“Gnarly” is a hyper-pop track characterized by bold, unique sounds, with added dance and punk elements. The six-member group’s fearless vocals and direct lyrics amplify KATSEYE‘s intense energy. With “Gnarly,” KATSEYE not only showcases their distinct colors and charm but also amplifies their aura as artists with even more clarity.
Song Credits
- Artist: KATSEYE
- Released: April 30, 2025
- Length: 2:22
- Label: HYBE UMG, LLC
- Writer: Tim Randolph, Kyle Buckley, Alice Longyu Gao, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Madison Love
- Producer: Pink Slip, Tim Randolph, “hitman” bang, Slow Rabbit
KATSEYE “Gnarly” Official MV
KATSEYE “Gnarly” Lyrics
They could describe everything with one single word
You know, like
Boba tea (Gnarly)
Tesla (Gnarly)
Fried chicken (Gnarly)
Partyin' in the Hollywood Hills (Ugh)
This song (Gnarly)
Oh, my God, that new beat (Gnarly, fucking gnarly)
Oh, my God, is this real? (Everything's gnarly)
Oh, we're in a session tonight, gang, gang
Oh, we're going out tonight, gang, gang
Oh, my God, this song is so lit, congratulations
Now you be like, "Gang"
Gang, gang, gang, gang, gang (Haha)
Gnarly
Gnarly
Everything's gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Everything's gnarly
Hottie, hottie, like a bag of Takis
I'm the shit, I'm the shit (Gnarly)
Obvi, obvi, they be tryna copy
I'm the shit, I'm the shit
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
I'm the shit, I'm the shit
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
I'm the shit, I'm the shit
Gnarly
Making beats for a boring, dumb bitch
Fucking gnarly (Gnarly)
Don't talk to me, you're gnarly
I'm not, shit is (Gnarly)
Je-je-jealous of my mansion?
Yeah, the view is fucking gnarly (Gnarly)
Gnarly
Everything's gnarly
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly-gnarly-gnarly)
Everything's gnarly
Hottie, hottie, like a bag of Takis
I'm the shit, I'm the shit (Gnarly)
Obvi, obvi, they be tryna copy
I'm the shit, I'm the shit (Shit)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
I'm the shit, I'm the shit
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly (Gnarly)
Na-na-na-na-na-gnarly
I'm the shit, I'm the shit
Everything's gnarly
KATSEYE “Gnarly” Meaning
“Gnarly,” is a brash, bold evolution that captures the group’s fearless attitude and their unapologetic embrace of the absurd. With lyrics that shout out “boba tea,” “Tesla,” and “fried chicken,” the song feels like a stream-of-consciousness scroll through Gen Z’s digital mind. The randomness of it all isn’t just for shock value it’s part of KATSEYE’s charm. The repetition of “gnarly” turns the word into a mantra, a catch-all for anything wild, cool, or out of pocket. It’s a song about owning the room, not delivering a message.
The track opens with Yoonchae introducing the concept of the word “gnarly,” which she describes as a word that can mean both “distasteful” and “excellent,” setting the tone for the hyperactive, surreal music video that matches the song’s bonkers energy.
What truly sets “Gnarly” apart is KATSEYE’s unshakable confidence. The chorus, with lines like “Hottie, hottie, like a bag of Takis / I’m the shit,” perfectly encapsulates the group’s brash persona—loud, unapologetic, and self-assured. This track is designed to make listeners feel unstoppable, capturing that energy through its bold, brash approach. Beneath the glitter and chaos, “Gnarly” also hints at the group’s journey navigating fame and scrutiny, with lines like “Je-je-jealous of my mansion?” suggesting an awareness of public perception, but flipping it into swagger and defiance. It’s not about proving themselves it’s about owning their space with effortless cool.
However, the song has stirred up some controversy recently. This has sparked debates about the sexualization of young idols in the K-pop industry. Pink Slip, one of the producers behind KATSEYE’s song “Gnarly,” confirmed that they intentionally inserted moaning sound effects resembling those made during sexual intercourse. The shocking revelation came during a now-viral video in which Pink Slip, when asked why the sound was added, bluntly responded, “How could it be a hit without that sound?”
The controversy has intensified, particularly in South Korea, where netizens are expressing outrage over the sexualization of a rookie girl group that includes a minor — Yoonchae, born in 2007. Many fans and critics alike argue that inserting such a sound effect into a song performed by underage idols is a clear act of intentional sexualization.
Even more disturbing to many is the fact that KATSEYE performed “Gnarly” at the Kids’ Choice Awards, an event widely known for celebrating content and artists popular among children. The inappropriate nature of the sound effect has been labeled by Korean netizens as “unforgivable,” with many calling for the song’s removal and a formal apology from HYBE.
To make matters worse, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk is listed as both a composer and the final producer of the track. Industry experts note that the final version of any song cannot be released without the approval of the lead producer, raising questions about how such a controversial sound made it through production oversight.
Additionally, “Gnarly” has faced accusations of plagiarism. Critics point out similarities between its music video and those of BLACKPINK’s “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and aespa’s “Drama,” suggesting that KATSEYE may have drawn inspiration from these groups’ concepts and aesthetics.
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