Rising K-Pop Idols Hearts2Hearts Are Coming for the Song of the Summer
Our take
The landscape of pop music is ever-shifting, and the arrival of a group poised to claim the “song of the summer” title is always a moment to observe. *Marie Claire’s* “Listen Up” series, spotlighting the influences behind rising artists, provides a fascinating glimpse into the creative DNA of Hearts2Hearts, a rookie K-Pop girl group whose new mini-album, 'Lemon Tang,' is generating considerable buzz. It’s a smart approach, offering fans a deeper understanding of the music beyond just the surface-level appeal, and it speaks to a wider trend in music journalism—a move away from purely promotional pieces towards explorations of artistic process and inspiration. The current moment feels particularly ripe for this kind of deeper dive, especially considering how intertwined fashion and music have become, as exemplified by campaigns like Gigi Hadid’s dazzling work for Rabanne Million Gold Fragrance Gigi Hadid Goes High Shine in Rabanne Million Gold Fragrance. Understanding the influences that shape an artist’s sound is crucial to appreciating their work within the broader cultural context.
The significance of Hearts2Hearts’ emergence shouldn’t be underestimated. K-Pop’s global dominance continues to grow, and the competition to capture the elusive “song of the summer” is fierce. The fact that *Marie Claire* is dedicating space to this, and the specific focus on their musical inspirations, suggests a growing recognition of the group’s potential. It’s a strategic move for the publication as well, tapping into a demographic deeply engaged with both music and fashion, a demographic that also appreciates nuanced storytelling. Furthermore, the article’s mention of the artists' playlists aligns with a broader consumer desire for authenticity and curation—we're increasingly interested in the tastes and preferences of those we admire. This desire is evident in the fervor surrounding sales events like Amazon Prime Day, where discerning shoppers seek out luxury goods, like the best hair products on sale I Found the 10 Best Luxury Hair Products on Sale for Amazon Prime Day. Hearts2Hearts, by sharing their influences, are essentially offering fans a curated glimpse into their world, a strategy that resonates deeply with today’s consumer.
Beyond the immediate buzz of a potential summer hit, Hearts2Hearts' story speaks to the evolving nature of K-Pop itself. The genre has long been characterized by meticulously crafted concepts and a tightly controlled image. However, there’s a growing demand for artists who feel more genuine and relatable, who are willing to share their influences and vulnerabilities. The rise of collaborations, like the Matthew Williamson x Free People collection Matthew Williamson x Free People Deliver Boho Glam, which blends established design expertise with a more accessible aesthetic, mirrors this shift in the music industry: a desire for something that feels both aspirational and approachable. Hearts2Hearts' willingness to open up about their musical inspirations demonstrates a confidence in their own artistry and a desire to connect with audiences on a deeper level, moving beyond the typical polished persona. This transparency fosters a stronger sense of connection and loyalty, which is paramount for long-term success in a saturated market.
Ultimately, the success of Hearts2Hearts and their 'Lemon Tang' mini-album hinges on more than just catchy melodies and impressive choreography. It rests on their ability to cultivate a genuine connection with their audience, to embody a sense of authenticity that resonates in an increasingly curated world. The question now becomes: will this willingness to reveal their artistic influences translate into sustained success, or is this merely a fleeting trend? And, perhaps more importantly, how will other emerging artists leverage this transparency to build their own brands and forge meaningful relationships with their fans?
If you ever wanted to know who is on your favorite singer's playlist, or what albums inspired the latest “it girl” the most, tune in for Marie Claire’s resident music franchise Listen Up. In this interview series, we ask musicians about their listening habits and the specific records that informed their taste—and inherently their journey as an artist.
Hearts2Hearts may be K-pop rookies, but they’re eager to dominate your “song of the summer” debates. That may sound like a lofty goal for a girl group that just debuted 16 months ago, but they’ve already climbed up the charts, landing on the Billboard Global 200 with their infectious, bratty bop “RUDE!” two weeks after their first anniversary. Now, they’re back with their second mini-album, Lemon Tang, which is filled top to bottom with feel-good summer-soundtrack contenders.
“Summer Queen” is an ambitious title to vie for, especially in K-pop. Members Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian, and Ye-on (whose ages range from 16 to 20) grew up on the bubbly, crisp earworms that became inescapable in the warmer months, sung by girl groups like their own SM Entertainment labelmates Red Velvet and Girls’ Generation. In recent years, idol music has trended toward a more industrial, bass-heavy sound, leaving behind the electro- and bubblegum-pop of the 2010s. But Heart2Hearts stands out among the young groups leading the charge to bring carefree euphoria back into K-pop.
“In this hot summer, it’s going to be the best way to refresh yourself through music,” Ye-on says of Lemon Tang's title track, as the group speaks with Marie Claire over Zoom. Stella adds, “The lyrics have a really cute meaning of how it's sweeter when everyone's together…When I first heard the song before we recorded it, I just thought, ‘Oh, this is the perfect summer song.’”
While the group has leaned toward a sleek R&B-influenced sound on previous tracks like “The Chase” and “FOCUS,” “Lemon Tang” cements that the best Hearts2Hearts releases are full of youthful pep. Each song transports listeners back to their own teenage days, with sugary songs full of metaphors about the innocent drama of a first love. Flirting is like a tennis game; romantic advice becomes a secret recipe. Loneliness can make thoughts as sour as a lemon, but when someone new captures your attention, that mysterious tang is irresistible and you may not feel so alone after all.
“Even if we speak different languages and are different, we hope that through our music and through the performances, we can build a connection from our heart to their heart,” Juun says as her groupmates nod in agreement.
With Lemon Tang out now, the members share which 2010s pop anthems informed their music taste and what they’re listening to now.
Stella: When I was younger and growing up, I really loved listening to Ariana Grande. Her Yours Truly album was my favorite. I would listen to it every single day after school.
I-an: The first album I bought with the pocket money my parents gave me was aespa sunbaenim's Girls.
Carmen: The first album I bought with my own money was Justin Bieber’s—the “Boyfriend” one, [Believe].
Carmen: Bruno Mars’s newest album, The Romantic. My favorite song is “Risk It All.”
Jiwoo: The 2000s when there was a lot of pop and dance-pop. If you look at the melodies of songs of that time, they’re really catchy, bouncy, and high-energy. It fits the overall brightness and feel that we look for with Hearts2Hearts.
Stella: I've definitely been really into “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson, but I really loved her music before that as well.
Jiwoo: Red Velvet sunbaenim’s “Red Flavor.” It's a really cute song, and very high-energy.
I-an: Girls’ Generation sunbaenim’s “Holiday.” We covered this song as trainees, and it’s very happy and bright.
Yuha: I had an opportunity to go to a Taeyeon concert. Needless to say, she was a really good singer, but the way that she interacted with fans between songs was very impressive. That was a performance that I really remember.
I-an: The first fan meeting that we had. It was the first event in which we had the full audience of just fans only. So, of course, before going on stage, I really wanted to do well. I was totally nervous. I think that it was something like when we were first debuting, and so, therefore, that made me totally focused. After it was over, I was so happy. I got a feeling of accomplishment, and that's something that I really remember.
Carmen: When we did a fan meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. [Ed. note: Carmen is the first Indonesian K-pop idol under SM.] My mom, my dad, my grandmother, and my big family were all watching me perform, so it made me feel so nervous and happy at the same time.
Stella: “RUDE!” It received a lot of love, so I feel like it would be a good starting point for people who are interested in us or want to get to know us.
Stella: One of the groups that we've really looked up to was Girls’ Generation. If we were ever to do a collaboration or share a stage with them, that would be a big honor.
Stella: I like to listen to really loud electronic music to get me distracted. I search "electro music one hour" on YouTube.
Jiwoo: Girls’ Generation’s “PARTY.”
MC: What song describes the stage in life you’re at right now?
Yuha: aespa’s “Live My Life.”
Carmen: “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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