The Hidden Truth Behind KATSEYE's "Gnarly" Lyrics You Never Noticed

KATSEYE's "Gnarly" lyrics have become the center of one of the most polarizing pop moments of 2025. Released on April 30, 2025, through Hybe UMG and Geffen Records, the experimental pop and hyperpop track instantly divided listeners with its "quaking 808s, gritty rave synths and a pugnacious attitude".

Initially described as "genuinely fucking atrocious" by many critics, the KATSEYE gnarly lyrics meaning shifted dramatically in public perception. In fact, within days of its release, the group transformed from "K-pop adjacent also-rans to potential agenda-setting pop stars". The song's opening line delivered by Yoonchae—"They could describe everything with one single word"—perfectly encapsulates what makes the gnarly katseye lyrics so intriguing. Composed by influential hyperpop figure Alice Longyu Gao, the track runs a surprisingly brief two minutes and eighteen seconds, yet has managed to tear "the internet asunder" with its unconventional approach.

The meaning behind the word 'Gnarly' in the lyrics

The word "gnarly" serves as the lyrical centerpiece of KATSEYE's divisive track, carrying multiple meanings that fluctuate throughout the song. Notably, the track's opening line—"They could describe everything with one single word"—establishes this duality immediately.

How the word is used in different contexts

"Gnarly" carries two distinct meanings in modern language. Primarily, it refers to something rough, twisted, or difficult—its original definition. However, the term evolved in popular slang to describe something simultaneously cool and extreme. KATSEYE member Manon confirmed this intentional ambiguity: "Gnarly can be a good thing or a bad thing in our minds. It's kind of up for interpretation".

Why Alice Longyu Gao chose 'gnarly'

As a non-native English speaker, Alice Longyu Gao was "always on the lookout to expand her vocabulary". Upon first hearing "gnarly," she was particularly "amused and surprised by the excessive usage of this word by some basic bros". Furthermore, Gao's personal experiences with "gnarly" boba tea and fried chicken directly inspired the song's creation.

Cultural interpretations of the term

Originally popularized in surf culture to describe dangerous yet thrilling waves, "gnarly" eventually permeated broader American slang. The word experienced a massive spike in popularity during the early 1980s, partly due to films like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" featuring surfer characters. Consequently, the term became embedded in action sports communities, including skateboarding and snowboarding, before entering mainstream pop culture vocabulary.

Breaking down the lyrics line by line

Delving into the gnarly lyrics reveals a track built on contradictions and provocative imagery.

Opening line: 'They could describe everything...'

Yoonchae opens the song with a spoken-word introduction that sets up the entire concept: "They could describe everything with one single word". This immediately establishes the premise that a single term can carry vastly different meanings depending on context.

Good vs. bad 'gnarly' references

Throughout the track, "gnarly" alternates between positive and negative connotations. Lara explicitly confirmed this duality: "In the first verse, there are good gnarlies and there are bad gnarlies". For instance, boba tea receives a positive "gnarly" while Tesla gets a negative one, evidenced by a faint "ew" ad-lib behind it.

Use of brand names and slang

Brand references like Tesla and Takis sparked significant controversy. Additionally, the repetitive use of phrases like "gang gang" and "I'm the shit" reflects what critics called a "shallow obsession with brands and buzzwords".

The clean vs. explicit versions

The clean version replaced profanity ("I'm legit" instead of "I'm the shit") and brand names ("robotics" instead of "Tesla"). Fans noted this version was "significantly more favorably" received than the explicit one.

How each member delivers their lines

Each member brings unique delivery to their parts. Yoonchae's opening line "is delivered perfectly and sets the tone", while Lara's aggressive verse required her to embody confidence: "I was wearing my shades and fur coat in the studio".

Why the lyrics sparked controversy

The release of "Gnarly" on April 30, 2025, triggered an avalanche of heated reactions across social media platforms. What began as a bold musical experiment quickly became a lightning rod for criticism.

Initial fan confusion and backlash

When "Gnarly" dropped, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative—with "genuinely fucking atrocious" being one of the kinder assessments. On both TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), fans responded with what one source described as "apocalyptic" criticism. Many commenters dismissed the track as an "off-brand Charli XCX" attempt, with others bluntly stating, "whoever wrote this PLEASE retire".

Criticism of language and tone

The gnarly lyrics faced harsh scrutiny for their seemingly random combinations of American slang and repetitive structure. Critics labeled them "childish," "nonsensical," and "cringe". One particularly controversial line—"Making beats for a boring dumb bitch"—left many listeners bewildered about its meaning. Fans lamented that unlike K-pop groups who "can cover up funky lyrics with Korean," KATSEYE had nowhere to hide.

The Tesla and Takis debate

Perhaps nothing sparked more controversy than the brand references scattered throughout the gnarly katseye lyrics. The Tesla mention, arriving in the first ten seconds, was deemed especially "tone-deaf" given ongoing political discourse around Elon Musk. As one fan tweeted: "them making us wait this fucking long and building up the hype... and we get a tesla lyric in the first 10 seconds...".

Hyperpop's polarizing nature

Essentially, katseye gnarly lyrics meaning wasn't meant to be immediately understood. The track's hyperpop foundation inherently courts controversy—it's "a notoriously polarizing genre". Apparently anticipating the backlash, KATSEYE shared a TikTok before release quoting Nicki Minaj: "You're not gonna get this on the first time you hear it. After a second and third time, you can be like, whoa, what is this?".

How fan perception changed over time

Just as KATSEYE predicted, the initial horror over the gnarly lyrics gradually transformed into unexpected admiration. Their self-awareness proved remarkably prophetic.

TikTok reactions and memes

Following their strategic TikTok video quoting Nicki Minaj's "You're not gonna get this on the first time", the internet's opinion began shifting. The infectious chorus with hooks like "I'm the shit" and "Na-na-na-na-na gnarly" stuck with both dedicated fans (EYEKONS) and casual listeners. Within weeks, fans embraced the song, casually describing everything from fried chicken to Hollywood Hills parties as "gnarly".

Live performances that changed minds

The perception pivoted dramatically after KATSEYE's performance on Mnet's "M Countdown". Their fierce stage presence, crisp choreography, and aesthetic visuals convinced skeptics overnight. Fans who had dismissed the track found themselves watching performances repeatedly. Member Lara explained to The Fader: "There's so much stimulation that comes from the song and it's really about being young women growing up on the internet".

Celebrity endorsements and viral moments

The celebrity floodgates opened afterward. Renée Rapp, Camila Mendes, Addison Rae, Playboi Carti, and numerous K-pop idols publicly endorsed the track. Remarkably, even the Empire State Building lit itself green to celebrate the release.

What this shift says about modern pop culture

This transformation illustrates how performance often trumps lyrics in contemporary pop. Though Korean audiences embraced "Gnarly" immediately, international listeners needed visual context. KATSEYE member Manon summarized perfectly: "If you get it, you get it, and if you don't get it, kindly, get the f—k away from us".