If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. KATSEYE is giving fans another look behind the curtain. The six-member girl group, which has spent the past two years turning viral hits into a full-fledged pop phenomenon, is the subject of a new documentary, “Katseye: Wild Hearts,” arriving on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday, Oct. 16.
The 80-minute film picks up where Netflix’s 2024 docuseries “Pop Star Academy: Katseye” left off. While that series chronicled the grueling training and competition that brought the group together, “Wild Hearts” focuses on what happens after the cameras stop rolling — and the real work of becoming pop stars begins. Featuring never-before-seen footage, intimate interviews, backstage moments and fan-submitted videos, the documentary follows members Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung as they navigate their increasingly high-profile careers.
Rehearsals, recording sessions and the pressures of life in the spotlight all figure into the film, as does the group’s relationship with its devoted fanbase, known as Eyekons. Member Manon Bannerman’s hiatus is among the subjects addressed in the film. Sophia Laforteza is also currently taking a separate break from group activities, with a return expected in January 2027.
Directed by Nadia Hallgren, who also worked on “Pop Star Academy,” the documentary arrives at a particularly busy moment for the Hybe x Geffen group. Their third EP, “Wild,” debuted at No. 1 on the 200, and they’re currently on the road for their global Wildworld Tour. The film previously received a limited theatrical release in August.
Formed through the survival competition “The Debut: Dream Academy,” the group has successfully brought the rigorous training model of K-pop into the Western pop market, amassing a global following with songs including “Touch,” “Gnarly” and “Gabriela.” The new film comes from Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures, in partnership with HYBE x Geffen, and is positioned as both a portrait of the group’s growing success and a tribute to the fans who helped get them there.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
.jpg)
