The LA-based girl group KATSEYE functions as a grand experiment, a chance to see whether the K-pop idol model will work in the US and across the rest of the world. In some ways, it's a tremendous success. KATSEYE have made a lot of social-media noise, and they've got a few genuine viral hits. They got a Best New Artist nomination and then gave a standout Grammys performance. They do brand deals all the time. They'll make their much-hyped Coachella debut tomorrow. But in other ways, KATSEYE are very much an open question. At the moment, the group's membership isn't quite settled.
Earlier this year, KATSEYE's team announced that the Swiss-born Manon Bannerman, the group's only Black member, would take a hiatus to focus on "personal health and wellbeing." Since then, the other five members have been performing without her. Last week, Manon released a statement, thanking everyone for "patience and kindness" and adding, "[HYBE and Geffen] and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I'm happy and I'm healthy. I'll share more soon." She also removed KATSEYE from her Instagram bio.
Today, The Korea Herald reports that Manon "remains on hiatus" and will not rejoin KATSEYE at Coachella. K-pop companies like HYBE have earned reputations for overworking and underpaying their stars. Some fans were upset when Manon did not appear in the teaser for the group's new single "Pinky Up," and they're even madder now that she's not in the song's video or its promotional materials, either.
What is happening to Manon could easily happen to another member. A true EYEKON would not support this comeback #BoycottPinkyUp.
— KATSEYE News (@NewsKatseye) April 9, 2026
KATSEYE News will be fighting for the KATSEYE we all wanted, supported, and loved. All six members make the group.
Their label needs to do better. https://t.co/UPcrdGuBEC
Nevertheless, the promotional train rolls on, and "Pinky Up" is out today. It's a piece of dizzy, hyperactive, meme-addled, not-uncatchy rave-pop written by a team of song-machine professionals: Justin Tranter, Skyler Stonestreet, Sorana, Magsy, and dwilly. HYBE founder "hitman" Bang co-produced the song with dwilly and FRANTS. Bardia Zeinali directed the disorienting video. If you're curious, check it out below.
KATSEYE have been active for less than two years, and they don't have an album yet. Pop groups like this rarely last for a long time, but they usually go longer than this before things start to fall apart. We'll just have to see what happens here.
