Even as global superstars, the members of KATSEYE remain just as prone to “fan-girling” as the rest of us. This was perfectly captured during a recent encounter with BTS in Las Vegas, where member Yoonchae admitted that her nerves were so intense she momentarily lost the ability to speak her native language.
During a live broadcast on Weverse this past Monday (May 25), Yoonchae and her bandmate Sophia shared the surreal experience of meeting the members of BTS backstage during their AIRIRANG World Tour stop in Las Vegas. “I was so overwhelmed that I started crying,” Yoonchae recounted. “Once the tears started, my mind just went completely blank.”
“They were incredibly grounded and kind,” added Sophia, who hails from New York. “I looked over at Yoonchae, and she had gone completely silent, struggling to regain her composure. I tried to remind her that she speaks Korean, but she was just too starstruck.”
Yoonchae laughed while reflecting on the stuttering, flustered moment: “When Sophia said that, my heart just dropped. I honestly told her, ‘I’ve forgotten how to speak Korean again.’ It’s a recurring issue whenever I’m nervous!”
The two groups crossed paths in Las Vegas while both were in the city for the American Music Awards. During the ceremony, KATSEYE took home the trophy for New Artist of the Year, using their acceptance speech to honor BTS. “We want to express our gratitude to BTS tonight for showing us how to represent our heritage on a global stage,” Sophia shared on behalf of the group.
Backstage at the awards show, the two groups captured a memorable photo together. It was a big night for BTS as well, as the global icons walked away with Artist of the Year, Best Male K-Pop Artist, and Song of the Summer for their smash hit “SWIM.” Both acts also treated fans to performances; BTS showcased a pre-recorded segment of “Hooligan,” while KATSEYE delivered a high-energy rendition of their hit “Pinky Up” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Apparently, the members of BTS are well-acquainted with the track—Sophia revealed that j-hope even performed a bit of the choreography for them during their meet-and-greet.
“He’s truly the best,” Sophia gushed. “They are all so wonderful.”
Fans can look forward to the August 14 release of KATSEYE’s upcoming EP, Wild. Following their successful Vegas run, BTS is set to continue their AIRIRANG tour with highly anticipated homecoming shows in Busan, South Korea.
