HYBE and Universal Music Group’s joint venture label, Gepen Records, have officially announced the debut date for the global girl group ‘KATSEYE.’

According to HYBE, KATSEYE’s first single will drop on the 28th at midnight (Eastern Time, USA). Fans can also look forward to their second single in July and an EP release in August.

KATSEYE was formed through the audition program ‘The Debut: Dream Academy,’ which aired from September to November last year. The group comprises six elite members selected from a pool of 6,000 applicants: Daniela (USA), Lala (USA), Manon (Switzerland), Megan (USA), Sofia (Philippines), and Yoonchae (South Korea).

KATSEYE is poised to make their debut in the mainstream pop market in the United States, marking them as the first girl group from HYBE and Gepen Records to promote locally. During a rigorous 90-day audition process, the members were evaluated on dance skills, vocal abilities, teamwork, concept adaptation, and artistic flair.

Their global fan base is already substantial. During the broadcast of ‘The Debut: Dream Academy,’ their community on the superfan platform Weverse saw active participation from fans across 220 countries and regions. Currently, KATSEYE’s fan community boasts nearly 300,000 members.

Industry insiders are closely watching their potential to further globalize the K-pop system. Earlier this year, Grammy.com featured them in the list of ‘11 Rookie K-Pop Acts To Know In 2024.’

Bang Si-hyuk, chairman of HYBE, expressed excitement during the ‘Dream Academy’ live finale, hoping that KATSEYE will become the voice of a new era, inspiring young people worldwide with the message that dreams can indeed come true.

Source(1)

Former S.E.S member Shoo (Yoo Soo Young) warmed hearts as she shared a touching moment with her twin daughters—taking them to the same wholesale market where she once worked during a difficult time in her life.

On May 8, Shoo posted several photos on Instagram showing her spending time with her twin daughters, Ra Hee and Ra Yul, at the Dongdaemun wholesale market. In the caption, she wrote, “Did everyone enjoy the holiday? I feel like I made a memory I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”

The photos showed Shoo and her daughters smiling brightly while eating and shopping together. Her daughters, now visibly grown up, were even seen wearing similar shoes and clothes as their mom.

Shoo opened up about a painful chapter in her past. “When I was struggling, I once sold clothes I got from Dongdaemun with the help of a friend,” she shared. “I used to go there from night to early morning, picking up fleece clothes, hairpins, and shoes, thinking, ‘My kids would love this if I brought them here.’”

Now that her daughters are older, Shoo finally fulfilled that dream. “We laughed so much while shopping. We bought hairpins, socks, and clothes together,” she said. “They’ve grown so much—they can even wear the same things as me.”

Reflecting on the experience, she added, “Memories of my past flashed before my eyes. I told them how I used to work late at night, carrying heavy bags and walking around for 10 hours straight.”

Shoo emotionally concluded, “I was so happy to show my kids the nighttime world I once worked in.”

Fans who remember Shoo’s twins from The Return of Superman were touched to see how much they’ve grown. Shoo, now a proud mom of three, continues to update fans through her TV appearances and social media, showing her strength as both a mother and former idol.

Source (1)