KATSEYE’s Lara Raj has cleared up what the group actually means when they sing “eat zucchini” in their latest single “Internet Girl,” and the explanation has sparked strong reactions from fans online. The 20-year-old singer confirmed in a recent interview that the playful lyric is actually a coded explicit phrase, not a reference to healthy eating or diet culture as many had guessed.
The confirmation came during a new interview with The Cut, where Lara was asked directly about the meaning behind the song’s most talked-about line. Her straightforward answer has since divided listeners, with some appreciating the honesty while others express concern about younger members delivering the lyric.
What ‘Eat Zucchini’ Really Means in KATSEYE’s Song
When asked about the “eat zucchini” line that repeats throughout “Internet Girl,” Lara didn’t hesitate to explain. “It means eat a d*ck,” she said matter-of-factly during the interview .
The admission confirms what many listeners had suspected but weren’t sure about. The line “Do you read me? Like the emoji?” that follows in the chorus now makes more sense, as it directly references the eggplant emoji commonly used online to represent male anatomy .
Justin Tranter, one of the song’s main writers, had previously hinted that the lyric could have multiple meanings. In a TikTok video, Tranter said, “It can mean whatever you want it to mean. I have a meaning for it, but it’s whatever ya’ll want it to mean” . But Lara’s recent comments have now nailed down the intended interpretation.
The song “Internet Girl” was released on January 2, 2026, after first being performed live during KATSEYE’s “The Beautiful Chaos Tour” in late 2025 . It debuted at number six on US Spotify with 919,000 streams and reached thirteenth globally with 2.87 million plays .
Fan Reactions Split Over Explicit Lyric Delivery
The clarification has drawn mixed reactions online, with much of the concern centering on Yoonchae, the group’s youngest member who was 17 when the song was recorded and released.
Some fans are uncomfortable with a minor singing such an explicit lyric, even if it’s delivered in a playful, coded way. The song features Yoonchae singing the “eat zucchini” line during the pre-chorus and chorus sections alongside other members .
“The issue isn’t the meaning itself, it’s that Yoonchae was a minor when this was recorded. Why would the company let her sing that?” one fan wrote on social media.
Others have defended the group, pointing out that Yoonchae is now 18 and that the lyric’s meaning wasn’t widely known until Lara’s recent confirmation. Some also note that the line is delivered with a bright, almost childish vocal delivery that masks its true meaning.
The disagreement reflects larger conversations happening in the K-pop community about age-appropriate content and how agencies manage young idols. HYBE and Geffen Records, who jointly manage KATSEYE, have not issued any statement regarding the controversy .
On Reddit’s r/popheads community, hundreds of comments have discussed both the song’s meaning and the appropriateness of the lyric. Some called the track “absolute brain rot music,” while others defended it as a commentary on internet culture rather than something meant to be taken literally .
Lara’s Recent Struggles With Online Criticism
The “zucchini” controversy comes during a period where Lara has been more openly addressing online negativity. Just weeks before this interview, the Indian-origin singer posted a firm message on Weverse calling out fans who crossed boundaries.
“hi friends. i need to say that it is comical to me how some of you think you can get away with insulting / spreading harmful misinformation about people i love and care for on MY page,” Lara wrote in early January .
She specifically addressed comments about her body during KATSEYE’s tour, saying, “And on top of that i saw so much disgusting chat about my body during tour… some ppl are so afraid of a healthy female body its hilarious… get a grip. I love my body and always will, and you should love yours too! we should celebrate each other” .
The body-shaming comments had escalated alongside rumors about her private life, including speculation about a supposed boyfriend named Orlando that circulated widely online .
Lara’s recent interview comments about the “eat zucchini” lyric have added another layer to the ongoing conversation about how fans interact with idols and interpret their work. While some appreciate her directness, others worry about the implications for the group’s younger members.
The Song’s Deeper Meaning About Internet Culture
Despite the focus on the “eat zucchini” line, “Internet Girl” tackles broader themes about life online. Lara explained the group’s vision in a previous BBC interview, saying, “We’re always getting compared to each other. Being in a girl group, people see us as women to rank, which is so bizarre to me. We even get graded sometimes on the internet” .
The song opens with the line “Haven’t you heard? I’m the internet girl,” establishing the persona of someone constantly in the public eye . It addresses online scrutiny, the pressure to maintain a certain image, and the exhausting nature of constant visibility.
A toddler vocal sample saying “I’m getting out of here” appears in the pre-chorus, sourced from the same royalty-free library Melanie Martinez used in “Fire Drill” . The sample emphasizes the desire to escape overwhelming online attention.
The song’s production by Mattman & Robin and Shawn Wasabi leans into hyperpop territory with heavy vocal processing, which itself received mixed reactions from fans. Some preferred the live version performed on tour, noting that the studio recording made individual members’ voices harder to distinguish .
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KATSEYE’s Journey Since Debut
KATSEYE formed through a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records, building the group over three years through the survival program “Dream Academy.” They debuted in 2024 and have since built a strong international following.
The six-member group includes Lara, Yoonchae, Manon, Sophia, Daniela, and Megan. They earned a Grammy nomination and continue to grow their presence in both the Korean and international music scenes.
“Internet Girl” represents a shift toward more experimental pop sounds compared to their earlier releases. While some fans have questioned the direction, the song performed well commercially and sparked significant conversation online—perhaps exactly what a song about internet culture intended to do.
As the debate continues, Lara’s honest explanation has at least accomplished one thing: listeners now know exactly what they’re singing along to when they repeat “eat zucchini” with the group.
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