpink) — titan for Katseye “Artists who have cited Blackpink as an influence include Ive, Babymonster, Izna, H1-Key, Tri.be, Kiss of Life, Classy, Primrose, Busters, VVUP, Kiiras, Blingone, Le Sserafim's Kazuha, Illit's Minju, Katseye's Yoonchae, Lapillus' Shana an…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dumb Bitch Juice by Alice Longyu Gao (2020). Dumb Bitch Juice (Alice Longyu Gao) — ghost for Katseye “Gao was credited as a writer for the 2025 song "Gnarly" by Katseye.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Spice Girls (1994). The article reports that Katseye cited the Spice Girls as an influence. “Musically, Katseye has cited the Pussycat Dolls , Spice Girls , and Le Sserafim as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Y2K fashion. The article links the group's styling to Y2K fashion. “the group draws sartorial influence from late 1990s and early 2000s pop culture, often referred to as Y2K fashion.” (Wikipedia)
• Shakira. Shakira's style is identified as a reference for Daniela's image. “the style of celebrities prominent in the early 2000s, such as Devon Aoki for Megan, and Shakira for Daniela, served as key references for the image and appearance of the group's members.” (Wikipedia)
• Survivor by Destiny's Child (2001). Survivor (Destiny's Child) — titan for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• Paris Is Burning by Jennie Livingston (1990). Paris Is Burning (Jennie Livingston) — culture for Katseye (themoviedb.org)
• Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans by Uffie (2010). Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans (Uffie) — ghost for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• Clueless by Amy Heckerling (1995). Clueless (Amy Heckerling) — culture for Katseye (themoviedb.org)
• Gee by Girls' Generation (2009). Gee (Girls' Generation) — titan for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon (Naoko Takeuchi) — culture for Katseye

Peers and kindred spirits

• Illit. Katseye and Illit collaborated on Iconic by Mistake. (also via Super Real Me) “On June 12, Katseye released " Iconic by Mistake " in collaboration with Hybe label mates Le Sserafim and Illit , the groups' first collaboration.” (Wikipedia)
• Glossier. Katseye partnered with Glossier on a product launch. “Katseye partnered with Glossier to launch the brand's first lip oil product line titled 'Lip Glaze', with new products themed after the group's members.” (Wikipedia)
• Yoonchae Jeung. Jeung is identified as a group member. “The group consists of six members: Daniela Avanzini , Lara Raj , Manon Bannerman , Megan Skiendiel , Sophia Laforteza , and Yoonchae Jeung.” (Wikipedia)
• Lush by Snail Mail (2018). Katseye partnered with Lush on bath products. “In the same month, Katseye partnered with Lush to release a bath bomb and six soaps.” (Wikipedia)
• Fendi. Katseye appeared in a Fendi campaign. “In April 2025, Katseye was featured in Fendi 's Fendi For Yourself campaign, launched in celebration of the brand's 100th anniversary.” (Wikipedia)
• Ice Spice. Ice Spice featured on Katseye's Gnarly remix. “On June 6, Katseye released a remix of "Gnarly" featuring rapper Ice Spice .” (Wikipedia)
• Super Real Me by Illit (2024). Super Real Me (Illit) — peer for Katseye “On June 12, Katseye released "Iconic by Mistake" in collaboration with Hybe label mates Le Sserafim and Illit, the groups' first collaboration.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Yeonjun. Yeonjun is listed as a featured artist on the Touch remix. “"Touch" (remix) (featuring Yeonjun ) — — — — 128 — — Non-album songs” (Wikipedia)
• Pandora. Katseye partnered with Pandora on jewelry charms. “In June 2025, Katseye partnered with jewelry brand Pandora to release various charms selected by the members.” (Wikipedia)
• Gap. Katseye starred in a Gap campaign. “In August 2025, Katseye starred in Gap ' s Fall 2025 " Better in Denim " campaign, dancing to a re-recorded version of Kelis ' " Milkshake ".” (Wikipedia)
• Lara Raj. Raj is identified as a group member. “The group consists of six members: Daniela Avanzini , Lara Raj , Manon Bannerman , Megan Skiendiel , Sophia Laforteza , and Yoonchae Jeung.” (Wikipedia)
• Urban Outfitters. Katseye launched a collaboration with Urban Outfitters. “the group launched a collaboration with Urban Outfitters , where they performed live at the "UO Haul" event in New York on May 20 to showcase their single "Gnarly".” (Wikipedia)
• Laneige. Katseye partnered with Laneige on a promotion. “In January 2026, Katseye partnered with Laneige to promote their JuicePop Box lip tints.” (Wikipedia)
• Megan Skiendiel. Skiendiel is identified as a group member. “The group consists of six members: Daniela Avanzini , Lara Raj , Manon Bannerman , Megan Skiendiel , Sophia Laforteza , and Yoonchae Jeung.” (Wikipedia)
• Coach. Katseye appeared in promotional content for Coach. “Katseye made their first New York Fashion Week attendance at the Spring Summer 2025 show for the American fashion company Coach , which in turn placed them in several promotional endorsements and content for the brand's released collection.” (Wikipedia)
• State Farm. Katseye appeared in a State Farm commercial. “In February 2026, Katseye appeared on State Farm 's Super Bowl commercial for Super Bowl LX .” (Wikipedia)
• Easy by Le Sserafim (2024). Easy (Le Sserafim) — peer for Katseye “On June 12, Katseye released "Iconic by Mistake" in collaboration with Hybe label mates Le Sserafim and Illit, the groups' first collaboration.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Love Yourself: Tear by BTS. Love Yourself: Tear (BTS) — collaborator for Katseye “Under the Big Hit label, he signed up RM, at age 15, who would go on to lead the boy band BTS.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Jollibee. Katseye and Jollibee collaborated on merchandise. “they launched a merchandise collaboration with Philippine fast food chain Jollibee , which also released menu items themed after the group in its stores in the United States and Canada.” (Wikipedia)
• Omer Fedi. Fedi collaborated with Katseye on the EP. “For the EP, Katseye collaborated with several songwriters and producers, including Ryan Tedder and Omer Fedi .” (Wikipedia)
• Ryan Tedder (1996). Tedder collaborated with Katseye on the EP. “For the EP, Katseye collaborated with several songwriters and producers, including Ryan Tedder and Omer Fedi .” (Wikipedia)
• Sophia Laforteza. Laforteza is identified as a group member. “The group consists of six members: Daniela Avanzini , Lara Raj , Manon Bannerman , Megan Skiendiel , Sophia Laforteza , and Yoonchae Jeung.” (Wikipedia)
• Daniela Avanzini. Avanzini is identified as a group member. “The group consists of six members: Daniela Avanzini , Lara Raj , Manon Bannerman , Megan Skiendiel , Sophia Laforteza , and Yoonchae Jeung.” (Wikipedia)
• Manon Bannerman. Bannerman is identified as a group member. “The group consists of six members: Daniela Avanzini , Lara Raj , Manon Bannerman , Megan Skiendiel , Sophia Laforteza , and Yoonchae Jeung.” (Wikipedia)
• Matin Kim. Katseye appeared in a campaign involving Matin Kim. “Katseye were featured in Coach's collaboration campaign with the South Korean streetwear brand Matin Kim, which launched a line of ready-to-wear clothing for Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.” (Wikipedia)
• Love. Angel. Music. Baby. by Gwen Stefani (2004). Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (Gwen Stefani) — geography for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• Purpose by Justin Bieber (2015). Purpose (Justin Bieber) — collaborator for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• Becoming by Nadia Hallgren (2020). Becoming (Nadia Hallgren) — collaborator for Katseye “Distributed by Netflix, the documentary was directed by Nadia Hallgren.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Doll Domination by The Pussycat Dolls (2008). Doll Domination (The Pussycat Dolls) — geography for Katseye “Musically, Katseye has cited the Pussycat Dolls, Spice Girls, and Le Sserafim as influences.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Quantum Baby by Tinashe (2024). Quantum Baby (Tinashe) — geography for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• With YOU-th by Twice (2024). With YOU-th (Twice) — peer for Katseye

Who Katseye influenced

• Awe by XG (2024). Awe (XG) — legacy for Katseye (musicbrainz.org)
• Girls of the Year by VCHA (2024). Girls of the Year (VCHA) — legacy for Katseye