What Is “Gnarly” by Katseye About? Is It Satire?

Download Article

Plus, how fans reacted to the polarizing song

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: November 27, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Lyric Analysis

|

Is “Gnarly” satirical?

|

Fan Reactions

|

Song Versions

|

Release & Background Info

|

Other Song Analyses

|

Video

At the release of their new single “Gnarly,” K-pop group Katseye warned fans that they might be in for a shock. The song is extremely different from the group’s previous work, with absurd lyrics that left fans wondering if it was satirical or not. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the song’s lyrics and meaning, as well as fans’ mixed reactions. Keep reading to learn all about this gnarly song!

What does the Katseye song “Gnarly” mean?

“Gnarly” by Katseye is a satirical song that takes a jab at the entertainment industry by exploring popular buzzwords. “Gnarly” is a word that has both positive and negative meanings depending on context, and the group uses it in both ways throughout the absurd song.

Section 1 of 6:

“Gnarly” by Katseye Lyric Analysis

Download Article

1
The song is about the different interpretations of the word “gnarly.” “Gnarly” opens with the spoken intro, “They could describe everything with one single word, you know?” The group then goes on to list different things that could be considered “gnarly,” including boba tea, Tesla, fried chicken, and partying in the Hollywood Hills. These things could all be good or bad depending on how you interpret the use of the word “gnarly.”^{[1]
X
Research source}
- In the catchy prechorus, the group repeatedly sings the word “gnarly” and the phrase “everything’s gnarly,” further showing how this word can be used for almost anything.
- In an interview with The Fader, Katseye member Manon said, “Gnarly can be a good thing or a bad thing in our minds. It’s kind of up for interpretation.”^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Member Lara added, “I think it’s good to know in the song, especially in the first verse, there are good gnarlies and there are bad gnarlies. They’re just like, yeah, whatever you interpret it as.”^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
2
It also includes different meanings for the word “gang.” In the second verse, Lara and Manon sing, “Oh, we’re in a session tonight, gang, gang / Oh, we’re going out tonight, gang gang / Oh my god, this song’s so lit, congratulations / Now you be like, ‘Gang’ / Gang, gang, gang, gang, gang.” Like “gnarly,” the word “gang” can have positive or negative connotations depending on the context. The group is trying to show listeners how easily our attention can get caught by repeated words over a good beat.
- This verse also ironically criticizes the song’s lyrics for being repetitive and not having a “deep” meaning.
Advertisement
In the chorus, Manon and Megan sing, “Hottie hottie, like a bag of Takis / I’m the sh*t, I’m the sh*t (Gnarly) / Obvi, obvi they be tryna copy / I’m the sh*t, I’m the sh*t.” Takis are rolled tortilla chips known for being spicy and flavorful, so by comparing themselves to this snack, the singers are showing off their confidence. They know they’re cool, so they’re not surprised that other people try to copy them.
4
The song also takes a jab at consumerism. In the third verse, Lara and Yoonchae sing, “Making beats for a boring, dumb b*tch / F*cking gnarly / Don’t talk to me / You’re gnarly, I’m not (Sh*t is gnarly) / Je-je-jealous of my mansion? Yeah, the view is f*cking gnarly.” Here, they’re likely criticizing the music companies that use musicians’ art to make money. They may also be taking a jab at haters who don’t like their music by implying those people have boring tastes.
- We also continue to see the different meanings of the word “gnarly” in this verse. The line “you’re gnarly” is calling someone gnarly in a bad way, while the mansion’s view is gnarly in a good way.

Section 2 of 6:

Is “Gnarly” satirical?

Download Article

Most fans interpret “Gnarly” as satire. While the song is up for interpretation, most people who’ve listened to “Gnarly” agree that it’s ironic and satirical. The song intentionally uses absurd, repetitive, and somewhat cringey lyrics and visuals to mock pop culture’s use of buzzwords. Many see it as a form of meta-commentary on the entertainment industry, as it uses the word “gnarly” as a placeholder with several contradictory meanings.
- Some argue that the song is not satirical because the group Katseye was formed from a reality TV show that is funded by one of the largest global record labels, and therefore the things they are supposedly satirizing could also be said about them.

Section 3 of 6:

“Gnarly” Fan Reactions

Download Article

Katseye fans have had mixed reactions to the song. Some listeners aren’t a fan of the song’s absurd, oversimplistic lyrics and use of curse words, and have criticized the mention of the controversial Tesla brand. However, those who do enjoy the song appreciate it for its satirical and catchy lyrics. Regardless of their opinion, many fans agree that they can’t get the song out of their head and that the lyrics have become their new “vocal stims.”^{[4]
X
Research source}
- TikTok creator Marc Sebastian posted a video about the song, saying, “God forbid we have a little fun with music these days. It’s not even giving ‘if you get it, you get it.’ For me, it’s giving ‘if you don’t get it, I don’t care.’”
- Celebrities like Renee Rapp, Sofia Wylie, Camila Mendes, and K-pop idols from TXT and BOYNEXTDOOR have also shown their support for the song.
- Many fans who initially disliked the song came around after they continued listening to it. In this TikTok, user @feyipoo dances to the song with the caption “Me 3 days after saying gnarly is the worst song I’ve ever heard.”

Section 4 of 6:

Why are there two versions of the song?

Download Article

Katseye released an explicit and clean version of the song. Musicians often release a clean version of songs with explicit language so they can be played on the radio and be enjoyed by a broader audience. “Gnarly” and other K-pop songs also remove brand names in the clean versions. This is because Korean music shows, like Show! Music Core and Music Bank, have rules around product advertising.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For example, the clean version of “Gnarly” replaces “Tesla” with “robotics” and “I’m the sh*t” with “I’m legit.”
- A lot of fans seem to prefer the clean version, but of course, this is up to personal preference.

Section 5 of 6:

“Gnarly” Release & Background Info

Download Article

1
“Gnarly” was released on April 30, 2025. It was the lead single for Katseye’s second extended play, Beautiful Chaos (2025). Though it initially received a polarizing response from fans, it earned the group their first entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- “Gnarly” was first announced on April 23, and a teaser was released on April 29.
- The accompanying music video, directed by Cody Critcheloe, was also released on April 30.
- Ever wondered which Katseye member you’re most like? Take our Katseye quiz to find out!
2
Gnarly was written by Alice Longyu Gao. Alice Longyu Gao performed an early demo of “Gnarly” that Andrew Taggart (member of The Chainsmokers) posted on TikTok in April 2023. Gao stated that her inspiration came from her “gnarly” experiences with boba tea, fried chicken, and other interests. As a non-native English speaker, Gao said she was “always on the lookout to expand her vocabulary” and was “amused and surprised by the excessive usage of this word by some basic bros.”^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Tim Randolph, Kyle Buckley, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, and Madison Love also co-wrote the song.
- “Gnarly” was produced by Buckley, “Hitman” Bang, and Slow Rabbit.