“Being perfect is not a thing; instead, be confident to grow as a person and artist”: KATSEYE

You might have heard their songs on social media, at the very least, even if you might not be acquainted with KATSEYE just yet. The global girl group, who recently made their debut months ago, have already some brainwashing hits under their belt.

Such include the TikTok-viral Touch (2024), an inspiring anthem My Way (2024), as well as their very first debut single Debut (2024). Hailing from talent competition reality show The Debut: Dream Academy (2023), the group’s line-up is made up of the top six contestants after a series of eliminations.

Read more: BTS’ label Hybe to create new global girl group through Dream Academy project

As HallyuSG dials in for a Zoom call with the band, the sextet shares more about their new music, being in a survival program, combating perfectionism and being in a diverse group altogether.

Congratulations on the recent release of your debut EP “Soft is Strong” (SIS). Can you tell us a little bit more about it?

Daniela: The EP, SIS, stands for Soft is Strong (2024). I think the EP really represents our duality as KATSEYE, and as individuals. We have songs that (show) the softer side of us, and the stronger side of us.

If you could only use one word to describe the album, what would it be?

Daniela: Iconic.

Lara: Ooh, I like that.

We know that KATSEYE is a global girl group and has members of different ethnicities. So how’s that like for you guys?

Manon: Well, it never gets boring. We have so much fun together, and I feel like being able to be with these beautiful five girls who are from all over the world is so fun. I get to hear so many different stories about so many different places.

Your songs have been big on empowerment. What were the inspirations behind these tracks?

Manon: I think one of our inspirations was PinkPantheress for Touch (2024). We loved her sound, so she was one of our inspirations.

Lara: I also think that Spice Girls and Blackpink were some of our inspirations too.

Megan: Another one of our inspirations, specifically for the lyrics and the story, would be all of our own stories. Especially for My Way (2024), the lyrics convey our own personal stories. And it’s a very vulnerable song, to tell our own narrative through it.

What were some of your best moments, as well as challenges faced, during your trainee days?

Megan: For me, one of the challenges I experienced was perfectionism. Every artist has this weird era of being a perfectionist and it’s hard to get over. You’d want to get validation from people and perfect your craft.

But we also realise that being perfect is not a thing. Being confident in what you present and what you are is the way to go and grow as a person and as an artist.

As a new girl group who just made your debut, are there any concepts you’d like to try and take on in the future?

Lara: Ooh… definitely. I’d like to try out a more mature and edgy concept. It’ll be very much like giving 2000s, Britney (Spears) vibes. I feel like we’ll be in our element doing that.

What is your biggest takeaway from the survival show, The Debut: Dream Academy?

Daniela: One of the big things I took away, and we’re actually still working on, was (how to deal with) perfectionism. Back in the Dream Academy, personally, for me, I felt like I was such a perfectionist. I kind of learnt that being perfect is not a thing.

I feel like we’re all lowkey perfectionists. And that’s something that we, as a group, have to deal with. But looking back, I just feel that we’ve all grown so much from Dream Academy.

Of course, we’d be asking you this: Are there any plans to come to Singapore in the near future?

Manon: We’d love to.

Lara: (nods)

Megan: Totally. I really want to come back. It’s been so long since I’ve been to Singapore to visit my family. So, hopefully (it’ll be) soon!

Interview | Dayna Yam
Digital Editor | Avier Tan
Contributing Writers | Esther Low, Belinda Poh
Special Thanks | Universal Music Singapore, HYBE, Geffen Records