HYBE Labels have announced a collaboration between its three girl groups: LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE. Titled “ICONIC BY MISTAKE,” the single is scheduled to release 12 June 2026 at 12PM KST.

The motion teaser, posted on the HYBE LABELS official YouTube channel with the three groups marked as collaborators, presents heavy contrast. A light piano instrumental, sampled from Aria by Kimiko Ishizaka, plays over a display of feathers, but as sudden audio distortion shakes the screen the feathers fall to reveal the song title “ICONIC BY MISTAKE.” The typography reinforces it: doves alongside teeth and bones, soft symbols cut with unsettling ones.

Vitally, this announcement suggests that HYBE refuses to sacrifice the iconography and sound of any of the artists involved in forming this collaboration. LE SSERAFIM, under Source Music, and KATSEYE, under HYBE x Geffen, have frequently been presented with neon colours and a loud, catchy, pop sound – something reflected in both the distorted audio interruptions and the neon colouring of some of the symbols used. Equally, BELIFT LAB’s ILLIT is reflected by the softer feathers; the use of gravestones and bones may be representative of a similar concept used in their recent release “IT’S ME.”

The timing furthers the impact. LE SSERAFIM are mid-cycle on 'PUREFLOW pt. 1,' their second full-length, backed by a world tour. ILLIT's "IT'S ME" has been a social media constant since 'MAMIHLAPINATAPAI' dropped in April. KATSEYE, fresh from Coachella and GovBall sets, are building towards their 'WILD' EP in August. Joining three groups at a high point makes the collaboration land differently than it might have a year ago.

HYBE LABELS encompasses approximately twenty music labels, including Source Music, HYBE x Geffen and BELIFT LABS as well as Big Hit Music, PLEDIS, ADOR, and KOZ Entertainment – housing many of the biggest K-pop artists at present. This collaboration between three of their girl groups – as well as the development of new girl group-focused music label ABD – indicates a major expansion of the company into the girl group space.

In an industry which has predominantly seen chart and touring success from boy groups in recent years, particularly on an international level, a shift from one of the leading K-pop companies sets a new precedent – and “ICONIC BY MISTAKE” is set to be the flagship track for that.