Proven by their historic performance at the 68th Grammy Awards, KATSEYE has been in the global spotlight for their performances and releases in the past year. With their recent nomination for Best New Artist, fans have been looking forward to the next big breakthrough for the girl group.
However, on February 20, 2026, supporters of KATSEYE received shocking news. The company, HYBE x GEFFEN, issued a joint statement stating that one of the members would be on a temporary hiatus. The member, Manon Bannerman, is a Swiss-born breakout star who was often categorized as the visual for the group. The sudden announcement, especially with the momentum the group was experiencing, felt abrupt and unexpected. KATSEYE fans, also known as EYECONS, immediately began questioning the true reasoning and motivator behind the drastic decision. Despite the claim that it was to prioritize Manon’s health and wellbeing, supporters suspected alternative theories.
Was it mutual or malicious?
Health or strategy?
The largest concern shared by fans online centered around whether or not this truly was temporary. This was especially questioned due to the upcoming high-profile performances the rest of the group would be continuing to perform in. For major events like Lollapalooza and Coachella, the group was confirmed to continue as five instead of six.
In addition to the initial online speculation, Manon released her own message on Weverse stating that,
“Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture.”
The phrasing of the statement stirred EYECONS instantaneously. Curiosity fueled online theories surrounding the group’s only Black member and what it meant both creatively and structurally.
Since the announcement, there have been no follow-ups or attempts to address the current discussions and speculations that have been circulating. However, what is interesting to note, is the way KATSEYE was created in the first place.
The group was formed and built on the “Dream Academy” Netflix survival show. Although they were formed by a South Korean Company, HYBE, it was under collaboration with American label Geffen Records. The show and process utilized the K-Pop training system, resulting in large similarities to K-Pop groups. However, they are not considered to be K-Pop due to the difference in ownership and the primary language being English. Additionally, the group features a multi-national lineup, in addition to each of them being a different ethnicity.
Unfortunately, due to these factors, the narratives online have been spiraling. Seeing it as an opportunity to hyper-analyze member interactions and internal dynamics, a significant amount of racialized interpretations have been ongoing online.
Forced or burnt out?
One of the most popular theories that has been gaining traction is that the company is “market testing” a five-member lineup. Believers of this theory have pointed out the recent exclusions that have occurred with photoshoots, music videos, collaborations, and more. Supporters of Manon have even gone back to comb through potential past instances that may have alluded to her removal.
Additionally, Manon has been vocal and public about her social and political beliefs. By stating support of Palestine and the trans community, she became subject to both online scrutiny and support. In contrast, Scooter Braun, the CEO of HYBE America, has faced backlash for allegedly having a pro-Israel stance. These circumstances have been referenced to support the fear that this hiatus is instead a soft launch for an eventual permanent departure.
temporary or permanent?
In order to best predict this question, it ultimately comes down to what is most culturally common. Despite KATSEYE not being a K-Pop group, they are largely influenced by the culture and industry. If the pattern persists, this is likely a temporary hiatus as stated. Among K-Pop standards, a hiatus is a standard maintenance tool. It’s almost considered routine for mental and/or physical rest of an artist. Additionally, it is typically highly managed by corporate and a comeback is to be expected.
However, in the Western pop world, a return from a hiatus is rare. It typically signals a breakaway point and can sometimes result in a solo era and the original group being over. Although not always messy, it is more uncommon for them to be clean.
The stark contrast between these two standards is the core of the debate. The fate of KATSEYE could be subject to stories like Fifth Harmony and One Direction, or it could be a simple blip in their timeline. The two different rulebooks symbolizing two different cultures display strong arguments on either side. With large performances like Coachella approaching quickly, one thing is certain: the group is currently missing a piece, and only time will tell if the puzzle will be whole again.