KATSEYE's Pre-Debut 'Beef' With Manon Divides Fandom — What Happened?
Following a documentary, the discord between HYBE's girl group KATSEYE and member Manon is drawing mixed reactions from their fandom EYEKONS.
On Aug. 21st, HYBE x Netflix released a new docuseries, "Popstar Academy," featuring the journey of the K-pop-trained global girl group, KATSEYE.
The group is comprised of six final members who debuted in June with the track, "DEBUT." On August 5, they made a speedy comeback with the single, "Touch," which is currently a viral sound on TikTok.
While the group's fame is growing, HYBE announced a shocking promotion for the team, which is to release a documentary. For a rookie who was just launched two months ago, this is an unusual move.
However, it was eventually released despite some criticism. Here, the pre-debut journey of the initial 10 members was shown, including their training and hardships.
Upon its release, the docuseries successfully amassed a large number of views; unfortunately, it was for a different reason.
On TikTok and X, snippets from the show widely circulated among EYEKONs (fandom) but only one scene truly went viral, and it was the part where KATSEYE was "beefing" with Manon.
— ͏📁 (@lidolmixlog) August 24, 2024
ALSO READ: KATSEYE 'Debut' Draws Mixed Reactions From K-Netz: 'It Feels Cheap...'
In the first episodes, Manon was seen joining the pre-debut team later than the other members, and her lack of skills was often mentioned.
Not only this but she has been called out for being late at practices and breaking curfews, leading her to live with her aunt instead of the dorm instead.
The program manager originally came to a decision that they would not add Manon to the group but when the audition program, "Dream Academy" was broadcast, the member captured many hearts and became a fan-favorite, adding to the major "plot twist."
In the latter part of the series, the girls finally confronted Manon and told her their concerns. Manon tried to defend herself, pointing out that she had been sick, but the other members made her listen to them first and stated their desire to be with "her."
The issues were somehow resolved when Manon apologized and suggested the members just speak to her directly if they had problems with her.
Upon the series, discord between the KATSEYE fandom also started. Manon fans sympathized with her and claimed that the members and the staff were mistreating her and trying to gang up on her, despite her being sick.
What a lot of people don’t realize is the cultural difference here. Manon was raised in Switzerland. They prioritize Physical and Mental health in schools above everything so from her perspective she thought it was ok to take a day off. https://t.co/D2nmMCntRo
— Yara🎀 (@ReginaMang34089) August 24, 2024
why does everyone conveniently always miss the part where she says she wouldnt show up to practice because she was sore or because she viewed this as "school" and saw taking a day off as no problem. thats what ezrela was talking about and everyone perceives it as shade. https://t.co/DoYWB0daJp
— 🎥 (@solfilmzz) August 24, 2024
This whole situation is so funny to me because it’s just widespread cope. If Manon is able to miss lessons and still be better than 80% of you then maybe your dream isn’t yours to live. https://t.co/xfyANvFXHY
— Silk Press of KH 地下 ✨ (@starstorm1234) August 24, 2024
On the flip side, there are also EYEKONs who understood the concerns of the other members and called out Manon supporters for trying to paint her as the victim and the rest of KATSEYE as "jealous" members.
This clip puts everything in the right context regarding the issues about: 1) skipping practices; 2) breaking rules and curfews; 3) needing special housing arrangements; 4) being unresponsive to calls/texts. Just overall lack of professionalism affecting her team’s performances. https://t.co/KKhxf3jOSW pic.twitter.com/hkpNYsBj7R
— Sir NSWERR (@SirNswerr) August 24, 2024
The way people are using the “she was sick” as an excuse to hate on other girls when there is literally a scene where a perfectly NOT SICK Manon says she gonna “skip” rehearsal. It’s good that she did better in the end, but the girls’ frustration is valid https://t.co/dMCb5585bi
— BONOBONOYAAAAA⁷ (@planet875) August 24, 2024
Im starting to feel like Manon IS the problem coz aint now way 20 girls have beef with her for no reason. https://t.co/mDEjfQPYGu
— Cute | GG fan | Multi (@realestkpopfan) August 24, 2024
READ MORE: KATSEYE Fandom Name Draws Negative Reception — Why is iKON Being Mentioned?
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
