KATSEYE in chaos: Megan’s alleged resurfaced n-word video amid Manon’s hiatus sparks racism concerns as Harry Daniels drama leaves fans divided
Just when KATSEYE fans thought the ongoing controversy surrounding Manon Bannerman’s hiatus could not get any more intense, a resurfaced video involving member Megan Skiendiel has sent shockwaves through the fandom. The clip, which originally aired during a casual Weverse live broadcast with fellow member Yoonchae last year, has re-emerged online amid the current turmoil and is now going viral for all the wrong reasons.Fans have expressed shock and disappointment after claims emerged that Megan appeared to almost say the n word during the livestream. The timing of this resurfaced video could not be more sensitive. It comes at a moment when Megan, along with member Lara Raj, is already under intense scrutiny from fans who are demanding answers about their alleged involvement in Manon’s sudden hiatus. With emotions running high, this latest development has added another explosive layer to what is quickly becoming one of the most complicated controversies in the group’s history.Megan's alleged n-word video: stutter or slur? The now viral clip, which dates back several months, shows a moment during a live broadcast where Megan seems to trip over her words. In the short clip that has been shared widely, fans say they heard the start of a racial slur before Megan stops herself. The exact words, “All y’all nig- like to say…” have been replayed over and over on social media. Many people are calling out the idol for what they think was almost saying something offensive.But a large part of the fandom has jumped to Megan’s defense. They argue the clip has been taken out of context on purpose. Supporters who have watched the full broadcast say Megan was just stuttering while trying to say the word “need.” They point out that the viral pause happened about one minute before the rest of her sentence. They also say that in the full conversation, the way she was speaking made it clear she just stumbled over her words and did not mean to say a slur.Megan and Lara caught in the Manon dramaThe resurfaced video of Megan came at the worst possible time. She and Lara are already in the middle of a separate storm involving Manon's hiatus.Manon stepped back from group activities in February 2026. HYBE x Geffen said it was for her "health and wellbeing." Manon told fans she was fine but added a strange note: "sometimes things unfold in ways we don't fully control." That comment made fans suspicious right away.Those suspicions grew when Manon liked an Instagram post about racism and label mistreatment faced by the only Black member of a girl group. The post compared her situation to Normani from Fifth Harmony and Leigh Anne Pinnock from Little Mix.Then came anonymous online claims (allegedly from a Hybe X Geffen employee) saying Megan and Lara pushed for Manon's removal. uRmours say the pair thought Manon was less committed and complained to management about her work ethic and centre position. They allegedly argued she did not deserve to go on the LATAM tour. The person claiming to work at HYBE x Geffen said it was an "active play" to remove Manon, and that managers who never wanted her in the group used the members' complaints as an excuse.The situation got worse when influencer Harry Daniels got involved. Daniels, who used to be close with the group, went on the "Just Trish" podcast and hinted that Manon was upset about not performing. After that, Megan and Lara unfollowed him. Fans saw this as them trying to distance themselves from someone leaking private information.Daniels did not take it well. He posted personal photos and videos with Megan, tagging her public and private accounts with the caption "lets work it out on the remix." Fans saw this as revenge. Though he later removed the tag, screenshots were already everywhere. This convinced many fans that Megan and Lara had been sharing private information about Manon with influencers, making them part of the problem that led to her hiatusFan reactionsAs the Megan clip resurfaced, fans reacted in very different ways. One person wrote, "All of the fans defending her racist actions in the replies, y'all know what she meant to say." Another added, "She from Hawaii? Water found in ocean." This was a rude way of saying that growing up in a diverse place doesn't mean someone can't be racist.Other fans defended Megan. One said, "But she didn't say anything. She just said 'All y'all like to say.' She didn't even say 'Ni-' or anything. Sorry, but I think you guys are just jealous of Megan because she's beautiful."Then a fan made a different claim. "The concept of Manon saying the N word less compared to Daniela and Megan. Even Yoonchae said the N word a lot since some Korean words sound like that."These reactions show how divided the fandom has become. Some see a clear problem. Others think Megan is being attacked for no reason. And some try to make excuses by bringing up other members.How this video intensified controversyThe resurfaced Megan video is especially damaging because Manon had already hinted at facing racism in the industry. Manon, who is Ghanaian, has spoken about cultural bias before. In an interview, she pushed back against being called lazy. She explained that Swiss culture values work life balance differently than American "grind" culture. She said being called lazy "as a Black girl, is not fair."When Manon went on hiatus, she liked an Instagram post that called her "another Black girl subjected to racism and label mistreatment yet again." Fans saw this as her quiet way of saying race was part of the problem.For fans who believe this, Megan's video is not just one mistake. It is proof of a bigger issue where Manon may have felt unsafe or disrespected.The fact that this video came back during the Harry Daniels drama has made fans connect the dots between Megan's words and Manon's treatment.What's the current statusAll of these events the resurfaced video, the anonymous bullying claims, the Harry Daniels leak, and Manon's hints about racism have created a perfect storm for KATSEYE.Right now, Manon is still on hiatus with no return date. KATSEYE continues as five members preparing new music. And the fandom remains stuck in a cycle of blame, defense, and guesses, waiting for answers that may never come.
