KATSEYE, a global girl group, faced significant criticism following the release of their single "Gnarly," but chose to stand by their creative choices rather than let the backlash reshape their artistic direction. During a podcast interview, members cited artists like Lady Gaga as inspiration for embracing polarising work and prioritising bold self-expression over immediate universal appeal. The group's philosophy centres on creating music with lasting impact rather than fleeting enjoyment, viewing initial negative reactions as evidence that their work was generating genuine attention.

The gamble proved effective as "Gnarly" eventually gained acceptance among listeners, becoming a fan favourite and reaching number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100—marking the group's first chart entry. The experience reinforced a core lesson for KATSEYE: public opinion can shift rapidly, and standing firm in one's artistic vision need not be swayed by early criticism. Armed with this perspective, the group has begun incorporating more individual personalities and performance styles into their work, demonstrating a deliberate shift toward creative autonomy following their exit from Dream Academy's structured training environment.