Yes! You did not hear me wrong! On February 24, 2025, SM Entertainment officially debuted their newest girl group Hearts2Hearts, introducing themselves to the K-pop scene with their single album "The Chase." This eight-member ensemble comprises Carmen, Jiwoo (leader), Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on.

As a big aespa fan, I am more than just excited to see the release of SM's sixth generation girl group 5 years after aespa's debut in 2020, marking a new chapter in the company's evolving approach to the K-pop industry. While aespa started with the innovative "KWANGYA" and AI avatar concept, Hearts2Hearts appears to be aiming for a more retro yet modern feel, with a focus on youthfulness.

With aespa's global popularity and their position as SM's Metaverse strategy leaders, Hearts2Hearts has high hopes to carve out their own distinct style while furthering the traditional SM sound and performance quality. But the question is, under such a competitive sixth generation girl group bubble, from Illit to MEOW to their potential future competitor KiiKii, can they actually live up to the hype and breakthrough?

Title Track: The Chase

The Chase is a solid, well-produced song with a whimsical, dreamy nature, leaning into a synth-pop sound with an Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired theme. As expected from SM, the production is sleek and skillful, with good use of layered instrumentals and a polished undertone. However, it doesn't feel like the explosive debut songs one would usually expect from SM.

The chorus is catchy and unique, but doesn’t hit with the same force as, say, aespa’s "Black Mamba" or Red Velvet’s "Happiness." It is subtle, a little bland but with strong vocals, cute, but not enough to grab instant mainstream attention. In essence, the track feels very safe. Nothing outstanding, nothing niche, nothing differentiable. To me, it almost feels like a side track instead of the main track, without too grand of a production or effort. It is not hard to ask: where's the impact?

Their B-side track Butterflies carries a similar warmth and sincerity with a mid-tempo R&B track. Although not as catchy or fun, it still showcases their vocal abilities alongside an emotional connection with the audience, offering it an almost timeless quality.

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Performance and Concept

Visually, SM never disappoints. The MV is beautifully filmed with a dreamlike fantasy and urban aesthetics that fit the trend nowadays, following NewJeans's and Illit's footsteps. The choreography is tight and well-synchronized, but again, it doesn’t quite have the “wow” factor that makes a group stand out immediately.

It is cute and clean, but again, what lays beyond the "above average"? And does it leave a lasting impression that attracts fans at first sight?

To me, Hearts2Hearts's debut is not bad--- it just needs more bolder, riskier material that pushes the audience to its limits. However, the K-POP girl group industry is highly dense at this point in the day, with every group fulfilling every possible theme, genre and concept: from Y2K to girl crush and anything else and beyond. But following the traditional trajectory can not be the way out.

Commercially, as a result of SM's fame and popularity, their debut was met with huge success. On its first day, "The Chase" sold 231,648 copies, achieving the second-highest debut sales for a K-pop girl group, following NJZ's "NewJeans," which sold 262,815 copies. This impressive feat enforced the group's potential as a leading act in the sixth generation market.

Final Verdict

Hearts2Hearts is a group with high potential, with undeniably talent and strength. What they need is a good concept and a good song that can make an immediate cultural impact. If SM actually tries and make convincing, audacious music in their next comeback, there are high chances of them rising to the top.

For now, they are off to a promising yet understated start. We'll see what comes next!