The group AtHeart, which cites Girls' Generation as a role model, has officially debuted, heralding a new paradigm of K-pop.
AtHeart (Michi, Seohyun, Nahyun, Caitlin, Bom, Arin) held their debut showcase to commemorate the release of their first EP 'Plot Twist' at the Bluesquare SOL Travel Hall in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, starting at 2 p.m. on the 13th, during which they unveiled the stage for their debut song 'Plot Twist' for the first time.
AtHeart is a combination of 'Heart' and 'At(@, consolidation)', meaning that they aim to connect with fans worldwide and grow together. Just as a small flap of wings can create a huge wind, the members are determined to present a new paradigm in the global K-pop scene based on their infinite potential.
On that day, Nahyun said, "As this is a long-awaited debut, it's a truly thrilling and honorable moment. I'm very happy and delighted to be able to perform on this stage. I will do my best even after debut, so I would appreciate it if you could support me as I grow."
AtHeart's first EP 'Plot Twist' is like the first flap of wings towards their rise in the music industry. It includes five songs that reveal the girls' innermost feelings honestly amidst unpredictable flows that are sometimes confusing and sometimes exciting, each with different colors and emotions. As AtHeart's authentic growth narrative unfolds, the members are expected to present a new paradigm in the global K-pop scene, just like a small flap of wings creates a great wind.
Arin introduced the debut album, saying, "In this album, we wanted to express stories that could create diverse colors and twists."
Bom added, "The biggest keyword for this album is the butterfly effect. Just as the 'butterfly effect' denotes that a small flap of wings can create a large wave, we want to become excellent artists who present a new paradigm in K-pop."
The title track 'Plot Twist' is a dance track that hybridizes pop and EDM, creating a 'twist' in its development and emotional flow, as the title suggests. The a cappella intro, which starts with the members' harmonies, showcases a structure that connects with the song's outro, leaving an impression as if one has completed a story. The dramatic transitions that oscillate between dreamy moods and energetic EDM sounds provide addictive charm that unfolds repeatedly in both the music and lyrics.
Notably, producer Jonah Shy, who has worked with the likes of Chappelle, Camila Cabello, and Shawn Mendes, participated in producing and songwriting, enhancing the album's quality. Additionally, support from top engineer Rob Kinelski, who has worked with Billie Eilish on numerous mixing tasks, as well as lyricists Jo Yoon-kyung and Bang Hye-hyun, who penned the lyrics to capture AtHeart's diverse emotions, promised a fantastic synergy.
Michi remarked about the debut track, "When I first heard the song, I loved it so much that I was really happy to have it as our debut title song. The atmosphere is dreamy and the lyrics are well-expressed, which I really liked."
Additionally, 'Plot Twist' includes a dance track based on the ama-piano genre and Afro beats titled 'Push Back', which captures the growing feelings amid the emotional push and pull of excitement and tension; a medium-tempo R&B track titled 'Dot Dot Dot...' that illustrates sincerity conveyed even without saying everything, centered around minimal vocal sound; 'Knew Me', a modern pop genre infused with dream pop elements that showcases AtHeart confidently moving forward based on self-assurance; and 'Good Girl (AtHeart)', a track that embodies AtHeart's intense yet sweet charm, expressing the bold desire to get to know each other through daring vocals, among a total of five songs.
AtHeart is the first girl group of Titan Content, a global K-Pop startup established in Los Angeles, USA, and is composed of high school members with an average age of 16. Seohyun spoke about AtHeart's strengths, stating, "Our strength is that all members are teenagers, so we can show what we can as teenagers. I think we were able to create AtHeart's strengths by expressing our individual talents and good music. I hope you can recognize a lot of freshness and novelty."
AtHeart, which has been noted as a 'K-pop group to watch' by foreign media such as Billboard even before their debut, has chosen Girls' Generation as their role model. Earlier, Girls' Generation member Sooyoung appeared in AtHeart's 'Plot Twist' music video teaser, causing quite a stir.
Nahyun remarked, "Our role model is senior Girls' Generation," adding, "We were really nervous and trembling because our role model is Girls' Generation, and Sooyoung senior appeared in our music video teaser. When we actually met, she gave us a lot of advice and encouragement, allowing us to shoot in a comfortable atmosphere."
Bom recalled, "Nahyun's beloved senior and our role model made us all feel happy and emotional. I remember Nahyun shed tears of emotion among it all."
AtHeart embarks on their activities based on the uniqueness and purity possessed by K-pop idols, as well as sincerity towards fans, music, and the stage. Their journey will be watched closely to see if they can grow into a group that leads a new era of K-pop through bold and innovative attempts in music and performances, as well as fashion and visuals.
AtHeart's first EP 'Plot Twist' will be released simultaneously worldwide today (the 13th) at 6 p.m. through various domestic and international music sites, with a debut showcase held offline the same day at 7:30 p.m. at the Bluesquare SOL Travel Hall in Seoul. AtHeart has confirmed a live stream of their debut showcase to engage with more global fans, which can be accessed through the AtHeart and M2 YouTube channels.
[OSEN]