Iconic by Mistake

On June 12, 2026, three girl groups from the HYBE roster released a joint single that had been teased for months. Le Sserafim, Illit, and Katseye, each representing different branches of the company's global expansion, came together for "Iconic by Mistake," a track that turns criticism into fuel. The song's alternative pop production, credited to Sean Cook, McKay Stevens, and Dyvahh, incorporates what one reviewer called "irregular" sonic elements, matching the lyrical theme of embracing one's flaws and defying detractors.

The collaboration was years in the making. HYBE had previously brought together artists from its labels for projects like the 2023 song "Perfect Night" but never in a three-way cross-label single. Katseye, formed through the 2024 audition program Dream Academy, had only debuted in 2025, making this their first high-profile crossover. Illit, who debuted in 2024, and Le Sserafim, active since 2022, each brought distinct fanbases. The song's writing credits include nine contributors, among them Justin Tranter, known for hits with Selena Gomez and Dua Lipa, and Alice Longyu Gao, whose experimental pop sensibility shaped the track's off-kilter structure.

The music video, directed by Cody Critcheloe, premiered on June 10 via the HYBE LABELS YouTube channel. It opens with the groups driving a truck through a desert highway, then veers into surreal vignettes: robbing a grave, pulling teeth in a dentist's chair, and setting a cornfield ablaze after an electrical explosion. The chaotic visual language mirrors the song's message of finding power in disorder. Within three weeks, the video accumulated over 52 million views, and the audio streamed heavily on Spotify, where it was playlisted on major editorial playlists like K-Pop ON and Today's Top Hits. [edit]