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| ▲ The eight members of Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa, attend the press conference for the group's debut single "The Chase" in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- "As our name Hearts2Hearts suggests, we want to connect with global fans and move forward together as a bigger ‘we,’” said Ian of Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa.
SM has officially debuted the rookie group on Monday with their first single, The Chase.
At their debut showcase in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, the group shared their excitement: "Just debuting is already a dream come true, but to do so in SM’s 30th anniversary year makes it even more special. We are honored and determined to become SM’s ‘Future’ through great music."
Hearts2Hearts aims to deliver heartfelt messages through their own unique, mystical, and beautiful musical world, bridging emotions with fans across the globe. The group consists of eight members: Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Jueun, Eina, Ian, and Yeon. Notably, this marks SM’s first large-scale girl group since Girls' Generation debuted in 2007.
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| ▲ Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa, perform the press conference for the group's debut single "The Chase" in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Ian highlighted their strengths, saying, "Our biggest advantage is the synergy created when our different charms come together." Laughing, she added, "The only downside? It takes a bit longer for us to prepare things!"
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| ▲ Ian, a member of Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa, attending the press conference for the group's debut single "The Chase" in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Among the members, Carmen stands out as an aspiring K-pop star from Indonesia. She recalled her journey, saying, "I’ve loved singing since I was young. Watching Girls' Generation perform The Boys on TV mesmerized me, and I started imitating them. Eventually, I auditioned and made it into SM. I'm so grateful."
The group’s debut single The Chase revolves around the themes of ‘dreams’ and ‘beginnings.’ It features two tracks: the title song The Chase and Butterflies.
The Chase blends ethereal soundscapes with captivating vocal melodies, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The track is characterized by its dynamic shifts and powerful bass synthesizers. The song was penned and composed by Kenzie, a hitmaker behind many SM classics, with contributions from British R&B girl group FLO.
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| ▲ Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa, perform the press conference for the group's debut single "The Chase" in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Jueun described it as "a genre unlike anything we’ve heard before," encouraging fans to listen closely for hidden beats and harmonies. Carmen added, "It has a mesmerizing quality, like being pulled into another dimension."
Filming the music video was no easy feat, as Yuha recalled, "We had so many running scenes. Shooting outdoors in the freezing winter was tough, but it paid off because the video looks amazing."
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| ▲ Eina, a member of Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment's first new girl group in five years since aespa, attending the press conference for the group's debut single "The Chase" in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The lyrics convey a strong, confident message about forging one’s own path. The choreography enhances this theme, with highlights including a synchronized flower formation and a powerful march-like sequence.
The second track, Butterflies, is a warm R&B song that layers a rich bassline and guitar with soothing vocal harmonies. It lyrically captures the emotions of facing the long-awaited ‘today’ that they had all dreamed of.
The group has set their sights high. Jueun shared, "Winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2025 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we really want it. We also dream of getting our first music show win. We’ll keep working hard to achieve these goals."
Jiwoo summed up their aspirations with a heartfelt message: "Our group logo features a four-leaf clover, symbolizing that we hope to bring special meaning to your everyday life. We want to be your ‘four-leaf clover.’”
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