Katseye’s new track Gnarly is dark, weird, unconventional, and meant to spark conversation and controversy. The music video opens with a strange line:
“They could describe everything with one single word: Gnarly.”
The first scene is a striking image (Yoonchae’s face is wrapped in plastic like a supermarket product or a piece of meat) that might represent how idols are metaphorically packaged, labeled and consumed by the public.
You might feel surprised and unsure of how to feel about the song. It messes with your head – and your heart. This edgy, chaotic style is the total opposite of what we know about Sophia. But maybe that’s the point.
Sophia — known for her eloquence, emotional depth, goofy yet classy vibe, and musical theater roots — isn’t exactly the kind of artist you’d expect on a track like Gnarly. It’s dark, messy, and way outside her comfort zone, packed with heavy beats, sharp sarcasm, unapologetic lyrics, and an in-your-face attitude. On the surface, it’s wild fun. But underneath, there’s something deeper, especially when you look at it through Sophia’s lens.
🥩 The “Food/Meat” Symbolism
Let’s talk about the food. Throughout the video, visuals of food — wrapped, cut, displayed — keep showing up. At first, it seems random. But when you think about it, it sends a powerful message.
What if the food represents how celebrities are treated? In today’s world, they’re consumed like content—judged, picked apart, and quickly forgotten. Every move, every word, every part of their body is scrutinized. Then the world moves on, as if they were never real people to begin with—just something for the public to chew on.
But KATSEYE’s message is clear: artists are more than what we see on screen. They’re human. And too often, the world forgets that.
☯️ Dual Meaning Behind Gnarly
That’s where the title Gnarly gets even deeper. The word has two meanings: it can mean something is cool or awesome, but it can also mean something is twisted, messy, or even ugly. This song embraces both sides of that word—just like being famous has both sides: the glamor and the pain.
It reflects how people often view celebrities like Katseye: with love and hate, praise and judgment, admiration and repulsion. The song is almost like a mirror held up to the audience, saying: “No matter what we do, there will always be someone who disapproves.”
When Megan raps this line in the song:
“Oh, my God, is this real? (Everything’s gnarly)”
it’s not just about being surprised. It’s like she’s confused and overwhelmed. If people always have different opinions—some approve of you, some don’t—how are you supposed to know where you stand? That moment shows what it’s like to be stuck in the middle of all that noise and judgment.
💔 The Line Between Love and Hate
Here’s an interesting part of the song:
“Making beats for a boring, d*mb b**ch…”
This line delivers a sharp emotional punch about the pain of being consistently undervalued. It reflects the experience of pouring creative energy into something, only to have it dismissed or trivialized by others. It speaks to anyone who fails to recognize the value behind the work. The phrase “f**king gnarly” punctuates that tension. It encapsulates the resentment that builds when others refuse to take your artistry seriously.
“Jealous of my mansion?”
“Yeah, the view is f**king gnarly.”
It sounds like a flex—but it also feels sarcastic. Like they’re mocking the surface-level judgment celebrities receive. Everyone wants the mansion, the fame, the spotlight—but they don’t know what it really costs. It’s glamorous on the outside but may come with pressure, sacrifice, and emotional toll underneath.
Sophia knows this all too well. Like Lara and Manon, Sophia has been at the center of both admiration and unfair criticism. But she continues to move with grace, humility, and professionalism.
Another notable symbol is the photocopy machine, highlighted by the repeated emphasis of this line in the song:
“Obvi, obvi, they be tryna copy“
This imagery symbolizes how imitation often stems from admiration twisted by envy. The act of copying reflects how some people project hate toward what they secretly desire or admire. In this context, envy becomes a distorted form of love — a defense mechanism to mask longing or insecurity
The line between love and hate is thin — but so is the line between admiration and obsession.
In one eerie scene, the runway isn’t just a catwalk — it becomes a long dining table. The girls aren’t just walking — they’re being served. People sit, watching the girls like menu items, slicing their sandwiches as if devouring performances, identities and even their souls.
Around them, male photographers with massive, bulging eyes — exaggerated, cartoonish, almost grotesque — snap photos in a frenzy like predators.
They aren’t just documenting; they’re feeding off the girls’ images. Obsession masquerades as admiration, but it distorts — turning real human beings into objects of perfection, consumption, and disposal.
Fame is fickle. One day, the public is obsessed — eyes wide, unblinking, devouring every move. The next, they’re chewing you up and spitting you out like yesterday’s sandwich.
But the final image is powerful: Katseye holding the knife and slicing that sandwich, not to be served, but to reclaim control. They refuse to be meat on the platter. They reject the role of being endlessly consumed, chewed over, and discarded by a public that only values them for spectacle, not for their artistry. It’s a quiet rebellion — a refusal to become just a consumable product. They are reclaiming their artistry and humanity, drawing the line between being seen and being consumed.
👣 Sophia – Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone
For Sophia, this track marks a moment of transformation. She’s known for her grace and poise — so this chaotic style isn’t her usual. And that’s exactly the point. Though some fans might not associate this edgy sound with Sophia’s signature style, she still has proven just how versatile she is. She stepped out of her comfort zone, embraced the chaos, and showed us another side of herself — proving that she can take whatever concept is thrown her way and make it her own. Gnarly might be messy, chaotic, and rebellious but in that chaos, there is something beautiful that lies beneath the ruins.
Because sometimes, to create something truly special, we have to let go of the rules. We have to forget expectations, wipe the canvas clean, and just… let go of the fear. It can get messy at first but we just need to trust the process.
This may not be the song that shows the full range of her voice and potential, but that doesn’t mean she’s fading into the background. Instead, she’s learning to let go – to lose control and embrace her artistry.
Great art isn’t always polished. Sometimes you need to break the rules to find who you truly are.
❤️ More Than Just a Performer — She’s Only Human
It’s no secret that Sophia Laforteza has faced a lot of criticism since joining KATSEYE. She’s one of the most talked-about members – both positively and negatively. She’s often been the target of unfair online hate.
But let’s remember: Sophia is only 22 years old, navigating real life in a high-pressure spotlight. She’s still figuring things out—like any young woman. And she’s doing it in front of the world. The amount of pressure that puts on someone is massive. And yet, she shows up, delivers, and stays grounded.
She’s not perfect — and she doesn’t need to be.
Even in a track where the spotlight shifts constantly, Sophia manages to make a lasting impression. That’s not just talent—that’s grace under pressure.
As eyekons (as fans and as people), we should let Sophia and her fellow members Lara and Manon, who also receive the most hate online—just be. Let them live a little, make mistakes, grow, and evolve like anyone else. These young women are already carrying a lot on their shoulders.
Despite the hate, the pressure, and the noise, she has proven that she’s not afraid to take risks. To be messy. To let go of the perfect image and just be an artist and create. Maybe Gnarly isn’t about being perfect. Maybe it’s about being real in a world that judges every move. And that’s something Sophia is mastering beautifully.
🖼️ The Bigger Picture
Gnarly isn’t just a song. It’s a statement. It’s designed to spark conversation and controversy, like the viral “black and blue or white and gold dress” photo that split the internet. People are supposed to argue about it. Debate its meaning. That’s what makes it powerful.
The ups and downs, the drama, the messy story—that’s what hooks people into loving a brand. It’s not just about being perfect. It’s about being real.
What’s Next for Sophia?
While Gnarly may not be her spotlight moment, it could be the beginning of something big — and we believe that moment is coming. A track that highlights her soul, sensitivity, and depth — the kind of song that puts her on the map as an artist, not just an idol.
We believe in her. We’re cheering for her. And we can’t wait to see what masterpiece she creates next.
We hope to see her shine in a song that reflects her sentimental side, her artistry, and her passion for storytelling. A song where she isn’t just part of the pre-chorus—but the heart of the message.
Because Sophia Laforteza has something special. And Gnarly is just the beginning. It’s chaotic, loud, sarcastic—and unapologetic. Just like the journey of a young artist growing into her power.