HYBE and Geffen Records' global girl group KATSEYE made the New York Times' year-end lists, which selected the best people and works across U.S. culture, arts and media, appearing on two lists.
The New York Times on the 7th (local time) announced "Best of 2025." Among them, KATSEYE's second EP track "Gnarly" ranked No. 2 in the "Best Songs of 2025" category. The New York Times praised the song's originality and genre expansion, saying, "The symphony of dissonance and machine sounds in 'Gnarly' is experimentation, globalization, deconstruction and celebration itself."
"Gnarly" is a song that adds dance and punk elements to the hyper-pop genre. Global hitmakers including producer Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, "hitman" bang, and Slow Rabbit joined forces to create bold and experimental sounds, causing a sensation when the song was released in April.
It wasn't only the music that drew attention. KATSEYE was also included on the list "The Most Stylish People of 2025," ranking among pop star Sabrina Carpenter and Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani. The New York Times mentioned KATSEYE's campaign with U.S. apparel brand Gap, "Better in Denim," noting their diversity and inclusivity.
The New York Times said, "KATSEYE set a new standard for style and self-expression remarkable enough to be Grammy Award nominees within a year of debut." The group is actually nominated in two categories at the 68th Grammy Awards, held on Feb. 1 next year: "Best New Artist" and "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance."
KATSEYE hugely expanded its global influence this year. Their EP "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS" reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 (July 12 chart), and the track "Gabriela" reached a peak of No. 31 on the Hot 100 (Nov. 29 chart). "Gnarly" also entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 90 (June 21 chart) and has been loved as it steadily moved up and down the chart.
KATSEYE was formed through the audition project "Dream Academy," based on the "K-pop methodology," and debuted in the U.S. in June last year. Considered a representative success of the multi-home, multi-genre strategy led by HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk, they are currently meeting fans on their North American tour "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS."
[Photo] HYBE x Geffen Records
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