Evil Editing? KATSEYE’s Manon Responds To Netflix Docuseries Controversy With Raw Honesty
On August 21, Netflix premiered the anticipated docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. It follows the formation of the K-Pop-trained HYBE and Geffen Records international girl group KATSEYE, formed through the talent competition reality show The Debut: Dream Academy.
Yet, the docuseries was met with mixed reactions, especially after Manon was introduced. Many fans jumped to her defense, claiming she was mistreated.
it’s not in this clip but when missy said let her speak it felt so micro aggressive im sorry like manon was literally trying to defend herself https://t.co/QERtOrMLHW
— ki ᓚᘏᗢ⁶ (@manonful) August 21, 2024
Ohmygod I know their little gc without manon was not quiet for even a second when those mission 1 rankings dropped bc this is insane??? I’m trying to understand how their frustration is her doing when it’s literally their doing for isolating her from the very…. #popstaracademy pic.twitter.com/He7UjrLDbw
— blue (@jkmanons) August 21, 2024
manon skipped practices when she was sick because she said she thought it would be similar to a school, a place where you are expected to stay home when you’re sick. it’s obvious she wasn’t lazy, she just wasn’t fully aware of the unwritten rules of being a trainee yet
— land saw nmixx!!! (@A2KATSEYE) August 22, 2024
In the show, Manon was portrayed as undedicated compared to other members. She would stay home, skip practices, etc.
okay i figured it out- but yea im glad the girls were able to move past this but tbh… it just seems like a lot of the girls wanted to deny that she was trying and her efforts were always ignored😭 #popstaracademy https://t.co/CSUJYgZGaV pic.twitter.com/FcBm4o8qUJ
— miumiu (@newjeattention) August 21, 2024
just finished watching the katseye documentary on netflix and it’s actually wild that manon got in when her work ethic is lackluster like just being pretty will really get you far
— loverboy🏹 (@cravethefeeIin) October 29, 2024
Netizens were disturbed by the docuseries, feeling that it was setting up KATSEYE for sabotage, as it didn’t paint the members positively. Many members received hate since its premiere, and fans were concerned the docuseries was creating solo stans more than anything.
@nugusended it literally made some of the members seem mean when it was unnecessary, like we understood the situation with manon well enough. This will literally start fandom wars and pit the girls against eachother and will be a controversy they’ll never overcome. #fyp #katseye #hybexgeffen #hybe #bts #kpop #manon #sophia #lara #yoonchae #megan #daniela #girlgroup #netflix
watching the pop star academy documentary and its lowkey crazy how ive seen more people hating on the katseye members and no one also pointing out how lowkey fucked up the format of this project was like lexie and karlee said 😭
— aya 🌻 (@heartofdiamcnd) August 22, 2024
Now, KATSEYE are celebrating their 1st anniversary since debuting.
1 Year Reunion with KATSEYE is out now 🤍
watch it now on YouTube: https://t.co/Q2ZLRHsTVV#KATSEYE #1YEARKATSEYEREUNION pic.twitter.com/A9ZOZPNiSC
— KATSEYE (@katseyeworld) November 26, 2024
The group released a special reunion live broadcast via YouTube to commemorate, featuring former contestants and more. Unfortunately, the members had to revisit moments from the past, which were highlighted in the documentary.
I remember watching it and pausing it and just yelling, being like, ‘No, no, no.’ ‘Cause it was so bad. It was so bad, but you know, we’re here now.
— Manon
Early into the reunion, Missy Paramo asked Manon, “The docuseries highlighted your star quality, but a couple of the girls and people on the management team questioned how committed you were. What did you learn from that experience, and how have you changed since then?” Manon didn’t hold back in her response, stating, “Sorry, this is so dramatic for no reason.”
Manon revealed that she was horrified watching the documentary and seeing how she was portrayed. She explained that she had gone into the competition without knowing anything about it, such as trainee programs, dancing, K-Pop, etc.
That was like a big subject on the documentary, which I found very unfortunate and I freaked out watching it. But I think it’s also important because truth is I walked into this program with no knowledge. I’ve never heard about K-Pop before, never been in a competition, never danced before. I just did not have that discipline and I didn’t really, I think, know how things were working and it took me a while to get it.
— Manon
Still, Manon proved herself. Otherwise, as she reminded everyone, if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t be a member of KATSEYE.
But with that being said, I fully locked in. And I think I’ve grown a lot since and I think if things were still like that, I would not be in this group by now. Do you know what I mean?
— Manon
I love the way Manon talks and thinks she acknowledges what she is missing and acts on it, I think no one understood even during the program that Manon was new to ALL THIS. Also “a couple of people in the managment team” girl that was you #KATSEYE pic.twitter.com/LdqRwVSl6q
— essy ✶𝜗𝜚 katseye (@rmbpink) November 26, 2024
Fans were disappointed that the staff and Missy chose to bring up the past during the live broadcast, making the girls revist situations they have already moved past and grown from.
reunion and showed 3 people and it was under an hour long like wtf
— ☁️| BAILEY IS SEEING KIOF (@zb1city) November 26, 2024
Still, many fans praised Manon for how she handled the uncomfortable situation. She appropriately responded, saying all the right things!
“If things were still like that I wouldn’t still be in this group by now” YOU TELL EM MANON 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/a2CUJMIkft
— M 🧚🏽 (@manonloops) November 26, 2024
manon said all the right things. pic.twitter.com/GAiUhn31vn
— hanna (@K4TS3YE) November 26, 2024
manon saying they edited the documentary to make the “drama” between her, lara, and sophia seem more dramatic than it was and that it was NEVER that serious oh iktr!
— em (@katseyegirls) November 26, 2024
Previously, the group addressed the controversial docuseries. Read more below.
