LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE Come Together for ICONIC BY MISTAKE

HYBE has brought together three of its most notable girl groups, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE, for a rare cross-group digital single, ICONIC BY MISTAKE. The release comes as the entertainment company pushes ahead with its global expansion, including its ongoing search for members of a new India-based girl group.

Released on June 12 with an official music video, the alternative pop track comes with a confident and youthful energy. The song, ICONIC BY MISTAKE, explores themes of individuality, authenticity, and self-expression while also asking the audience to embrace imperfections by saying that true influence comes from remaining genuine rather than striving for perfection.

LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE Speak on the Collab

While sharing their thoughts, the artists described the collaboration as an opportunity to celebrate their differences while growing creatively together. Speaking of the effort, LE SSERAFIM said that they hoped that the song “encourages people to embrace themselves, celebrate their individuality, and recognize the strength that comes from coming together despite our differences.” 

Whereas rookie group ILLIT highlighted that the collaboration depicted both an artistic challenge and a learning experience for them. “We've admired both groups, so being able to share a project with them felt very special,” said ILLIT in a statement. “It also allowed us to step outside our usual concepts while staying true to our own color and identity, giving us the confidence to expand our spectrum even further as artists.”

Meanwhile, KATSEYE, the senior-most group in this project, highlighted the international and collaborative spirit of the song. The group formed from Dream Academy said, “Bringing three distinct groups together, each with our own unique artistry and perspective, was incredibly inspiring. We found so much joy in learning from one another, sharing our experiences, and celebrating what makes each of us unique.”

ICONIC BY MISTAKE: Symbolism, Visual Lore & Creative Direction

The collaboration gained more significance as it was released around World Music Day 2026, which emphasized music's ability to foster cultural exchange. The accompanying music video, which is directed by Cody Critcheloe, showcases various elements like cemetery imagery, burning fields, a dental office filled with strange devices, along with bizarre, unstable imagery. As stated in an interview with Weverse’s magazine on June 17, 2026, Critcheloe said that he did not want to rely on the familiar grammar of beauty. According to him, “Mistakes, serendipity, and imperfection can become elements that make someone an icon.” 

Additionally, the production was reportedly created to represent dreamlike symbolism and a strong narrative structure, which are regarded as K-pop’s defining strengths. For instance, according to Critcheloe, “the police who appeared in the video are a broad metaphor for the entertainment industry, where evaluation and verification are unending.” According to Critcheloe, visually rich music videos stimulate repeat viewings by providing a "depth of story that allows fans to interpret and read meaning for themselves" rather than pushing for a single, definitive conclusion.

HYBE Global Strategy & Fandom Synergy

With ICONIC BY MISTAKE, HYBE is launching massive collaborative projects within its own ecosystem to cross-pollinate fandoms to create global synergy. By pairing Korean mainstays LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT with the globally formed KATSEYE, the project highlights the distinct identities of the HYBE groups while driving the company’s wider strategy for global expansion and market domination.