Coachella Cat-Eye Makeup Sparks Controversy

The group KATSEYE took the stage at the American Coachella Festival, but their performance sparked controversy due to its suggestiveness and vocal pitch issues. KATSEYE performed for about 45 minutes on the Coachella Sahara Stage on the 11th (Korean time), marking their first Coachella performance, a group jointly planned by HYBE and Geffen Records.

The controversy began with an choreography where member Lara Raj licked Megan Skiendiel's face. This choreography was originally intended to be performed between Lara and Manon Bannerman, but Megan stepped in due to Manon's absence. As this scene spread online, it drew criticism such as "disgusting" and "forced." Additionally, regarding other members' twerking performances, revealing outfits, and intimate body movements, some netizens reacted, "I was worried about unintentional exposure."

Vocal controversies also arose. In the Spanish bridge part of the song 'Gabriela,' lead vocalist Daniela Avanzini's off-key singing and unstable delivery were pointed out. Netizens criticized, "The same mistake even in a song performed 100 times."

On the other hand, there were also supportive opinions, stating, "Singing a full Spanish live section immediately after intense choreography is physically extremely difficult." This controversy gained more attention in conjunction with the past precedent of HYBE's group LE SSERAFIM being criticized for vocal pitch issues during intense choreography at Coachella.

There were also positive evaluations. Their joint performance of 'Golden' with HUNTR/X, the OST team for the Netflix animation 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' was cited as "one of the highlights of the Coachella weekend," and the audience's reaction at the venue was reportedly overwhelming.