Is the Workload Excessive? Comparing KATSEYE's Packed Schedule With TWICE and Sabrina Carpenter

From arena tours and award shows to fashion events and health-related absences, a comparison of KATSEYE, Sabrina Carpenter and TWICE examines whether the group's demanding schedule is unusual in global pop.

The postponement of three KATSEYE concerts following member Megan's concussion has reignited concerns over the demands placed on the global girl group. However, a comparison with established Western and K-POP artists suggests that the issue may be more complicated than simply having too many performances.

On Nov. 3, KATSEYE postponed their Detroit concert just 30 minutes before its scheduled start, initially citing Megan's illness. The group subsequently postponed its Chicago and Minneapolis performances on Nov. 5 and 7, respectively, after confirming that Megan was recovering from a concussion.

The setbacks followed Megan's ankle injury during rehearsals in August, which forced the group to withdraw from Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields festival. Meanwhile, Manon and Sophia have been absent from the touring lineup for health-related reasons, leaving KATSEYE performing with four members before the latest postponements.

While these circumstances have raised questions about the sustainability of the group's rapid international expansion, demanding schedules and health-related interruptions are hardly exclusive to KATSEYE.

KATSEYE's North American itinerary included 21 concerts across 19 cities between Oct. 13 and Nov. 28, requiring frequent relocation throughout the approximately seven-week period.

By comparison, Sabrina Carpenter scheduled 17 performances between Oct. 23 and Nov. 23, 2025, during the final North American leg of her "Short n' Sweet Tour." However, those concerts were concentrated in just five cities, including five nights at Madison Square Garden and six at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena.

Dua Lipa followed a similar approach during her 2025 "Radical Optimism Tour," scheduling multiple performances in major cities including New York and Los Angeles.

Although both Western artists maintained similarly demanding concert schedules, KATSEYE's itinerary involved more frequent changes of location, highlighting how touring intensity cannot be measured by performance numbers alone.

Beyond concerts, KATSEYE's 2026 calendar included a Grammy Awards appearance, Coachella, the American Music Awards, Korean music-show promotions and festivals including Governors Ball and Head in the Clouds.

The group also balanced magazine interviews, brand partnerships and fan events with the August release of their third EP, "WILD," ahead of their European and North American arena tours.

Yet comparable promotional demands are evident among Western performers. Carpenter released "Man's Best Friend" in August 2025, performed at the MTV Video Music Awards in September and hosted "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 18, just five days before resuming her North American tour. Dua Lipa similarly combined international touring with fashion campaigns, interviews and activities associated with her media platform, Service95.

Perhaps the most striking comparison, however, comes from K-POP group TWICE, who performed at the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show while carrying out their "THIS IS FOR" world tour.

Following concerts in Singapore on Oct. 11 and 12, members Nayeon, Momo, Jihyo and Tzuyu traveled to New York for the fashion show on Oct. 15. They returned to South Korea on Oct. 17, ahead of TWICE's tenth-anniversary fan meeting the following day.

The schedule also coincided with the Oct. 10 release of the group's anniversary album, "TEN: The Story Goes On," before touring resumed in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 25.

KATSEYE experienced a similar overlap this year. Following their Oct. 15 concert in Atlanta, the group performed at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on Oct. 18, before returning to their arena tour in Charlotte two days later.

Both groups therefore incorporated a major American fashion performance into an ongoing international tour, although TWICE's appearance involved four of its nine members rather than the entire group.

Health-related interruptions have also affected TWICE throughout their touring activities.

In October 2025, Jeongyeon missed the group's Bulacan concert due to health concerns. The following month, Chaeyoung temporarily suspended activities after being diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, missing several concerts in Asia.

Further absences followed in 2026 as Jeongyeon missed a Phoenix performance due to flu-related symptoms, while Dahyun withdrew from multiple concerts after suffering an ankle fracture. Mina also missed the group's Philadelphia concert due to poor health.

Despite these interruptions, TWICE continued performing with reduced lineups rather than postponing the affected concerts.

KATSEYE initially adopted a similar approach while Manon and Sophia were absent, although Megan's concussion ultimately led to three consecutive postponements.

However, the difference does not necessarily indicate that one group is better equipped to handle touring. Medical circumstances, recovery requirements and performance arrangements can all influence whether a concert proceeds.

Another important distinction is career experience. TWICE debuted in 2015 and has spent more than a decade developing its international touring infrastructure. Carpenter and Dua Lipa similarly established their careers over several years before undertaking their recent large-scale tours.

KATSEYE, by contrast, debuted in 2024 and has rapidly expanded into major festivals, award ceremonies and international arenas while balancing promotional expectations associated with both Western pop and K-POP.

Their comparatively short career history does not suggest an inability to handle demanding performances, but the group's rapid rise could explain a lot. The majority of the members are still new to not just the K-POP system but to touring, promoting and general activities required when becoming a recording artist. While it is a lifestyle that many could get accustomed to, the pacing matters as going too fast could lead to a crash and burn.

Based on publicly available schedules, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that KATSEYE performs more frequently than comparable global artists. Carpenter and Dua Lipa have maintained similarly dense touring calendars, while TWICE has balanced international concerts with album releases, promotional events and health-related absences.

Nevertheless, publicly documented schedules offer only a partial picture. Rehearsals, filming, travel arrangements and recovery periods are rarely disclosed, making it impossible to determine whether excessive scheduling contributed to the group's recent health setbacks.

Ultimately, the comparison suggests that demanding schedules and health-related interruptions are not unique to KATSEYE. Rather than questioning whether the group works harder than its peers, the greater concern may be whether rapidly rising artists receive the flexibility and support needed to sustain their careers.