SM Entertainment announced plans to debut a new eight-piece girl group, Hearts2Hearts, on Feb. 24, the company's first rookie girl group in five years since aespa.

The announcement came over the weekend during SM's family concert celebrating its 30th anniversary, "SMTOWN LIVE 2025," at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul. A surprise teaser video during the event revealed details about the upcoming girl group, heightening expectations for K-pop fans.

The K-pop powerhouse announced Monday through an official statement that the new act's name, Hearts2Hearts, reflects the group's mission to "connect with global fans through a magical and beautiful musical world filled with heartfelt emotions and genuine messages."

The company further revealed that it "expect(s) support for the band's eight members for their diverse charms and limitless potential."

Marking SM's first girl group debut since aespa in 2020, Hearts2Hearts will also become the first girl group from the label produced without the involvement of SM's founder Lee Soo-man, who stepped down as executive producer in March 2023.

While further details regarding the members have not yet been disclosed, Hearts2Hearts will begin full-scale promotional activities later this month ahead of its February debut, focusing on building a new musical identity that stands apart from its SM seniors. (Pyo Kyung-min/The Korea Times)