Just now, WERKER said:

They're producing the songs for next years album aren't they

Hope it comes out early next year, I need a full album of work not just 5 songs a year

Hopefully they'll go for a March release

They MUST do a Santos Bravos remix for Hootie Frutti. That song screams for it

3 hours ago, WERKER said:

They're producing the songs for next years album aren't they

Hope it comes out early next year, I need a full album of work not just 5 songs a year

I kind of hope they haven't started working on the album yet, because if they're starting recording... what about Sophia... and I know she's likely not coming back but Manon.

Hootie Frutti sounds like a hit! I hope it's the single that they're going to push!!!!!

4 hours ago, XXI. said:

At 16, 17, 18 years old, you don't really have a grasp of the real world...let alone what the entertainment industry will be like. These girls were chasing a dream, but they couldn't possibly have understood everything they were signing up for.

One of the most heartbreaking moments in Pop Star Academy is when Adela's mom asks, "Then why did they keep you for so long?" If they already knew they weren't going to choose you, why make you believe you had a real shot and keep you so far from home for two years where you're missing birthdays, holidays, etc.?

And that's what makes KATSEYE's situation so uncomfortable to watch. These girls can sometimes feel less like artists with agency and more like a product being managed by HYBE and the label. We obviously don't know what's happening behind the scenes, but the repeated injuries, illnesses, absences from concerts and press, and now two members being on hiatus simultaneously raise real questions.

Something about the situation just doesn't feel right...

To a certain points I kinda agree, however they all went through the kpop training system, and that pretty much already put you into the mindset of what it is to be in a girl group: to know you're gonna have lots of working hours, know that you're part of something and it's not all about you, know that you're not really an artist from the get go as you're a cast member, and so on.

Yes, they were chasing a dream and maybe this was their first step to stardom, however it's very naive to think they didn't understand what they were signing up for. Again, with the exception of Manon, all of them had some experience in training or had an idea of how the kpop world was/is, and to claim that because of their age it might be something that they were not fully aware, I don't think it's the full picture. Nothing was stopping any of them to drop while training, as some girls did before the final 6.

People might not like it, but they ARE a product, just like all the girl groups and boy groups out there, however these groups tend to have more freedom of choice or have a more hands on approach to their projects once they become successful. Their artistry are not related to the songs they sing, or the fashion choices they make (at least at first) but their performing skills, that why we see the Grammys adding the Best Asian Performance category and not Best Asian Song, the idols don't write songs in kpop world, they don't pick what song goes after what in the CD and so on, because they are "performers", not really "artists". I'm not diminishing the girls talents, skills and hard work, however this is just a reality of what a group is.

HYBE is shady, there is no question in that. I do get why the girls are being overworked, since they are going for the "strike while the iron is on" approach, it's a shame but that's not different than a lot of the grinding that a lot of pop singers used to do back then. People are just not used to this anymore because they see their american favorite pop singers putting an album every once in two or three years, do a year of tour and be off for a whole year, but that doesn't work with the manufactured world of pop/kpop. If you want an example of the reality of a "top tier" girl group, this was the release schedule of TWICE since 2015, up until 2022

Every six months a new korean EP/album, every once in a while a korean single, every year or so one or two japanese albums, and singles all around. They announced they are going on a break this year after the tour, after being in the industry for the past 10 years and not stop releasing things during these 10 years. This is the reality, and when you are a kpop fan it doesn't matter if you're 14 or 34, you understand that it's a lot of work.

The literally collapse Hootie Frutti is going to be during their live shows, I can't wait to see how they perform it

I can already hear it seamlessly transitioning into MIA on tour and the arena going feral the exact moment

I've also been wondering what Lara is working on at Max Martin's studios. As amazing as it would be for it be her debut ep - I could see her taking it upon herself to make the demos for the album herself on her own time (a lot of this is happening when the girls are on vacation in other countries or have time off) Rather than HYBE Geffen outsourcing the demos like they usually have, Lara is making sure she's in the rooms with the writers and producers for KATSEYE

Sophia already said in the Allure interview that each girls plays a key role in the group, and Lara is 100% in charge of creative/musical direction when it comes to speaking up for the 5 girls. They fully trust her instinct and vision, and its clear Lara is only going to have more and more power and say as time goes on for KATSEYE

It already started last year when they allowed her to remix Gnarly with Slush Puppy, now she has writing credits for WILD, and she'll 100% have more and more agency and be all over the new music they release next year. I fully trust Lara and her vision being in charge for the girls. It's exciting to anticipate what she's cooking

Sophia's mum continuing to promote the EP and Film. Definitely just a temporary hiatus, she'll be back.

8 hours ago, XXI. said:

I kind of hope they haven't started working on the album yet, because if they're starting recording... what about Sophia... and I know she's likely not coming back but Manon.

I truly think Sophia is only away temporarily and for all we know she could have already recorded her lines or they'll leave her recordings for when she's back.

With Manon, as delusional as I am about wanting her back I don't think they'll pause production whilst waiting for her. They'll either get her in the studio last minute if she decides to come back and mix her last or they'll announce her official departure but think it'll happen after the tour concludes this year.

1 hour ago, WERKER said:

I truly think Sophia is only away temporarily and for all we know she could have already recorded her lines or they'll leave her recordings for when she's back.

With Manon, as delusional as I am about wanting her back I don't think they'll pause production whilst waiting for her. They'll either get her in the studio last minute if she decides to come back and mix her last or they'll announce her official departure but think it'll happen after the tour concludes this year.

Manon has probably chosen to leave the group for whatever reasons. However, the door seems to have been left open for a potential return. I don't know if she wants to be a popstar, but HYBE and Geffen will probably have her do some minor acting roles in the future.

1 hour ago, The Prophecy said:

Manon has probably chosen to leave the group for whatever reasons. However, the door seems to have been left open for a potential return. I don't know if she wants to be a popstar, but HYBE and Geffen will probably have her do some minor acting roles in the future.

I'm still confused after the other users posts but feel like it's either 1) both her & the company somewhat agreed it wasn't a fit, it's over on both sides, she's annoyed they can't officially announce/she's been left in limbo cuz of contract stuff; or 2) she was fired (with the alleged delays she caused/wanting more time for herself being used as the reason) they may have tried to reopen the door, but she's rightfully pissed and hasn't engaged w them (and a 3rd which is this last one but they did not try to get her back at all and are just evil/messing with everyone I fear) I don't see how she comes back either way sadly but stranger things have happened

Right now Animal is the radio hit. Is it possible that that they will have 2 radio hits at the same time? Hootie Fruitti and Animal?

11 minutes ago, leonagwen said:

Right now Animal is the radio hit. Is it possible that that they will have 2 radio hits at the same time? Hootie Fruitti and Animal?

I don't see radio supporting Hottie Frutti just like they snubbed Gnarly, Pinky Up etc

6 minutes ago, Starkboy said:

I don't see radio supporting Hottie Frutti just like they snubbed Gnarly, Pinky Up etc

tbf I don't think the label even tried to work those at radio but yea

Hottie Frutti could be big in Brazil/LATAM, I think.

43 minutes ago, Starkboy said:

I don't see radio supporting Hottie Frutti just like they snubbed Gnarly, Pinky Up etc

They didn't even try. Gnarly would have been really hard to digest for the GP, but PINKY UP had a lot of potential in Europe and could have been marketed as a contemporary take on Vengaboys' craft.

So far, PINKY UP remains the best out of their discography for me, so much personality and so incredibly catchy. I can see HOTTIE FRUTTI snatching the 2nd place.

1 hour ago, Starkboy said:

I don't see radio supporting Hottie Frutti just like they snubbed Gnarly, Pinky Up etc

I don't think the label even sent those songs to radio, but they sent Internet Girl

@okgo Can you make out the lyrics from that vinyl unboxing video?

1 minute ago, The Prophecy said:

I don't think the label even sent those songs to radio, but they sent Internet Girl

@okgo Can you make out the lyrics from that vinyl unboxing video?

someone on genius already did: https://genius.com/albums/Katseye/Wild-target-exclusive

4 minutes ago, Velvet said:

wtf is kalshi

100k with a 5 song EP?? no way

also the Target exclusive press release:

https://corporate.target.com/press/fact-sheet/2026/08/katseye-wild-target-exclusive-music-kuromi-collection

apparently theres a Kuromi collab too?

Edited August 11Aug 11 by okgo

6 minutes ago, Velvet said:

Kalshi is literally just a syndicate of people guessing ... and usually it's just faux predicting until it inevitable switches up last second so this says nothing

1 minute ago, AshleyLovescats887 said:

Kalshi is literally just a syndicate of people guessing ... and usually it's just faux predicting until it inevitable switches up last second so this says nothing

Just a fun first numbers prediction

only the nora music prediction matters

why the on set pics look better they shouldn't have edited the official ones as much

We need the Nora predictions