Members of Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's newest girl group, pose during a press event to celebrate the group's debut at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap
SM Entertainment doesn't launch girl groups often, but when it does, the entire industry takes full notice. On Monday, the K-pop powerhouse introduced Hearts2Hearts, its first girl group in four and a half years since aespa — and its largest since Girls' Generation burst onto the K-pop scene nearly two decades ago.
The eight-member act — Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on — held a media showcase, Monday, hours prior to its official debut at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District. While a technical glitch briefly disrupted the event, as stage equipment malfunctioned with a loud bang, the moment did little to shake the group's confidence.
"I'm already thrilled to debut as Hearts2Hearts, but doing so in SM's 30th anniversary year makes it even more meaningful," Ian said. "Just as our senior artists and staff have supported us, we'll work hard to become the future of SM."
Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts performs its debut single, "The Chase," during a media showcase at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap
The group brings an international edge, with Indonesia-born Carmen and Korean Canadian Stella among its members. Carmen, speaking in fluent Korean, recalled how she went from watching K-pop idols on TV to standing on the stage herself.
"I've loved singing since I was a kid. When I saw Girls' Generation perform 'The Boys,' I thought they were so cool and wanted to be like them ... That's why I auditioned, and now I'm here," Carmen said.
"My family and friends are celebrating with me. My older sister, who's a huge K-pop fan, is even more excited about my debut than I am."
Hearts2Heart comprises eight members, Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on. The members' ages range from 14 to 18. Yonhap
For its first release, the group is rolling out a two-track album, "The Chase," featuring the title song of the same name and a melodic, harmony-driven B-side, "Butterflies." Both songs, revealed for the first time at the event, was a direct reflect SM's signature genre-blending style.
The members described "The Chase" as "a fun, confidence-boosting song," inspired by the Lewis Carroll classic "Alice in Wonderland," encapsulating a "dreamy, mysterious vibe that's hard to explain."
Their choreography also leans into the strength of a large-member group.
"As an eight-member team, our strength is our dynamic, synchronized performances," Juun said. "The highlights include flower shape formations and a strong, single-file walk down the stage."
Hearts2Hearts debuted Monday with an album titled "The Chase" featuring two songs, the eponymous lead single and "Butterflies." Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Even before its debut, the group has already generated buzz thanks to A-na, who gained attention as an emcee on KBS' "Music Bank," one of Korea's biggest music shows.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity," A-na said. "Watching senior artists perform on stage helped me dream of this moment, and I hope to grow through experience, even if I still have a lot to learn."
The group's debut also coincides with that of KiiKii, a rookie girl group from Starship Entertainment, home to aespa's current industry rival, IVE — fueling further buzz around their launch.
But Jiwoo said she doesn't see it as a rivalry.
"Rather than feeling pressured, I think we can positively influence each other," she said. "Our strength lies in connecting hearts through our music, and we'll keep building our own unique sound."