KATSEYE Makes Billboard Hot 100 Debut at No. 92 with ‘Gnarly’
May 14, 2025
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According to the latest U.S. Billboard chart released on the 13th (local time), KATSEYE's digital single 'Gnarly' entered the Hot 100' for the first time this week at #92.
The song also stood out on the Billboard Global Chart. It ranked 39th and 47th in `Global 200.' Driven by this popularity, KATSEYE re-entered the chart 'Emerging Artist' at No. 11.
'Gnarly' previously predicted a splash in the mainstream pop market, ranking 52nd in the UK's official 'Single Top 100' (May 9-15). The world's largest music streaming platform Spotify 'Weekly Top Song Global' (counting period from May 2-8) also ranked 60th, raising expectations.
KATSEYE said in a hive "This moment is so overwhelming that it feels unrealistic. Listing on Billboard 'Hot 100' is like a dream for us. "We've been working really hard, and this result seems to be proof that hard work and passion will surely come to fruition. I hope our journey will inspire all the girls, boys, and anyone heading toward a bigger dream."
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'Gnarly' is a hyper-pop genre with dance and funk elements. Immediately after the release on the 30th of last month, there were many favorable reviews that the bold and experimental sound was fresh, while many responded that it was unfamiliar.
It's not that Hive and Geffen Records didn't expect this. 'Gnarly' was already secured during the preparation phase of KATSEYE's debut EP, and there were some voices of concern that it was still an early challenge for them. However, the creative team, including producers and songwriters, worked closely with Chairman Bang Si-hyuk at the time to complete the current track, which presupposes intense performance.
HxG Senior Creative Producer In Jung-hyun "KATSEYE has prepared for an explosive performance with an aura as an artist on stage."During the recording process, various attempts were made to contain KATSEYE's unique color without compromising the unique personality of the song. "
And KATSEYE chose Korean music broadcasting as the stage that could best express this, and it hit the spot. Their overwhelming performance based on bold music, unconventional styling and powerful performances caught the attention of global fans.
KATSEYE's Mnet 'M Countdown', KBS2 'Music Bank', MBC 'Show! Stage videos such as Music Center' and SBS'Inkigayo' gained popularity by rapidly spreading to various SNSs through word of mouth among global music fans. KATSEYE's 'Gnarly' performance video posted on the M2 'Studio Dance' channel has now exceeded 7.79 million views on YouTube.
The combination of attempts to break the existing framework, strategies to maximize the artist's original capabilities, and the remarkable growth of six members paid off. Hive and Geffen Records "Korea was the most effective stage to implement new music, concepts, visuals, and performances, and the strategic choice was effective."."
▶Hive's 'K-Pop Globalization' Experiment Works
The background of KATSEYE's success is Hive's development and production system, which has made K-pop a global cultural content. It wants to expand the outer edge of K-pop and contribute to K-pop's permanenceIt is also in line with the philosophy of Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who has said that "
In fact, KATSEYE was selected through a global audition project 'Dream Academy' and went through a process of building performance, vocal, and teamwork based on Korean training. The so-called 'K-pop methodology' is applied, but the concept and communication are teams that have been flexibly localized to fit the U.S. market.
There is a difference in the structure of the music industry between the United States and Korea. Korean agencies discover potential talents and develop them into artists through systematic education such as music, dance, and stage manners. The U.S. has few trainee systems, and labels contract artists who have already grown up to focus on marketing and distribution.
It was unclear whether 'K-pop DNA' could be incorporated into American markets with different cultural sentiments. However, Hive succeeded in transferring and optimizing the artist development system by transplanting the T&D Center, a K-pop production system, in the United States. Through this, KATSEYE was born, and they continued their stable activities and emerged as an iconic team that proved the global applicability of the K-pop system.
rightlight@sportschosun.com
