Girl group Katseye have released their first music video without member Manon Bannerman, who is currently on a break.
Titled “Pinky Up”, the new track is the group’s first as a five-piece following the departure of Bannerman to “focus on her well-being”.
The song dropped on the eve of Katseye’s Coachella debut on Friday, April 10, with the group also set to take the stage on the second weekend of the festival.
Manon’s ongoing hiatus
Bannerman announced her hiatus back in February while assuring fans that 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 explained.
The group revealed that Bannerman’s decision came after “open and thoughtful conversations together”.
They stated the show would go on in the singer’s absence, with no timeline being given for a return.
Record label HBYE have since confirmed to The Korea Herald that Bannerman “remains on hiatus” and will not be appearing at Coachella.
In a recent post on WeVerse, 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.”
READ MORE: Music news: Laufey brings out star-studded cast for ‘Madwoman’ MV
“Pinky Up” reception
The new track has garnered mixed reviews from fans, with many disliking the hyper-pop sound and sexualised lyrics.
“As an OG icon, the girls deserve better lyrics than shaking azz in the parking lot … pls,” stated one comment on the video, which surpassed six million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours.
The group began teasing the song on March 30 via a cryptic video in which the Mona Lisa raises a steaming cup of tea with her little finger extended.
They followed that up with a clip of a Katseye-themed claw machine pulling a sword out of a pile of stuffed animals, revealing the release date.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: K-Pop supergroup EXO marks 14 years of enduring influence, chart dominance
Carmela Calling 
Wendellyn Mateo 
Adam Peaker