Hive’s global girl group KATSEYE revealed they have received thousands of death threats online since their debut last year.
In an interview with the BBC on the 11th (local time), KATSEYE member Lara said, “I try to tell myself it’s okay, but when 1,000 people send death threats, it’s shocking,” and added, “Even if it doesn’t actually happen, it’s overwhelming.”
Leader Sophia emphasized, “We chose to step in front of the public, and we know some of what happens to us is part of the fame,” but added, “But that doesn’t change the fact that we are human.”
She continued, “Our career may be short, but it already feels like too much has been said to us and our families.”
Member Manon described this situation as “it feels like being mentally terrorized.”
Lara, an American citizen of Indian descent, also suffered from racial criticism. She confessed, “A false report that I am living and working illegally in the US was even filed with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”
Lara pointed out the sexist criticism KATSEYE has received by saying, “People see us as women ranked and evaluated,” and “The way our looks, singing skills, and dancing skills are graded and competed against each other feels dystopian.”
In response, Manon added, “It’s a mentally very exhausting culture.”
Lara mentioned she deleted her X account to avoid negative online opinion, saying, “I realized I don’t need to be swayed by other people’s opinions.”
KATSEYE is a global girl group formed in the US by Hive in partnership with Geffen Records under Universal Music.
The six-member group consists of Manon (Swiss), Sophia (Filipino), Daniela, Lara, Megan (American), and Yoonchae (Korean), attracting attention as a multinational and multiracial group.
KATSEYE garnered attention in the Western market with tracks like ‘Gnarly’ and ‘Gabriela’, and even topped Spotify’s global girl group listening charts with 33.4 million monthly listeners.
On the 8th, they garnered attention by being nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Best Pop Duo/Group Performance’ at the ‘68th Grammy Awards’.
