Katseye release first music video without Manon ahead of Coachella

Girl group Katseye have released their first music video without Manon, after she announced she was taking a break from the group.

The group, who formed in 2023 on the reality competition series Dream Academy, uploaded the video for Pinky Up, which features only the five current members.

The colourful music video for the techno-pop single comes as the group prepare to perform at the Coachella music festival in California this weekend.

Manon Bannerman announced she would step back from the group in February, telling fans she was "healthy" and "taking care of myself".

"Sometimes things unfold in ways we don't fully control, but I'm trusting the bigger picture," the 23-year-old Swiss-Ghanian singer said at the time.

The group said the decision had been made following "open and thoughtful conversations together".

Katseye confirmed they would continue scheduled performances during Bannerman's absence and "look forward to being together again when the time is right".

However, no timeline was given for her return, and her absence from the latest music video suggests she will not join the group at Coachella.

Record label HBYE confirmed to The Korea Herald earlier this week that Bannerman "remains on hiatus."⁠

Writing on the WeVerse fandom page earlier this week, Bannerman said: "Thank you so much for all the love and support you've been sending my way.

"I'm really grateful for the patience and kindness everyone has shown during this time. [The record label] and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I'm happy and I'm healthy. I'll share more soon. Thank you for always being there for me."

But fans have asked for more transparency after also spotting that Bannerman has removed all references to Katseye from her Instagram profile, leading some to speculate that she might have left the group permanently.

Some Katseye fans, known as Eyekons, have complained on YouTube and social media about her absence from the latest music video, with some commenting: "We want Manon."

Others said that they had not expected her hiatus to lead to her not being present for the group's new music and videos, and also criticised the lack of explanation or acknowledgement for her absence in the latest video.

The new music video for the high-energy Pinky Up, racked up more than six million views on YouTube less than 24 hours after being posted.

Katseye - which also includes Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza and Yoonchae Jeung - launched their career in summer 2024 with the release of their single Debut, followed by their breakthrough hit Touch.

Since then, they have scored further chart hits such as Gabriela, Internet Girl and Gnarly, and released two EPs.

In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, the remaining members said: "Manon has been on hiatus, and we love her so much!

"We know she's doing well, and she got to talk to the fans about it. We're just really excited and rooting for all of us and each other.

"We've gotten through so much together... we all just want each other to win, be OK, and feel good. She's our sister forever, and we love her so much. We built this together, so we want to give her all the space, whatever she needs."

BBC News has asked representatives for Katseye, Bannerman and the Coachella music festival for further comment.