KATSEYE goes WILD for the Citi Concert Series

Pop sensation KATSEYE has had a busy week in New York. From a pop-up at Elsewhere in Brooklyn for a special ‘KLUB KATSEYE’ Spotify collaboration to their second appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the girl group has made their rounds in New York City to promote their newest EP, WILD. On the morning of their third EP’s August 14 release, members Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel, Lara Raj, and Yoonchae Jueng woke up bright and early to celebrate WILD with a free performance in Rockefeller Center.

The highly successful girl group formed in 2023 through the reality survival show The Debut: Dream Academy. A project of HYBE x Geffen Records, KATSEYE is classified as a global girl group. Formed by intensive training and rigorous South Korean standards, the girls combine their diverse cultural backgrounds with the same K-pop ideologies that produced BTS, TXT, and LE SSERAFIM. The group consists of Lara Raj (USA, India), Megan Skiendiel (USA, China, Singapore), Yoonchae Jeung (South Korea), Sophia Laforteza (Philippines), Daniela Avanzini (USA, Cuba, Venezuela), and Manon Bannerman (Switzerland, Ghana). 

The six members take pride in taking care of their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, and for that reason, members Sophia and Manon were unable to attend this event. KATSEYE’s leader, Sophia, recently began her hiatus and plans to reassess her health in September, while the group’s visual, Manon, began a temporary hiatus in February. While promoting WILD in New York City, the group performed as a four-piece. Lara, Daniela, Megan, and Yoonchae represented a unified front, with Lara even stating, “We ride for them,” in response to questions regarding their group members’ hiatuses.

KATSEYE was one of the biggest bookings for the 2026 Citi Concert Series, filling the Plaza from front to back with EYEKONS – the girl group’s incredibly loyal, passionate fanbase. With many young girls in the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs for their bias onstage, it’s clear that KATSEYE’s rapid success is comparable to a current day Spice Girls or One Direction. Less than three years in, KATSEYE holds a spot as one of today’s top artists. 

The TODAY Plaza lit up as KATSEYE performed the second single off of WILD, “Animal.” Pre-recorded for the Third Hour of TODAY, the new hit demonstrated the girls’ flexibility and skill-set when missing a group member. Flawless in execution, their synchronized choreography captivated the audience while a backing track filled the air with Sophia’s missing vocals. Written by Ed Sheeran, “Animal” had nearly every fan learning the group’s addictive dance routine, moving like an animal from the spots they claimed in the early morning.

Donning bedazzled, heavily-beaded tropical outfits, Megan, Yoonchae, Lara, and Daniela moved in tandem as they transitioned to “Gabriela.” The Latin-inspired track off of their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, oozed sultry confidence as Megan led her groupmates down the catwalk to sing the chorus of the chart-topper. Having grown up in the Latin ballroom scene, Cuban-Venezuelan dancer Daniela particularly shined as she sang the bridge in Spanish.

Fan excitement grew as the four members got in formation for the first-ever performance of “Hootie Frutti.” A power anthem bathed in Portuguese techno, the new song’s seductive sound and easily danceable nature had the crowd entranced from beginning to end. Lara’s alluring vocal runs, paired with Yoonchae’s flirtatious spoken lines, tied the song into their recent hyperpop discography.

KATSEYE ended the morning with “PINKY UP,” the first single of their WILD era. Audible “Up’s!” shook the Plaza with the voices of thousands of fans singing along. Raising their pinkies in the air, Megan, Lara, Yoonchae and Daniela mastered their choreography confidently. The song’s hyperpop dance break had the KATSEYE members running to the catwalk to celebrate the end of their Citi Concert surrounded by EYEKONS. Preaching living in the moment and having a carefree spirit, “PINKY UP” was the feel-good finale needed to continue through the day.

WILD is available for purchase and streaming everywhere now, and KATSEYE will return to New York on October 24 and 25 at UBS Arena for THE WILDWORLD TOUR.