In less than three years, Yoonchae Jeong, Daniela Avanzini, Manon Bannerman, Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, and Megan Skiendiel went from competing on Netflix’s Dream Academy to becoming the six members of Katseye, an international girl group created by K-pop label HYBE and Geffen Records. Even if you haven’t heard their music, you’ve probably seen them: Last August, the group’s viral ad for Gap denim was released on the heels of another jean campaign—you know the one—throwing them into the center of nationwide discourse about inclusivity and representation. In November, the young women received their first-ever Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Gabriela” and today, they’ve added yet another accomplishment to their growing list of accolades: global partners and faces of Laneige.
This is a full-circle moment for them, they say, and not only because their artistry has K-pop roots. During Dream Academy’s filming, the contestants—whose fans know them by their first names—worked with Laneige on a product placement campaign. “We were all freaking out,” Sophia says while chatting to Allure over Zoom. “That was one of our first times, as trainees, getting products from a brand.” Yoonchae, a native of Seoul, says that being able to work with the K-beauty brand was especially meaningful to her. “I’m Korean, and I use this brand a lot in real life.”
Katseye’s campaign celebrates the brand’s JuicePop Box Lip Tints, a new product that comes in eight music-inspired shades: Pop-Star Peach, Jazzy Jam, Lo-Fi Mauve, Disco Coral, Electro Berry, Red Classic, DJ Plum, and Mocha Remix. For the campaign, each member was given their own shade to wear based on the color and vibe that suited them best, says Lara, who wore DJ Plum to reflect her aspirations as a producer and songwriter. “Some were a bit more bold, some were a bit more calm and neutral,” she says. The group also wore a secret, yet-to-be-released shade that will come out in mid-February.
It’s not the first time the group has shared a beauty product. They often exchanges beauty tips and tricks with one another, like Yoonchae’s signature undereye blush or Lara’s kajal eyeliner. “We’ve all learned so much from each other, whether it’s skincare routines, how to prep your skin before makeup, or little tricks for long performance days,” Daniela says. “Being around each other every day, you naturally pick things up and start trying new things you wouldn’t have on your own.”