On Dec. 12, international pop group KATSEYE performed live at YouTube Theater during their first tour, the Beautiful Chaos Tour. Beginning in Minneapolis on Nov. 15, the Los Angeles show marked the group’s return to the city they first debuted in and the second to last stop before concluding the tour in Mexico City. The group played all of their officially released tracks and few additional tracks, making the performance one to be remembered.
“We’re so happy to be back in Los Angeles, and we’re so grateful to be playing for you all,” said KATSEYE member, Daniela.
KATSEYE was formed through the 2024 reality survival show, “The Debut: Dream Academy,” a collaboration between Korean entertainment management company Hybe and Geffen Records. However unlike other K-pop groups, KATSEYE represents a shift in the industry as the first international girl group to utilize K-pop methodologies for their development.
The members range from ages 16 to 22, hailing from a wide range of different backgrounds, including the U.S., Switzerland, the Philippines, South Korea and Singapore.
Despite being around for less than a year, the group has gone on to achieve massive success internationally being placed at #167 globally on Spotify. In 2025, their second EP, “BEAUTIFUL CHAOS,” placing the group at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the group’s first time breaking into the top 10.
Arguably their most impactful moment this year was their commercial in collaboration with clothing brand GAP dancing to the song “Milkshake” by Kelis. Despite not being a part of their albums, they reference this moment by doing the first segment of the dance on stage.
Prior to the show, fans poured into the theater as songs from KATEYE’s entire discography were playing in the background. As each new song came on, avid fans screamed in excitement, loud but exceeded in fervor during the actual performance. Some fans would also be dancing the choreography of each of the songs in their seats, getting hyped up for the performance.
Eventually, the lights dimmed as the artists rose to the stage, beginning the concert with their debut song, ironically called “Debut," as the crowd erupted in cheers, waving their light sticks while being entranced by the performance.
While every song in KATSEYE’s discography was given its moment, fan favorites "Gabriela" and “Gnarly” were given special highlights like extended dance breaks and confetti themed after each songs’ respective colors. For “Gabriela,” the dance break allowed the Latin influence to shine further, featuring a quick change and mesmerizing moves in flamenco skirts. “Gnarly” instead had a moment that loyal fans cheered for, with KATSEYE member Yoonchae voguing despite her fear of the dance move.
During the performance, the group asked members of the audience how they first became EYEKONS, KATSEYE’s term for fans. Many of them cited “The Debut: Dream Academy” and the subsequent Netflix documentary, “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE” as their first introduction to the group.
“We’re really big K-pop fans, so we follow HYBE and Geffen, so once they were starting to promote [The Debut: Dream Academy], it was a dream,” said Frances from San Diego.
Aside from the shows, many people became fans through the trends that KASTEYE inspired. Their most iconic came from two of their most popular songs, “Gnarly” and “Touch,” sparking countless attempts to replicate the choreography on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
From their songs to stage presence, KATSEYE always seeks to be an inspiration to all women, being something the group takes pride in. Thriving on representation, KATSEYE built their diversity into every aspect of the group.
Each member has a different ethnicity and fully embraces their respective cultures during their performance. For instance, during the mid show talks to the audience, Sophia and Yoonchae asked if there were any Filipinos and Koreans in the house respectfully, with EYEKONS of those ethnicities cheering as loud as they could to show support.
“Gabriela” lets Daniela embrace her Latin origin, giving her a section in Spanish and being based on soap operas.
KATSEYE’s cultural awareness likewise spreads to their music as well. “Gabriela” lets Daniela embrace her Latin origin, giving her a section in Spanish based on classic telenovelas. Similarly, “Time Lapse” gave Yoonchae segments in Korean, allowing her to sing in her native language.
“For me, I’m half Asian, half white, and so I have a fondness for Megan, because I’m like, ‘yeah, that’s my girl,’” said Anissa McLachlan from Orange County.
“So growing up, I’ve never seen multiracial representation like that on the mainstream platform before.”
Their representation goes beyond just ethnicity and culture as both Lara and Megan are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. This inclusivity makes its way into the song “Mean Girls,” their biggest love letter to womanhood, which celebrates how all women should be loved and accepted.
“I think so many young girls can see themselves in the group, I just think that what they’re doing and they are embracing their culture, they’re not shying away from it like other people might,” said Kristen Sales, a fan from Orange County.
KATSEYE’s new song “Internet Girl,” released for the Beautiful Chaos Tour, places women front and center, but instead highlights the difficulties women face online. Despite being only out for a few weeks, countless fans danced along to the choreography, showing their passion for the group.
Throughout the entire concert, the friendship and bonds between the members of KATSEYE constantly shine through. From Lara and Manon’s flirting at the end of “M.I.A.” to the group comforting Sophia for getting emotional at the end of the concert, KATSEYE feels a group of six best friends that also happen to be talented artists as well.
The group fittingly ended their performance with “My Way,” a song about carving one’s own path. KASTEYE sang together at center stage, as the platform lowered with the group disappearing from sight. The big screen behind the stage then showed all the members giving a little wave from backstage, closing out the concert.
“I’m really excited to see how much mainstream success that KATSEYE has gotten this year. I know those girls have worked so hard to get to where they are now, and I hope nothing but the best for them, for their careers to come” said Amanda Nogaki, another longtime fan from Orange County.