KATSEYE's Unexpected Young Audience and the Appeal It Shares With IVE

KATSEYE has drawn attention for the number of young children spotted at its recent European concerts. Videos and reviews from the tour have surprised some observers, given the group's mature pop image. IVE, widely nicknamed a "chotongryeong" in Korea—a term for celebrities especially popular with elementary schoolchildren—offers a similar example.

Neither group was created specifically for children, but both have found an audience among them. Their appeal shares two key elements: music and choreography that are easy to engage with, and artists young fans want to emulate.

KATSEYE began its European tour in Dublin on Sept. 1. At the group's London concerts, clips of young fans singing and dancing prompted jokes from some attendees, including one who said they thought they had arrived at a Wiggles concert. Others questioned why children enjoying the show should be considered a problem.

The reaction partly reflects KATSEYE's image as a global pop group with a mature, assertive side, as heard in songs such as "Gnarly" and "Gabriela." However, the videos alone cannot establish how much the overall age profile of the fandom has changed.

IVE's popularity among children developed through a different route. When the group debuted in 2021, it drew attention through Wonyoung and Yujin's existing recognition, polished visuals and a concept centered on self-confidence. Hits including "LOVE DIVE," "After LIKE" and "I AM" subsequently reached a broad audience, including elementary schoolchildren.

As fans began learning the dances and exchanging photocards with friends, IVE became closely associated with the "chotongryeong" label. Its popularity among children grew alongside its wider success rather than through a shift toward children's content.

One reason both groups appeal to young fans is their memorable music and choreography. IVE's "LOVE DIVE" features a distinctive chorus and hand movements, while "After LIKE" combines an upbeat rhythm with a familiar melody. "I AM" builds toward a soaring chorus and confident performance.

KATSEYE's music offers similar points of entry. "Touch" became widely recognizable through its short, repetitive chorus and point choreography, while "Gnarly" and "Internet Girl" have attracted attention for their distinctive rhythms and performance moments. These songs give young listeners recognizable sections they can sing or dance along to without memorizing the entire track.

Short-form video helps those moments spread. A child may learn a dance through TikTok or YouTube Shorts before hearing the full song, then discover more of the group's music through friends or other videos. The same choreography can become something to practice and share with classmates.

The members themselves are another reason young fans become attached to IVE. Their confidence onstage and approachable personalities in variety content make them both stars to admire and people fans can connect with. The group's messages of self-love reinforce that appeal, offering young fans role models whose confidence, style and performances they may want to look up to.

KATSEYE offers a different kind of aspirational image through its multicultural lineup and powerful performances. Its six members come from a range of backgrounds, including Filipino, Korean, Indian American, Cuban-Venezuelan American, Swiss-Ghanaian and Chinese American. This diversity gives some young fans the opportunity to see a performer who resembles them or shares part of their cultural identity, creating a sense of connection and inspiring them to imagine themselves on a global stage.

The two groups do not present the same image. IVE emphasizes polished glamour and confidence, while KATSEYE leans into the individuality and energy of a global pop group. What they share is the ability to appear aspirational while still offering something fans can participate in, whether through learning a dance, copying a style or sharing a favorite performance.

IVE and KATSEYE show how mainstream pop can appeal to young fans without being designed for them. Memorable music and choreography draw children in, while the members' personalities and performances give them someone to admire. Their popularity suggests that a group's appeal can extend across age groups when its music and star power connect with listeners.