Hearts2Hearts Focus: A Song-by-Song Journey Through Their Best Work

Hearts2Hearts focus on creating something truly special in the K-pop scene, blending nostalgic third-generation sounds with fresh energy that feels both comforting and new. This eight-member rookie group is rapidly establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the making, particularly with their debut project "FOCUS – The 1st Mini Album".

What makes the Hearts2Hearts focus mini album tracklist stand out is its unique approach to contemporary K-pop trends. If we examine one overriding trend of 2025, it would be "talking over a beat", which the group incorporates effectively throughout their work. However, compared to tracks like RIIZE's 'Impossible' or even Hearts2Hearts's own 'Style' from earlier this year, their title track "Focus" represents a more subtle success. With lyrics like "I cannot focus on anything but you baby", the album captures both the group's musical identity and emotional appeal.

The Identity of Hearts2Hearts in 'Focus'

With the release of their first mini album, Hearts2Hearts are carving out a distinct musical identity. The group carries forward the "innocent charm" of SM's first and second-generation groups while adding refreshing fifth-generation flair.

Blending 3rd-gen nostalgia with 5th-gen polish

Hearts2Hearts strikes a delicate balance between warm, nostalgic elements reminiscent of third-generation K-pop and contemporary confidence. Their sound evokes the sophisticated, polished concepts of classic SM girl groups—ethereal, dreamy, and refined. This approach allows them to stand out in today's landscape while honoring K-pop's golden era.

The role of 'Focus' in defining their sound

"This album marks the beginning of Hearts2Hearts finding its unique color," member Jiwoo explained during their press showcase. The mini album features six diverse tracks spanning house, new jack swing, and city pop genres. According to members, whereas "The Chase" introduced them and "Style" brought them closer to fans, "Focus" represents "who we truly are".

Comparisons to f(x), Red Velvet, and Le Sserafim

Though fans have drawn parallels to f(x) and early Red Velvet, especially with tracks like "Flutter" and "Blue Moon", some debate these comparisons. Nevertheless, what truly distinguishes Hearts2Hearts is their razor-sharp choreography and synchronized energy—qualities the members themselves identify as their strengths.

Production and Composition Across the Album

The sonic architecture of Hearts2Hearts' debut mini album reveals meticulous attention to production details and genre exploration. Produced by renowned K-pop hitmaker KENZIE, who previously crafted the group's singles "The Chase" and "STYLE," the album showcases sophisticated production techniques across diverse musical landscapes.

House beats and instrumental quirks

"FOCUS" introduces Hearts2Hearts' first venture into house music territory, built around a looping piano riff and sleek rhythmic bass line. The production creates a fluid groove with unexpected dramatic spikes. Essentially, what makes the track stand out is the contrast between rougher elements—like the buzzy synth bass pad with drill-inspired drum beats—and the sparkling synths with soft harmonies. Additionally, listeners have noted the goosebump-inducing bass throughout the entire song.

Use of spoken vocals vs melodic lines

Throughout the mini album, Hearts2Hearts strategically alternates between sing-talking and traditional vocal approaches. Specifically, the sonic landscape attempts to emulate first and second-generation girl group songs through spoken segments. In "FOCUS," the members adopt a hardened cadence during talk-rap sections of the chorus, creating a deliberate contrast with the dreamier melodic portions. Conversely, "Blue Moon" prioritizes showcasing the members' vocal abilities through emotive delivery.

Standout production moments in each track

Each song features distinct production signatures:

"Apple Pie" incorporates glossy synths in a nu-disco framework
"Pretty Please" utilizes New Jack Swing elements with distinctive rap sections
"Flutter" embraces City Pop revival sounds paired with dreamy synths
"Blue Moon" blends acoustic guitar melodies with atmospheric synth work

"FOCUS" itself contains several production highlights, including the bridge's iridescent chimes melting into delicate synth keys with guitar licks. Furthermore, the second verse's swimming smooth transitional sine synth line appears briefly at the section's beginning and end, adding textural depth.

Track-by-Track Highlights from the Focus Mini Album

Each track on the Hearts2Hearts focus mini album showcases different facets of the group's evolving musical palette.

Focus – Sleek and hypnotic

The title track blends vintage piano riffs with house rhythms, featuring cool, chic vocals that reveal a new dimension of the group. Member Stella described the song as "almost hypnotic" upon first listen. Notably, this marks the group's first venture into house music, presenting what Jiwoo called their "cool and sophisticated charm".

Apple Pie – Soft and sweet

This nu-disco track combines funky bass lines and analog drum sounds with glossy synths. The lyrics cleverly compare a girls' pajama party to a night of sharing secrets, capturing the intimate atmosphere of friends gathering together.

Pretty Please – Fun and energetic

As a pre-released New Jack Swing style dance song, "Pretty Please" features moog synth bass and tight rhythm. The track seamlessly transitions between emotional vocals and distinctive rap sections, coupled with a playful music video collaboration with Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A.

Flutter – Dreamy and nostalgic

This city pop track harmonizes strings, horns, and warm keyboard sounds. Written by KENZIE, "Flutter" conveys the excitement of confessing first to a hesitant partner. Ian noted the group cherishes this song despite recording challenges: "more than half of us had colds while recording".

Blue Moon – Emotional and vocal-driven

An R&B-based pop ballad layered with gentle guitar melodies and dreamy synth sounds. The lyrics express comfort flowing between two people gazing into each other's eyes. Ye-on mentioned the song aligns perfectly with the team name's meaning: "connecting hearts through music".

Style – Charismatic and viral

Released before the album, "Style" ranked 18th on the Circle Chart, the highest ranking among 2025 debut girl groups. Its infectious shuffle dance sparked a viral challenge created by member Ian, garnering over 40 million views across platforms. The song's bright atmosphere marked a shift from the group's debut track "The Chase".

What Sets Hearts2Hearts Apart as Rookies

In the competitive fifth-generation K-pop landscape, Hearts2Hearts stands out through exceptional performance quality. A-na identifies their "precise choreography" and powerful energy as defining strengths that set them apart from other rookie groups.

Choreography and stage presence

First of all, the group's dedication to performance excellence is evident through their rigorous training regimen—typically practicing choreography for 4-5 hours daily. Their performances blend elegance with power, creating a distinctive style. In fact, Jo Nain, who directed choreography for K-pop Demon Hunters OST "Golden," also crafted the memorable dance points in "Focus". This focus on sharply synchronized movements has become their trademark, with members describing themselves as "confident in sharp performance".

Consistency across releases

Throughout 2025, Hearts2Hearts has maintained remarkable consistency across three releases—following the proven strategy pattern that previously led groups like aespa and f(x) to peak popularity with their third releases. From their debut with "The Chase" to "Style" and now "Focus," each release has refined their musical identity while preserving their trademark "fresh and innocent" image.

Fan reception and growing popularity

Since February, Hearts2Hearts has attracted significant global attention. Their debut music video accumulated over 10.3 million views, subsequently, "Pretty Please" entered Korean music charts including Melon (reaching #53), Genie, and Bugs. Moreover, international fans have been particularly drawn to the group's diverse lineup, which includes Carmen from Indonesia and Canadian-Korean member Stella.