The cat-face look is ruling the scene. Scan today's it-girl groups and you'll almost always spot at least one member with cat-like features. That cool, slightly aloof vibe lines up with what Gen MZ fans gravitate toward in idol visuals.
What defines a "cat face"? It usually starts with the eyes. Think large, round eyes with the outer corners subtly lifted—striking enough to read fierce at a glance. That same detail can flip into a chic, refined aura: elegant, sleek, a little standoffish at first blush. And yet, plenty of cat-faced stars turn out to be endearingly ditzy offstage, which is why the type is often summed up as the "chic-but-aloof girl" who's secretly a softie.
So among today's trending K-idols, which female members embody the cat-face vibe?
First up, you can't leave out aespa's Karina, the definition of a cat-face idol. Her tiny, petite face with big eyes, sharp eye shape, and slightly upturned lips makes her the textbook example.
NewJeans' Haerin, who debuted in 2022, and All Day Project's Youngseo, who debuted this year, also nail that cool-but-alluring cat-face visual. Youngseo in particular amps it up with eye makeup that highlights her feline gaze, doubling down on her signature charm.
The cat-face lineage didn't start with fourth- or fifth-gen idols. Sohee of Wonder Girls—often called a first-wave second-gen icon—won massive love with her feline features. Her trademark chubby cheeks paired with that sharp gaze became a signature combo.
If Sohee embodied the prim-and-sassy cat-face, Red Velvet's Joy popularized the "puppy-cat" blend—doglike warmth with feline glam—for a different flavor of the look. Add to that Nine Muses' Kyungri, Girl's Day's Hyeri, and ITZY's Yeji, who each defined the cat-face archetype for their respective generations.