Is KATSEYE the next BLACKPINK or are we asking the wrong question?
Impressive? Undeniably. But it's also important to remember that KATSEYE didn't come up through traditional K-pop systems. They're a joint HYBE and Geffen Records project, essentially a global experiment, armed with Netflix-level marketing and Western music infrastructure from day one. That's not a flaw. But it is a different game.BLACKPINK is tightly-knit, consisting of four members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa. All Korean (though Lisa is Thai), and they've stayed close to their K-pop roots while going global. That consistency helped build their mystique. They were aspirational, high-fashioned, and untouchable.KATSEYE? They're intentionally diverse, six women from six different cultural backgrounds. There's Yoonchae (South Korea), Sophia (Philippines), Lara (India – also openly queer, which is rare and powerful in this space), Manon (Switzerland + Ghana), Daniela (Mexico/US), and Megan (USA).That kind of representation matters. It makes their music and visuals feel more reflective of Gen Z's global mindset. You see it in their lyrics, their styling, even in how they interact with fans. It's less about the glossy idol fantasy and more about relatability and authenticity.But here's the interesting part: That multicultural approach is exciting, yes, but it also risks diluting a singular identity. BLACKPINK has an aesthetic and sonic signature. KATSEYE is still experimenting. Is that a strength or a challenge? Time will tell.BLACKPINK's visual universe is polished and carefully curated. They blend hard-hitting beats with soft elegance, what some call "femme fatale pop." Their stage presence is magnetic, and their production levels are insane. It's precision.KATSEYE? They're more experimental. 'Gnarly' is glitchy hyper-pop, while 'Gabriela' dives into dramatic Latin pop with a full-blown telenovela-style video featuring Jessica Alba. Their performances are energetic, but sometimes chaotic. They're clearly searching for a core sound. But honestly? That makes sense. BLACKPINK took years to settle into theirs too. advertisementBLACKPINK became global through the K-pop system. YG Entertainment focused on making them icons, not just idols. Their Western expansion happened slowly but effectively, backed by Coachella slots, collaborations with Dua Lipa and Selena Gomez, and high-fashion brand deals like Dior and Cartier.KATSEYE was built for globalisation from day one. Their Netflix documentary followed the group's creation like a Western pop biopic. HYBE clearly understood one thing: the future of pop might not speak just Korean, it speaks English, Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi, and beyond. That's revolutionary. But it also comes with risk. The K-pop model is successful because of its structure. KATSEYE is trying something much more flexible, more Western in feel.So are they the next BLACKPINK? The easy answer is no. And honestly? They don't need to be. It's not about being 'better' or 'bigger.' It's about approach. BLACKPINK is a legacy. KATSEYE is a possibility. One built a throne, the other is building a spaceship. So instead of comparing, maybe we should just watch closely.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
As BTS Jungkook shows off new chest tattoo in rare gym photo, fans dig out his old tattoo-less pics: ‘He's come so far'
It's not just the music that's evolving in K-pop; the idols are too. Jungkook, BTS's golden maknae, is no longer the baby-faced boy who debuted with shy smiles and schoolboy charm. A recent post-workout photo has fans buzzing after revealing his ever-growing tattoo collection — this time, a detailed chest piece that sparked an online frenzy. BTS Jungkook shows off new chest tattoo in rare gym photo The picture, shared by Jungkook's gym trainer Ma Sun Ho, captures the singer in a black tank, shorts, and a beanie, mid-coffee break after an intense session. While his face is partially hidden behind a mask, his newly visible chest tattoo wasn't, and it immediately stole the spotlight. Ma captioned the post with a playful jab at the idol's drive: 'Today is another JK and, why you gotta go so hard? Training continues even in Korea.' It didn't take long for ARMY to start dissecting the image. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'I can't wait until we get a clearer look and maybe even the story behind Jungkook's new tattoo, if he chooses to share it with us of course. From this photo it looks like an abstract design... what if it's something he drew himself? Regardless, JK and the tattoo look amazing!' Another joked, 'Don't let his jungkookieness distract you from his new tattoo peaking out.' But what really sent fans into nostalgic overdrive was when one user posted a throwback pic of Jungkook before he got inked — creating a dramatic before-and-after moment that felt like a snapshot of K-pop's shifting era. Gone are the days when BTS had to maintain a squeaky-clean, tightly curated image just to build a following. Now, in a world where Blackpink members push fashion boundaries on tour and idols like Bain from Just B come out onstage, Jungkook's tattoos feel less like rebellion and more like evolution. Whether this latest chest tattoo carries personal meaning or is simply an aesthetic choice, fans are absolutely here for it.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is SAO? Japanese 'Salarywoman' goes viral after 'Good morning' X post — why people are pitting her against Sydney Sweeney
Every day proves that absolutely anything can go viral on the internet, and you're often left wondering why. In one such case, a Japanese woman named SAO, real name Saori Araki, has exploded online, and even she seems a little baffled by it. Known to many simply as 'Salarywoman,' a photo of SAO posted to X (formerly Twitter) has garnered over 75 million views, sparking admiration, memes, and even odd comparisons to American actress Sydney Sweeney. SAO's viral photo that started it all If you're someone who scrolls X regularly, you've likely seen the now-famous photo. Dressed in a fitted grey business suit over a crisp white shirt, SAO is seen holding a laptop in both hands while slightly puffing her cheeks, flashing an adorably serious expression. Her short hair is loosely tied back, and her bangs fall over her forehead. The photo, posted on July 25 with the simple caption 'Good morning,' blew up instantly, amassing 75 million views, 228K likes, 16K reposts, and 2.5K comments. The look, the pose, and the vibe collectively sparked the internet's curiosity and affection. おはよう☀️ Who is SAO? Meet Saori Araki After going unexpectedly viral, SAO introduced herself to her growing fanbase. She revealed that she currently works as an office lady, or 'OL,' in Japan and is also active as a model and actress. She shared that she was formerly part of the J-pop idol group Tokyo Girls Bravo under the stage name Araki Saori before graduating from the group on February 28, 2025. Born on May 13, 1996, in Nagasaki, Japan, SAO has now turned her viral moment into an opportunity to connect more deeply with fans. With her newfound fame, SAO's follower count has skyrocketed. She currently has over 199K followers on Instagram and counting. Her calm, polished appearance mixed with her modest and quirky personality has struck a chord with fans both in Japan and overseas. SAO launches a YouTube channel after going viral Riding the wave of sudden fame, SAO thanked her followers on Instagram, posting more images from the same photoshoot. She revealed that the viral image was originally taken for a corporate photoshoot with Takeda Design and Manufacturing Co. Ltd. She then announced the launch of her official YouTube channel, which already has over 14.4K subscribers. In her first video—a Q&A format—she thanked fans for their support: 'Hello everyone, this is SAO. Thank you for watching this video. Over the past few weeks, my face has been spreading all over X worldwide. Thank you so much for that. So, I decided to start a YouTube channel. My first video will be Q&A-based. But if there's not much interest, I might just give up,' she said with a laugh. The video has already crossed 115K views in less than 24 hours. Why the Sydney Sweeney comparisons? The internet, being the internet, couldn't resist making strange comparisons. SAO's photo began circulating in meme threads where users contrasted her image with that of Western celebrities, particularly Sydney Sweeney, who also went viral around the same time for her American Eagle Great Jeans ad campaign. While there's no real connection between the two women, many of the memes followed a 'Which Way, Western Man?' format, suggesting SAO as a symbol of understated beauty and professionalism versus the flashier Western model stereotype. Some online users made comments implying that SAO, as an 'average Japanese salarywoman,' was more attractive or respectable than Hollywood figures like Sweeney, a discourse that, frankly, didn't need to happen. You have to choose…Sidney Sweeney #Sidneysweeney Japanese Salary Woman Araki Saori From an innocent 'Good morning' post to internet stardom, SAO's sudden rise to fame is yet another reminder of how fast and random virality can be. While the Sydney Sweeney comparisons may be unnecessary, there's no denying that SAO's natural charm and authenticity have captured the attention of millions, and she's making the most of it, one post at a time. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Pink Villa
5 hours ago
- Pink Villa
BTS' RM relaxes in Disneyland with HYBE staff, shares quote about ‘rewriting the narrative' amid working on new group album
BTS knows how to make the most of their time, maintaining a work-life balance like it's no one's business. Currently in the USA for working on their new album set for a release in early 2026, the boys have been spotted hanging out in Los Angeles, grabbing some Korean food at traditional spots in the city, going shopping, and now taking to an amusement park for a good time! According to onlookers on July 30, RM was spotted out and about in California, enjoying some rides at Disneyland with his agency's staff. Photos of RM walking at Disneyland were shared by fans online. According to the pictures, the singer was dressed in a denim shirt with butterfly motifs on them, over beige cargo pants and white sneakers. Covering his head with a navy cap, the star did not look bothered or attempt to disguise himself further. Taking his time to relax and away from probably music-heavy sessions in the studio, the BTS member is said to have enjoyed a ride on the rollercoaster. Another fan shared her experience of sitting in the same slot as the star, talking about how 'blessed' she felt. They crossed paths once again and it became a joyous moment for the BTS ARMY. Is RM planning to rewrite BTS' history? In other news, while the BTS leader did not post any photos from his Disneyland visit so far, he has taken to his Instagram to share a quote from a book he seems to be reading. Fans soon figured that it was a quote from Kim Young Ha's book One Life, who was RM's fellow cast member on the talk show Dictionary of Useless Human Knowledge. Multiple paragraphs in the photo, the rapper had underlined the words talking about aptly changing your narrative to merge it with the ending. "Like a ferryboat without a boatman reaching the shore carried by the current, life drifts and arrives somewhere. The future was its destination. [What we all we is,] It's about rewriting the narrative of the past to align with the ending."
