KATSEYE have locked in their next release, but one key question continues to dominate fan discussion. As anticipation builds for the EP WILD, signs increasingly point to Manon not being part of the project.
Announced for release on August 14, the five-track EP marks the group’s first major drop of 2026, with the announcement arriving just days after their second weekend appearance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Pre-save links went live alongside a rollout strategy that quickly drew attention—not only for the music, but for its format. Fans can purchase individual versions of the EP centered on Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, Megan, or Sophia. Notably, there is no edition tied to Manon, reinforcing speculation that her hiatus will extend through this era.
Several fans have interpreted the absence as a quiet confirmation of her exit, with one comment reading, “yeah she’s not in that group anymore.” Others have shifted focus toward management, questioning the lack of a formal update. “There’s still been zero statement about Manon’s ‘hiatus.’ This is getting ridiculous,” another user wrote, echoing a broader frustration across fan spaces.
Momentum around the group itself remains strong. On April 9, KATSEYE previewed the new era with “Pinky Up,” a high-energy single that opened with 7.261 million YouTube views in its first 24 hours and debuted at No. 83 on Spotify’s Daily Global chart. Streaming quickly accelerated following their April 10 Coachella debut, where the five-member lineup delivered a 45-minute set at the Sahara Stage. Within a day, “Pinky Up” climbed to No. 13 globally and No. 10 in the U.S., marking a commercial breakthrough moment.
Questions around Manon’s involvement began even before that release cycle. She was absent from early teasers and concept images, fueling theories that intensified when she removed “KATSEYE” from her social media bio. Confirmation effectively arrived with the final product—she did not appear on the track or in its accompanying video. Days later, during an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Sophia addressed the situation, stating that Manon remains on hiatus and emphasizing the group’s support for her well-being.
Despite the uncertainty, KATSEYE’s trajectory has not slowed. Their Coachella performance drew one of the Sahara Stage’s largest crowds of the weekend. The group now moves forward as a five-member unit at a critical moment.
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