South Korea’s SM Entertainment is betting big on its latest venture into the K-pop scene, launching its first multi-member girl group since the phenomenally successful Girls’ Generation. Hearts2Hearts, an eight-member ensemble, made their highly anticipated debut on Feb. 24 with their first single “The Chase.”
The octet — comprising members Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on — is stepping into the spotlight with a two-track offering that includes the title song “The Chase” and B-side “Butterflies.”
SM has tapped veteran hitmaker Kenzie for the Korean lyrics, while bringing U.K. R&B trio Flo into the mix for composition duties. “The Chase” aims to mesh dreamy soundscapes with vocal melodies, underpinned by a bass synth that drives the song’s dynamic progression.
The music video follows the eight newcomers on an enigmatic field trip that takes an unexpected turn, leading them through a dreamlike urban adventure as they chart their own course through the city.
For their B-side “Butterflies,” the group shifts gears with a mid-tempo R&B track featuring production work from Amanda Thomsen, Daniel Michael Victor, and Rasmus Gregersen. The song features layered vocal harmonies, complemented by a deep bassline and guitar melodies.
Physical copies of “The Chase” single are also hitting stores today, marking Hearts2Hearts’ first tangible offering to what SM hopes will be a growing global fanbase. The group’s concept centers on creating connections with fans through what the label describes as their own “mysterious and beautiful musical world.”
With this debut, SM Entertainment appears to be positioning Hearts2Hearts as their next major player in the increasingly competitive K-pop landscape, leveraging both international creative talent and their own proven hit-making machinery to launch what could be their next global sensation.
The world of K-pop recently saw Titan Content secure a strategic partnership with Republic Records’ Imperial Music division for its upcoming K-pop girl group AtHeart, which will debut this summer.