An enthusiastic crowd of nearly 8,000 fans filled the Huntington Bank Rotunda at the Mall of America on Saturday to see the global K-pop-inspired girl group KATSEYE perform live. The excitement was palpable as fans crowded four floors, eager for a glimpse of the six-member ensemble.
KATSEYE, managed by K-pop powerhouse HYBE in collaboration with American label Geffen Records, features members from the United States, the Philippines, Switzerland, and South Korea. The group made their debut in June with their single “Debut” and quickly gained international fame after the release of their Netflix documentary and survival show, Pop Star Academy, which aired in August and chronicled their journey to stardom.
Marcus Schweisthal, a 22-year-old from St. Michael, shared that it was the documentary that drew him to the event. “I had heard of mall performances before, but I would have never guessed that they would come to the Mall of America,” he said. “So it’s pretty fun to see it actually happening.”
KATSEYE’s debut album, SIS (Soft is Strong), which features hit singles “Touch” and “Debut,” made its way onto the U.S. Billboard 200 charts shortly after its release. Tickets for the performance sold out in minutes, according to a spokesperson for the mall, and many fans arrived hours early to secure their spots.
This marks KATSEYE’s first visit to Minnesota and their inaugural mall performance in the United States. The group has been extensively trained under the management of HYBE, which is known for launching K-pop giants such as BTS, NewJeans, and Le Sserafim.
Prior to their performance at the Mall of America, KATSEYE shared moments on social media visiting iconic Minneapolis landmarks, including Spoonbridge and Cherry and Prince’s star at First Avenue. Following the show, the group expressed their amazement at the enthusiastic turnout and promised their fans they would return.
Related Topics
Legends of American Country Music Set to Dazzle Worcester
