{"id":749603,"date":"2026-10-21T22:31:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T19:31:05","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2026-10-21T22:31:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T19:31:05","slug":"katseye-vcha-amp-saint-satine-can-the-k-pop-system-work-internationally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/katseye-vcha-amp-saint-satine-can-the-k-pop-system-work-internationally\/","title":{"rendered":"KATSEYE, VCHA, &amp;amp; Saint Satine: Can the K-pop system work internationally?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aef635e0690e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aef635e0690e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/katseye-vcha-amp-saint-satine-can-the-k-pop-system-work-internationally\/#K-pop_is_catapulting_Western_performers_into_mainstream_pop_stardom_but_integrating_its_rigid_methodology_hasnt_been_smooth\" >K-pop is catapulting Western performers into mainstream pop stardom, but integrating its rigid methodology hasn\u2019t been smooth.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"deck\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"K-pop_is_catapulting_Western_performers_into_mainstream_pop_stardom_but_integrating_its_rigid_methodology_hasnt_been_smooth\"><\/span>K-pop is catapulting Western performers into mainstream pop stardom, but integrating its rigid methodology hasn\u2019t been smooth.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"content_blocks\">\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285433\" class=\"content_block breaker triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left image\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1440,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_220,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 220w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_300,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 300w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 400w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_600,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 600w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_750,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 750w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_840,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 840w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_960,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 960w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1260,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 1260w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/thefader-res.cloudinary.com\/private_images\/w_2400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best\/GettyImages-2234202985_znmksb\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system.jpg 2400w,\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"KATSEYE, VCHA, &amp; Saint Satine: Can the K-pop system work internationally?\"><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"img_caption\"><\/p>\n<p>  <span class=\"credit\"><\/p>\n<p>      Mike Coppola\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285429\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            KATSEYE\u2019s day-to-day mirrors the flawless K-pop package, from grueling preparation and glossy visuals to practice videos and live music performances (and their accompanying <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2tyO5KhVnWI\">fancams<\/a>). The group taps into fan service inspired by South Korean idol culture: Fans pick their favorite member or \u201cbias,\u201d their new music is dubbed a \u201ccomeback,\u201d and the members refer to their supporters as \u201cEYEKONS.\u201d\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            What sets KATSEYE apart from its peers is that it doesn\u2019t adhere to traditional K-pop standards. They\u2019re marketed as a \u201cglobal group,\u201d and all of their songs are in English. The former sextet doesn\u2019t follow South Korea\u2019s cultural norms either: members are outspoken about their opinions. They open up about their portrayals on <i>Pop Star Academy<\/i> (the Netflix docu<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series<\/a> that chronicled their lives before and during <i>The Debut: Dream Academy<\/i>) and address topics that most K-pop stars typically refrain from, including their personal lives and sexualities (Lara and Megan have <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.them.us\/story\/katseye-bisexuality-criticism-response-dating\">come out as queer and bisexual<\/a>, respectively). HYBE and Geffen Records\u2019s experiment not only placed a new girl group on the radar, but it offered a first-ever glimpse at how K-pop methodology might be deployed on the other side of the globe.\n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285436\" class=\"content_block breaker triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left embed\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"\">\n    <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"[HYBE x Geffen] Dream Academy - Mission 2 &quot;FEARLESS&quot; (TEAM B)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HX7wmXNzKvE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285430\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            The K-pop industry \u2014 a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.morganstanley.com\/ideas\/k-pop-investment-potential\">multi-billion-dollar money magnet<\/a> \u2014 has had its eyes set on world domination for decades, but South Korea\u2019s musical acts rarely strayed outside of its borders. From the late 1990s up until the 2010s, entertainment companies typically recruited at least one non-Korean member of Asian descent from neighboring countries like China or Japan (artists from Thailand or of mixed descent were still few and far between). But as K-pop deepened its ties with international collaborators, especially Westerners \u2014 including songwriters, producers, choreographers, and stylists \u2014 it was only a matter of time before record labels raced to engineer the next generation of girl and boy bands that reflected its diverse influences.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            But K-pop\u2019s integration in the West has exposed a dark underbelly. Korea&#8217;s rigid entertainment system is proving to be a culture shock, and the issues arising are impacting \u2014 and stunting \u2014 artists just as they begin to gain momentum.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            There\u2019s no denying the K-pop playbook has panned out well for KATSEYE (granted, resources have well paved the way for their success). In three years, the group has amassed a handful of awards, festival <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>earances, chart-topping (and at times, polarizing) singles, and endless viral moments. But KATSEYE has also had a dwindling member count: Since February, Manon has been absent from KATSEYE to focus on her \u201chealth and wellbeing.\u201d Six months later, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teenvogue.com\/story\/katseye-leader-sophia-laforteza-announces-temporary-hiatus-from-the-group\">Sophia<\/a> announced a mental health hiatus from the group. \n          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285434\" class=\"content_block breaker triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left embed\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"\">\n    <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"KATSEYE Speaks Out on Sophia and Manon&amp;apos;s Hiatuses\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-ngB9muyx7k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285431\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            The way Sophia\u2019s hiatus has been handled \u2014 with frequent updates from KATSEYE, HYBE X Geffen, and Sophia herself \u2014 is in stark contrast to the <i>lack<\/i> of transparency surrounding Manon&#8217;s situation. Naturally, that ambiguity has only amplified speculation about Manon&#8217;s long-term future in the group. As an outside observer, I&#8217;ve always found it disheartening how Manon, the only Black member of the group, has been branded as &#8220;lazy&#8221; since <i>Dream Academy<\/i>. This perception feels targeted, especially considering the singer has spoken about not wanting to push through burnout or injury. Allegations of mistreatment and tensions within the group only add fuel to the flame; it&#8217;s equally heartbreaking to accept that the group\u2019s &#8220;sisterhood&#8221; may have been a marketing facade from the beginning.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            <br \/>Meanwhile, the direction of HYBE and Geffen\u2019s upcoming project, Saint Satine, already feels questionable. Former <i>Dream Academy<\/i> castmates Emily, Samara, and Lexie were rounded up alongside Sakura, who was placed into the unit via the Japanese competition series <i>World Scout: The Final Piece<\/i>. But the lineup suddenly changed after <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teenvogue.com\/story\/saint-satine-member-lexie-is-leaving-the-group\">Lexie announced her departure in July<\/a>, citing creative differences ahead of the group\u2019s official debut. As of now, the group is <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/weverse.io\/saintsatine\/notice\/37480\">continuing as a trio<\/a>. Considering that the reason Lexie dropped out of <i>Dream Academy<\/i> in the first place was the high-pressure environment and how the process pitted the girls against each other, her departure from Saint Satine suggests that there are overarching issues regarding K-pop\u2019s cultural assimilation.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            While Lexie managed to wiggle out of her ironclad contract ahead of Saint Satine\u2019s debut, VCHA wasn\u2019t so fortunate. The girl group was formed in 2023 from South Korea\u2019s JYP Entertainment and U.S. label Republic Records via <i>A2K<\/i>, a competition series built to create the first American girl group according to the K-pop formula. The series followed a similar outline to <i>Dream Academy<\/i>: 11 contestants endured a whirlwind of K-pop vocal and dance lessons, character assessments, and \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=80AnYMKCobE\">star quality<\/a>\u201d evaluations. Six girls aged 14 to 18, were plucked to join the final lineup: Lexi, Camila, Kendall, Savanna, KG, and Kaylee.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285435\" class=\"content_block paragraph embed triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"media_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"\">\n    <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"[HYBE x Geffen] WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE \u2018PARTY b4 the PARTY\u2019 Live Performance\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ofI7CPSvk60?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n<\/style>\n<div id=\"content_block-285432\" class=\"content_block paragraph text triple_gutter_right triple_gutter_left center_align\">\n<div class=\"content_inner_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"paragraph_wrapper center_align\">\n<p>\n            Right as the group began gaining traction, one of its original members, KG, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_new\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2025-06-03\/kg-crown-kpop-vcha-jyp-entertainment-lawsuit\">sued JYP over alleged abuse<\/a> and exploitative working conditions (Both parties settled in August 2025). Amidst the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>, Kaylee left the group. The four remaining members of VCHA were later revived as GIRLSET. While the group\u2019s rebrand \u2014 a more mature approach than their previous tween concept \u2014 has received positive reception, there\u2019s a pit in my stomach every time I tune in. There\u2019s something unsettling about supporting a label that once sent these young girls on a downward trajectory, nearly derailing their careers before they started and even allegedly leading one to attempt suicide.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            Given the overwhelming fan support for GIRLSET, KATSEYE, and Saint Satine, more global groups formed under the hybridized American-Korean training system are bound to emerge, but I question their long-term viability. Structural and cultural differences have already sliced into the groups\u2019 productivity. Nonstop activity and unrelenting public scrutiny are already shaping up to hold artists back from carving out an authentic image in an oversaturated market. Only time will tell if management will listen to feedback and adjust their strategy for the benefit of their artists and their expanding international audience.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            If not, we could continue to witness the repercussions of treating performers merely as products. So far, KATSEYE serves as a microcosm of the contemporary pop factory process: Their schedules are designed to maintain momentum and fuel the news cycle. The members\u2019 ethnicities are integral to their personal marketing, and even Lara and Megan\u2019s sexualities have been turned into branding opportunities.\n          <\/p>\n<p>\n            It\u2019s not so different from girl groups we\u2019ve seen in the West before. In the 2010s, the British quartet Little Mix and the American quintet Fifth Harmony, both formed through talent competitions, serve as cautionary tales of what can happen. There are many parallels: poor management, enforced images, lack of autonomy, and the departure of star members contributed to the downfall of both groups. Perhaps all paths lead down the same road, but I can&#8217;t help but hope that these girls finally break the cycle.\n          <\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"padding-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px; text-align: left;\">\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"author\">\n    <span><br \/>\n      By <span class=\"credit_name\">India Roby<\/span><br \/>\n  <\/span><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more Like this articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Social Media category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thefader.com\/2026\/10\/21\/katseye-vcha-saint-satine-global-girl-groups-k-pop-system\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>K-pop is catapulting Western performers into mainstream pop stardom, but integrating its rigid methodology hasn\u2019t been smooth. Mike Coppola\/Getty Images KATSEYE\u2019s day-to-day mirrors the flawless K-pop package, from grueling preparation and glossy visuals to practice videos and live music performances (and their accompanying fancams). The group taps into fan service inspired by South Korean idol&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-749603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-social-mediaa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749603"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749603\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}