KATSEYE have spent nearly three years moving from “Dream Academy” hopefuls to a globally recognized girl group. Their story now includes major chart success, international performances and two temporary member hiatuses. Manon and Sophia are currently away from group activities, while Lara, Megan, Daniela and Yoonchae continue performing and Sophia is scheduled to return in January 2027.

KATSEYE were officially formed on November 17, 2023, through “The Debut: Dream Academy,” the international HYBE x Geffen project created to build a new global girl group. From tens of thousands of initial applicants, 20 contestants were selected for the televised competition before the final six-member lineup was chosen through a combination of public voting and company decisions.

That final lineup introduced Sophia Laforteza, Manon Bannerman, Lara Raj, Yoonchae Jeong, Megan Skiendiel and Daniela Avanzini. The six members came from different countries and family backgrounds, which was central to the group’s international identity from the beginning. Their training and selection process was later revisited in the Netflix documentary series “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE.”

The group moved quickly from competition to official music releases. Their first single, “Debut,” arrived in June 2024, followed two months later by their first EP, “SIS (Soft Is Strong).” That period marked the point where the project stopped being primarily about the formation process and started building its own audience around music, performances and a distinct group identity.

Songs including “Gnarly” and “Gabriela” helped increase their visibility in different markets, while touring and promotional work expanded their schedule. Despite the growing attention, the official lineup remained unchanged through this period. The first major shift came in February 2026, when Manon temporarily stepped away from group activities.

On February 20, HYBE x Geffen announced that Manon would take a temporary hiatus so she could focus on her health and well-being. The company said the decision followed discussions with her and emphasized its support. No specific return date was announced, and the statement did not describe the break as a permanent departure from KATSEYE.

The timing came shortly after the group’s appearance at the Grammys, where they had been nominated for Best New Artist. KATSEYE continued with their planned activities without Manon, while her official status as a member remained unchanged.

Manon did make a separate television appearance during the hiatus. On May 14, she appeared as a guest judge on the 21st season of “Germany’s Next Topmodel” alongside Heidi Klum. The appearance showed that she remained publicly active, but it was not presented as a return to KATSEYE rehearsals, concerts or group promotions.

By then, the group had already continued with other major commitments, including Coachella and activities connected to the “Wild” EP. Manon’s television appearance did not alter the terms of the hiatus announced in February.

Public discussion around her absence intensified over the following months. In a June 25 interview with “Allure,” Sophia asked fans not to speculate about Manon’s situation. She said the decision was about her well-being and stressed that no one should pressure her to return before she felt ready.

A few days later, on June 30, the members addressed further online speculation in an interview with “Vanity Fair.” Sophia said Manon’s hiatus was not related to her race, while Lara described the six members as maintaining a supportive environment within the group. Those comments rejected rumors of internal conflict but did not introduce a new official reason for Manon’s absence.

A second major change came in August. At the August 4 premiere of “Wild Hearts,” only Lara, Megan, Daniela and Yoonchae appeared. Manon was still on hiatus, and Sophia was also absent from the event.

Three days later, Sophia publicly announced that she too would temporarily step away from KATSEYE activities. In an Instagram statement, she said the decision had been difficult but that she needed time to care for both her mental and physical health. She framed the break as necessary rest that would allow her to continue the work she loves over the long term.

HYBE confirmed the hiatus and said Sophia was receiving support. The company added that, following discussions with health professionals, extended rest and care had been recommended. At that point, two of the six official members were on temporary hiatus at the same time.

Sophia’s absence continued into the European and U.K. leg of “THE WILDWORLD TOUR.” On August 30, HYBE confirmed that she would not participate in the dates scheduled from September 1 through September 17, again emphasizing that she was focusing on her well-being.

There was also a separate short-term issue involving Megan, who injured her ankle around the same period. The injury affected KATSEYE’s planned appearance at Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival, but it was not described as another long-term hiatus and should not be grouped together with the official breaks taken by Manon and Sophia.

The clearest update arrived on October 8. HYBE announced that Sophia was expected to return to group activities in January 2027, giving fans the first concrete timeline connected to either of the two temporary hiatuses.

The company said she had received support during her time away and looked forward to welcoming her back for the group’s next chapter. The expected return is planned for the first week of January 2027.

That announcement applies only to Sophia. Manon’s hiatus remains open-ended, with no equivalent return date announced. The two situations therefore remain separate, even though both members are currently away from group activities.

On October 18, Lara, Megan, Yoonchae and Daniela represented KATSEYE at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2026 in Los Angeles. The four members performed “Pinky Up” and “Animal,” continuing the group’s presence at major events while Manon and Sophia remained absent under the previously announced arrangements.

During the event, Lara also spoke about Sophia’s planned return. She said the members were happy about the news, respected Sophia’s decision to take time for her health and described her as their sister. Her comments followed the official HYBE update rather than introducing a new timeline.

The current situation is therefore straightforward despite the visible changes onstage. KATSEYE still officially consists of six members: Sophia, Manon, Lara, Yoonchae, Megan and Daniela. No permanent departure has been announced for either of the two members on hiatus.

For now, four members are handling the group’s scheduled public appearances while Sophia prepares for a planned January return. Manon remains part of the official lineup, but there is no confirmed date for when she may resume activities.

The timeline shows how quickly KATSEYE have changed since their formation in 2023. In less than three years, they moved from an international selection program to major releases, festival appearances, chart success and large-scale live events, while also navigating the practical reality of two members needing extended time away.

The next confirmed change comes in January 2027, when Sophia is expected to rejoin the group. Until then, Lara, Megan, Daniela and Yoonchae continue the current schedule, while Manon’s return remains undated and the six-member lineup officially stays intact.