KATSEYE members pose in the cover art for their new EP 'Wild'.
Rahul bhatt
In the landscape of modern music, few ventures have been as scrutinized as the joint collaboration between South Korean powerhouse HYBE and U.S.-based Geffen Records. Their primary output, the global girl group KATSEYE, has announced its next major move: the release of their third EP, WILD, scheduled for August 14, 2026.
While the official press release does not mention member Manon Bannerman’s status, she has been absent from all teasers and promo materials (including the cover art provided with the press release) following her hiatus announcement in February.
Bannerman was also not part of KATSEYE’s much talked about Coachella debut last week, although she was spotted multiple times in the crowd over the weekend.
Moreover, the official website store features ‘Member version’ CDs of only the five active members, but there has still not been an official announcement from Bannerman or HYBE and Geffen so the chances that she could resurface out of nowhere on their second Coachella weekend remain non zero.
This announcement follows a period of significant commercial momentum. The group’s 2025 EP, BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, reached the top five of the Billboard 200 and earned a GRAMMY nomination, establishing the group’s viability in a market often resistant to the "global group" format. For HYBE x Geffen, WILD represents an attempt to consolidate this market share and prove that the group's initial success was not merely a byproduct of their documentary-driven launch.
ForbesEverything That’s Happened Since KATSEYE Announced Manon Bannerman’s Hiatus
Sophia Laforteza, Yoonchae Jeong, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini and Megan Skiendiel of KATSEYE perform at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 1 - Day 1 on April 10, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Billboard via Getty Images
The timing of the announcement aligns with the group’s high-profile debut at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. KATSEYE performed on the Sahara stage last weekend, a set that drew varied but largely positive industry feedback.
During the set, the group premiered their latest single, “PINKY UP.” The track — a hyperpop-inflected club record — represents a shift toward a more aggressive, nihilistic aesthetic, a departure from the more polished pop tropes of their early releases. The accompanying music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali and produced by Roisín Moloney, includes high-profile cameos from Vivian Wilson and DJ Saturn Rising, signaling the group’s integration into the broader American fashion and art circles.
ForbesManon Spotted At Coachella After KATSEYE's Debut Performance Without HerBy Hannah AbrahamRight before their show, Coachella appeared to leak the announcement for WILD earlier than intended, with a video meant to be for the second weekend.
As the group prepares to return to the Sahara stage this Friday, April 17, the focus remains on whether the current configuration will remain the standard for the upcoming festival circuit.
ForbesCoachella Accidentally Plays New KATSEYE EP Announcement Before Debut PerformanceBy Hannah AbrahamTo analyze KATSEYE’s current standing requires looking at the "Global-First" infrastructure that birthed them. Unlike traditional K-pop exports that localize in Korea before attempting Western crossover, KATSEYE was developed through The Debut: Dream Academy and the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy. This pipeline was designed to combine the rigorous training methodologies of the South Korean system with Western A&R and distribution.
The data suggests the strategy is working. In 2025, KATSEYE was named one of Google’s top trending musicians in the U.S. and was crowned TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year. These metrics are more than just social media milestones; they are indicators of the group’s ability to capture Gen Z attention spans in a fractured media market.
The success of BEAUTIFUL CHAOS was the proof-of-concept for the HYBE x Geffen venture. Their first-ever tour sold out entirely, demonstrating that their digital engagement converts into tangible ticket sales, a metric that remains the ultimate test of an artist's longevity in the 2020s.
The industry’s recognition of KATSEYE has reached a new peak with the announcement of the 52nd American Music Awards nominations. The group secured nods in three major categories: New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video (for “Gnarly”), and Breakthrough Pop Artist.
These nominations place KATSEYE in direct competition with established Western pop acts, further distancing them from the "K-pop" sub-genre label and positioning them as a mainstream pop entity. For HYBE, this is a strategic win, as the company seeks to diversify its revenue streams and reduce its dependence on the traditional Korean domestic market. Fan voting for these categories is currently open via the AMAs website and Instagram, providing a real-time look at the group's mobilization power.
Following the second weekend of Coachella, KATSEYE is scheduled for a heavy summer festival run. These performances will serve as the primary marketing vehicle for the WILD EP release in August. The group is slated to headline the 2026 Head In The Clouds and Hinterland Music festivals, alongside a performance at New York’s The Governors Ball.
The release of WILD on August 14 will likely determine if KATSEYE can maintain their trajectory toward becoming a permanent fixture in the global pop hierarchy. While their debut was characterized by the novelty of their formation, their second and third years in the market — navigating personnel shifts and evolving sounds — will be the true measure of their sustainability. Pre-orders for the EP are currently available, signaling the start of a multi-month rollout designed to keep the group at the forefront of the summer music conversation.
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