SM Entertainment Unveils New Group Hearts2Hearts Following Girls' Generation Debut; “Trot Idol” MYTRO Also Set for Official Launch

The South Korean entertainment industry is welcoming a new generation of idol groups. Last month on the 24th, SM Entertainment officially announced the debut of the eight-member girl group Hearts2Hearts. Composed of Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Jun, Eina, Ian, and Ye-on, Hearts2Hearts released their debut single “The Chase.” This debut track features Korean lyrics written by veteran hitmaker Kenji, with British R&B trio Flo contributing to the composition. “The Chase” combines a dreamy soundscape and vocal melodies with the dream pop genre, driven by dynamic bass synths. The B-side track “Butterflies” is an R&B song with a moderate tempo, produced by Amanda Thompson, Daniel Michael Victor, and Rasmus Gregersen. It is characterized by layered vocal harmonies, deep basslines, and guitar melodies. With this debut, SM Entertainment introduces its first multi-member girl group as a major project since Girls' Generation. Hearts2Hearts’ music video depicts the eight members participating in a mysterious field trip that takes an unexpected turn, portraying a dreamlike urban adventure. The group’s concept aims to create a connection with fans through a “mysterious and beautiful musical world.”

Meanwhile, another new concept idol is also preparing for its official debut. MYTRO, a joint project between SM Entertainment and TV Chosun, is entering the K-pop market with the innovative concept of a “trot idol.” MYTRO has confirmed its official debut in February 2025 through TV Chosun’s “<Trotdoll Ipdokgi: Jinsim Nunna> Trotdoll Project.” The group fuses the trot genre with K-pop, preserving the traditional traits of trot while incorporating new K-pop approaches. The music video for their first song “Bomb Bomb Bomb” showcases trot elements along with choreography at the level of K-pop idols, including one-shot and group dance scenes, as well as stylish costumes and makeup. MYTRO’s lineup emphasizes diverse backgrounds. Leader Shouhei was formerly part of SM Rookies and has performed on SMTOWN stages alongside NCT members. Han Tae and Im Chae-pyeong are trot artists who appeared on “<Mr. Trot 2>.” Han Tae previously debuted as an idol in the boy group “Mr. Mr.” in 2012, making him the most suitable member for the “trot idol” concept. Jung Yoon-jae is an actor who appeared in “<Missing: They Were There 2>” and “<Girls' Generation>,” while Seo Woo-hyuk gained attention as a child actor playing Son Myung-oh in “<The Glory>.” During his appearance on “Achim Madang,” Seo Woo-hyuk expressed his passion for the new genre by saying, “I’ve loved adventure and challenges since I was young.” MYTRO has remained active even before its official debut. They attracted attention from trot fans by appearing on TV Chosun’s “<Trotdoll Ipdokgi: Jinsim Nunna>” and “<Achim Madang>,” and they performed a “K-pop idol” stage at the pre-event of “<SMTOWN LIVE 2025>.” They are also reaching out to K-pop fans by releasing original content and behind-the-scenes videos on their official YouTube channel.

The debuts of SM Entertainment’s Hearts2Hearts and MYTRO demonstrate that K-pop is moving beyond being merely a genre, exploring new forms of expression through collaborations with international creators and the fusion of existing genres. Titan Content has also entered into a strategic partnership with Republic Records’ Imperial Music division to prepare for the official debut this summer of a female group named AtHeart. The debuts of these new groups signal continued growth and globalization in the K-pop market.