5 hours ago
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Korean netizens are loving it!
Koreaboo
3 minutes ago
While KATSEYE’s latest track “Gnarly” has sparked backlash among international fans, Korean netizens are taking a very different stance… many are loving it!
| @katseyeworld/X (formerly known as Twitter)The girl group returned on April 30 with “Gnarly,” marking their first release since the summer of 2024. Despite the group’s global exposure from the HYBE x Geffen “The Debut: Dream Academy” project, the new song quickly became a topic of controversy overseas.
International netizens criticized the lyrics, with many calling them awful or poorly written. Some even went so far as to label the track a major misstep for a group still trying to find its footing.
HYBE Blasted And Ridiculed For “Awful” Lyrics In New KATSEYE Song
However, in Korea, the reception has been surprisingly positive. Shortly after the song dropped, a post about “Gnarly” started trending on Instiz, a popular Korean online community. The comments there painted a much more favorable picture, with many praising the group’s bold style and fresh concept.
| @katseyeworld/X (formerly known as Twitter)Unlike modern mainstream K-Pop’s polished and often formulaic sound, “Gnarly” leans into a raw, attitude-heavy vibe that some say feels closer to more experimental genres. This difference seems to be striking a chord with Korean listeners, who seem happy and open to seeing something new in the industry.
Rather than focusing on lyrical depth, many commenters looked at the group’s strong stage presence and unique appeal.
| Instiz- “Wow, this definitely has a vibe you’d never see in K-Pop. Total hot girl energy.”
- “It’s more about the hype than being an actual masterpiece, but the members come off as super charismatic.”
- “Wow.”
- “Now I get why they made KATSEYE. It’s got a completely different flavor from K-Pop, lol.”
- “It’s cool.”
While some are still skeptical of KATSEYE’s direction, others see “Gnarly” as a bold and refreshing move.
English (US) · 