Although girl groups have been a part of pop culture for nearly a century, the genre’s representation of female unity and self-expression has always been relevant. KATSEYE’s popularity, along with other girl groups like TWICE and LE SSERAFIM, has not only contributed to the genre’s resurgence but also redefined it.
It was difficult for girl groups to break through to success in the 2000s and the early 2010s, with the most notable group being Fifth Harmony, which disbanded in 2018. At the time, solo artists were deemed more successful and organic while girl groups were seen as manufactured and fake.
Those sentiments changed with the introduction of Korean pop into Western culture. TWICE is a K-pop girl group that debuted in 2015. They quickly skyrocketed to global fame with the group’s viral choreography and distinctive personalities. Using this momentum, more K-pop girl groups emerged and gained similar popularity.
Junior Beatrice Toftey’s favorite group is LE SSERAFIM, a K-pop group known for their confident image and music style. The name LE SSERAFIM is an anagram for “I’m fearless.” Toftey loves their style and range.
“They can go really cool and edgy, or they can be cute,” Toftey said.
Freshman Lily Schwandt is a fan of TWICE; she admires their cohesive music and aesthetic as well as the music’s upbeat vibe. She attended their concert and was amazed by the performance.
The girl group KATSEYE rode a wave of exposure from the competition reality show “The Debut: Dream Academy,” where the group was formed, and the Netflix documentary “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE,” which was created after the show’s virality and the group’s immediate success.
Schwandt is a fan of KATSEYE and followed their journey through the show, watching them pass eliminations and tests.
While KATSEYE went through the traditional K-pop training system—a rigorous multi-year program—they are considered a global girl group. KATSEYE has six members from all over the world: the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland, and the U.S. The name KATSEYE references the gemstone cut cat’s eye, which looks different from every angle, reflecting the members’ diverse backgrounds.
Freshman Kaitlyn Pierce appreciates the group’s representation of different backgrounds. “I think it helps a lot of people who don’t normally see themselves in [the] music industry and have inspiration if they want to go into music in the future,” Pierce said.
Girl groups as a whole will never be tied to one specific sound or image; they evolve to reflect the world around them, and that’s what makes them meaningful.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Dec. 18, 2025
