"SM's youngest daughter" Hearts2Hearts announced their comeback with even more fierce, precise choreography.
On Oct. 20 a media showcase commemorating the release of Hearts2Hearts' first mini album FOCUS took place at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Hearts2Hearts' first mini album FOCUS is composed of six tracks across various genres, including the single STYLE released in June. The title track FOCUS is a house-based song highlighted by a vintage piano riff, featuring an addictive melody and chic vocals that present a new charm for Hearts2Hearts.
At the event the members, expressing their feelings ahead of the comeback, said they would work hard to show a new side of Hearts2Hearts and hoped fans would look forward to their first mini album, Focus.
The members, saying the first mini album Focus is an album that shows Hearts2Hearts' color, explained, "We raised curiosity with 'The Chase' and approached the public with 'Style'; 'Focus' is our intention to show the group's new side and capture attention."
After listening to tracks such as "Apple Pie," "Flutter" and "Blue Moon" and talking about them, Hearts2Hearts opened up about the recording process for the album tracks. Stella first said, "'Apple Pie' has lyrics with a lovely charm. We like girls' nights too, so personally I like this song."
"Flutter" was explained by IAAN. He said, "It's a romantic song about confessing first to someone who hesitates. More than half of us had colds when we recorded this song, so we were worried, but I think the harmony still came through, so it's a song we like and cherish."
Next, about "Blue Moon" Yeon said, "It's a song that contains comfort that connects heart to heart when we make eye contact; the song matches the team's name meaning of wanting to connect hearts with fans through music, so it's a song we cherish." Carmen added, "It was a song I tried to sing delicately during recording. We started this song first but finished it last," mentioning the behind-the-scenes story.
About the title track "Focus," the members said, "It's a house-genre song and a style we're trying for the first time. You can feel Hearts2Hearts' cool and chic charm. It's an easy song to follow and sing along to," and continued, "When we first heard Focus it felt like being under a spell. It's a new look and a new charm, so we researched a lot. We are confident we can show a confident charm."
For the choreography of Focus, Jonain, who participated in the OST "Golden" for the K-pop Demon Hunters, took charge of choreography directing. Regarding this, IAAN of Hearts2Hearts explained, "In Focus we will show a more refined, precise choreography for Hearts2Hearts. As a large group we will present various unit choreographies, so please look forward to it."
After the full performance reveal, the members showcased sharp, synchronized choreography despite being an eight-member group. Asked about the secret to this, Yeon said, "People like our precise choreography, and Jueun unnie leads and helps us synchronize. At SMTown Director Kangta said that stage cohesion is important," she said.
Building on Yeon's comment, Jueun explained, "Director Kangta said, 'Members should keep their promises to each other on stage,' and that seemed meaningful, so it helped us strengthen one another." IAAN added, "We are sincere about the stage, so we frequently give each other feedback and listen. In that regard I think people like our precise choreography."
How much do they practice? Jiu said, "Jonain teacher helped a lot. We take classes four to five hours every day of the week. We work so hard that we naturally lose weight," and the members chimed in, "You lose weight automatically when you dance Focus."
Hearts2Hearts is leading the fifth generation of girl groups alongside ILLIT, BABYMONSTER and MIYAO. Asked about what differentiates Hearts2Hearts from other groups, Aina said, "First, because we're a large group we have energy and can show diverse formations, which is a strength. The reaction that the more you watch the stage the more you like it is encouraging, so we're trying to deliver even better stages."
Carmen added, "I think teamwork is also our biggest strength. We spent trainee days together so there's a lot of trust, and that seems to create synergy."
The members, who debuted in February with "The Chase," have now been debuted for eight months. Regarding changes since then, Stella said, "Although we're still rookies, at debut we were busy looking at the camera. Now we know how to breathe with the audience so we can enjoy it more," and Jiu explained, "I think we're much more comfortable than at debut. While crisp choreography is a strength, within that there's room for individual personality to come through."
Hearts2Hearts is a large group known for precise choreography, and many people also said they were reminded of senior group Girls' Generation. Asked about memorable reactions since debut, IAAN said, "When we debuted people said that despite being many members each person's individuality stands out, and I remember feeling glad that people recognized how sincere we are about the stage. It made us want to work harder preparing stages."
In particular, IAAN's "IAAN challenge," using the choreography from "Style," was widely loved in short-form content. Related to this, IAAN said, "When we practice together I worry a lot about how to present my part so the public will like it. I'm happy and grateful that it's the result of that thinking. In this song Focus there is choreography that features the group performing precise choreography together, and I hope people pay special attention to that part."
Finally, about the achievements they hope to gain from this album, the members said, "We won first place on music shows with 'The Chase,' and we want to win first place on music shows again with Focus. If we aim high we'd like to try for No. 1 on the digital charts as well. We prepared a lot, so we hope people will recognize that we're sincere about the stage and that we worked hard preparing."
Meanwhile, Hearts2Hearts' first mini album FOCUS will be released today (Oct. 20) at 6 p.m.
[Photo] Reporter Min Kyung-hoon
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