Three of HYBE's biggest girl groups have done something K-pop had never seen. LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE have joined forces on "Iconic By Mistake," the first song to bring three major HYBE-affiliated girl groups together on one track, and the internet noticed immediately.
The music video premiered on June 11. The digital single follows on June 12 across major streaming platforms worldwide. Before either arrived, the groups surprised fans with their first live performance of the song on Mnet'sM Countdown, which turned an already anticipated release into a full K-pop event.
How the collaboration came together
Talk of a joint project between HYBE's leading girl groups had circulated for months. The speculation ended when the collaboration was officially announced through Weverse, the company's fan platform.
This is not a quick feature or a one-off special stage. "Iconic By Mistake" is a full-scale release that involves all three groups equally, drawing artists from different corners of HYBE's global music operation into a single project. The move also fits the company's wider strategy of connecting acts across its labels while pushing toward audiences far beyond Korea.
Iconic By Mistake: release dates and where to watch
The video lives on YouTube and the single streams worldwide, which means listeners in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE get the song on the same day and the same apps as fans in Seoul.
- Music video: premiered June 11 and is now on YouTube
- Digital single: arrives June 12 on major streaming services worldwide
- Debut stage: the first live performance aired on Mnet's M Countdown ahead of the release
- Missed the broadcast? Clips from the M Countdown stage are circulating online
Who are LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE?
LE SSERAFIM is the established name here. Known for confident concepts, sharp choreography and international chart success, the group remains one of HYBE's flagship acts.
ILLIT took a faster route. The breakout rookie group built a rapidly growing global fanbase in a short period, powered by a fresh sound and viral popularity.
KATSEYE is the global experiment. Formed through HYBE's partnership with Geffen Records as an internationally focused pop group, it has drawn attention from mainstream Western audiences as well as core K-pop fans. Between them, the three acts cover different generations and styles of HYBE's female lineup, which is a big part of why this team-up matters.
Why fans are calling it a historic moment
Collaborations between major K-pop groups are rare. Three active groups from the same entertainment giant sharing one release is rarer still, because each act protects its own identity, fandom and musical direction.
The reaction proved the point. Within hours, fans flooded social media with praise for the chemistry between the groups, and the celebration spread across Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East. Industry analysts are already calling "Iconic By Mistake" one of the defining K-pop releases of 2026.
Timing did some of the work too. All three groups are entering major phases of their careers with real momentum behind recent releases, so a shared track becomes a conversation that runs wider than any single fandom.
Quick answers
When does "Iconic By Mistake" come out?
The music video premiered on June 11 on YouTube. The digital single lands on major streaming platforms worldwide on June 12.
Is this the first HYBE girl group collaboration of its kind?
Yes. It marks the first time three major HYBE-affiliated girl groups have released a song together, a first for the company and an unusual event for K-pop as a whole.
Can fans in the UAE stream it?
Yes. The single streams worldwide from June 12, and the official video plus clips from the groups' first M Countdown stage are available online.
Reporting based on coverage byDubai.News.