Katseye’s ‘Gnarly’ Takes Over Spotify Charts with Explosive Global Debut

There’s a saying in Korean pop culture: “A singer follows their song title.” For rookie K-pop sensation Katseye, that phrase has become more than just a clever adage — it’s becoming prophecy.

Their latest digital single, titled ‘Gnarly’, is living up to its name. A slang term meaning “awesome” and “intense,” the song is doing just that on the global stage. Within only 11 months since their debut, Katseye is rewriting the rules of success with a track that’s breaking through all expectations.

According to Spotify’s official social media post on May 8, ‘Gnarly’ debuted at #1 on the U.S. Top Songs Debut chart and #2 Globally for the tracking period of May 2–4. This achievement places them alongside music powerhouses like Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran.

Impressively, ‘Gnarly’ hit one million streams just 18 hours after release on April 30, a clear indication of its strong traction.

Not stopping there, the song has steadily risen on another major Spotify chart, the Daily Top Songs Global. It climbed from #91 on May 2 to #45 by May 6 — an exceptional trajectory for a K-pop girl group in its second year.

Musically, ‘Gnarly’ is a compelling blend of hyperpop fused with dance and punk elements, showcasing the group’s unique sonic palette. The track also stands out as a 19+ rated song — a bold move for a relatively new act, adding even more buzz to its release.

Fueling its popularity was Katseye’s dynamic string of live performances across South Korea’s major music shows, including Mnet and other national broadcasts from May 1 to 4. Their high-energy stage presence and captivating visuals have drawn major attention both domestically and internationally.

Looking forward, Katseye recently announced the release of their second mini album, ‘Beautiful Chaos’, set to drop on June 28. With the momentum of ‘Gnarly’, the road ahead looks anything but ordinary for this rising K-pop force.