KATSEYE is a global girl group that has taken over the music industry. Resulting from the reality-TV series Pop-Star Academy – KATSEYE, the six girls: Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae have formed one of the most iconic and memorable girl groups. Their talent has allowed their presence on social media to consume people’s screens and attention. Especially with the girl group being so diverse, people around the world are obsessed. Obsessed with their songs, dances, personalities, and visuals.
However, when they released “Gnarly,” fans were disappointed and polarized. Fans said it was a “flop” and cringy. This was due to past songs like “Touch” and “Debut” having a more pop-like sound and a softer vibe. Therefore, when “Gnarly” was released with its noisy and chaotic hyperpop sound, fans were disappointed. This initial shock was a major lead to the first wave of negative reactions and confusion. Additionally, lyrics like “Tesla” were widely mocked by fans until it was later revealed that this was a satirical take on consumer culture. This confusion and misinterpretation of the song’s satirical elements were generally seen throughout Eyekons (KATSEYE’s fanbase). For instance, the song’s use of meme culture with lyrics like “gang, gang, gang” was initially misunderstood as meaningless filler and inappropriate emulation of Black culture. However, it’s now been properly interpreted as commentary on K-pop’s history of cultural appropriation. The perception of the song began to shift significantly after KATSEYE delivered high-energy live performances on music shows. The live performances showcased the group’s stage presence and convinced many doubters that the track was intentionally absurd and satirical. Furthermore, the boldness of KATSEYE in “Gnarly” performances showcased to the world that they were to be distinguished and different from other girl groups. It proved to the world that they aren’t afraid to take risks and would not be confined to soft, pop songs, therefore helping them stand out among girl groups and the pop industry globally.
It was incredible to watch Eyekons eventually switch their take on “Gnarly.” From flop to iconic, the song was renamed as one of their best after being deemed cringy and noisy. This major shift in fans regarding the song is what I call the “Gnarly” effect: how the polarization the song generated led to both controversy and commercial success. As the saying goes, “All publicity is good publicity.” This sentiment is particularly evident in the “Gnarly” effect, where the initial controversy and negativity surrounding the song also drew attention and increased its popularity. This led to KATSEYE reaching a wider audience and gaining a larger fan base, while also earning a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Overall, the fascinating “Gnarly” effect reveals the results of a polarizing song as first being met with confusion and disappointment, yet now being deemed as iconic and a top hit.
