KATSEYE's 'Touch' Has an Unexpected Connection to NewJeans

KATSEYE's hit song "Touch" was originally created with NewJeans in mind, according to co-producer Taka Perry.

In a recent interview with Billboard Japan, Perry said he was a fan of NewJeans and had wanted to make a song with a similar sound. During a songwriting session with a friend in Sydney, Australia, he worked on several tracks, one of which became the original demo for "Touch."

The demo eventually made its way to HYBE through producer Cashmere Cat. Perry explained that his friend had sent the song to Cashmere Cat, who liked it and passed it along to a HYBE executive. The company was preparing to debut KATSEYE at the time and expressed interest in using the track as one of the group's signature songs.

Perry said he had no idea how widely the song would be released, let alone how successful it would become. It wasn't until "Touch" began spreading across social media that he realized how much attention it was receiving. He recalled checking social media every day as the song gained popularity in different countries.

Released on July 26, 2024, about a month after KATSEYE's debut, "Touch" became one of the group's biggest early hits. Its catchy chorus and simple hand choreography helped the song gain traction on TikTok. The track's production credits also include Cashmere Cat, Blake Slatkin and Omer Fedi.

KATSEYE is set to hold its first solo concert in South Korea on Feb. 4, 2027, at KSPO DOME in Seoul as part of its "THE WILDWORLD TOUR."