By Martina Rexrode
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TITAN CONTENT
Moving through K-pop as a rookie demands resilience. For AtHeart, that adjustment has come quickly, shaped by equal parts patience and momentum. In a short span of time, they’ve moved from the intensity of training to their first live stages, early fan reactions, and the release of pre-debut material – learning in real time what it means to exist publicly as a group.
Debuting under Titan Content on 14 March 2025 with their first EP Plot Twist, the seven-member girl group – ARIN, MICHI, KATELYN, BOME, SEOHYEON, AURORA, and NAHYUN – already carry themselves with a confidence that belies how new they are. Looking back on that debut period now, the members are able to clearly articulate how their mindset has shifted since then. Growth hasn’t come through distance from their beginnings, but through understanding them more fully.
The dreamy atmosphere of Plot Twist was cohesive and deliberate, introducing AtHeart’s world in just over ten minutes. The EP was met with enthusiasm, pairing distinctive melodies with sharp choreography and a stage presence that felt fully formed from the outset. Even with a small catalogue, it left listeners wanting to see what might come next.
As a new era begins, AtHeart aren’t abandoning what defined their debut – they’re refining it. Their visual language and sound continue to evolve with intention, guided by a clearer sense of who they are and where they want to go.
As they step into this next chapter, we spoke with AtHeart about how they view their debut era now, how they’ve grown together on and off stage, and what they hope listeners take from the music that lies ahead.
Now that you’ve entered a new year as AtHeart, how do you see yourselves differently compared to the moment you debuted with Plot Twist?
SEOHYEON When we first debuted, I was honestly just full of excitement and anticipation. I loved the fact that we were debuting, and it meant everything to me at the time. Now, instead of only feeling excited, I spend a lot more time thinking about how we can show AtHeart, and myself in a better way, and how we can be loved more and shine more. I also keep thinking about the future and setting new goals for myself, and that’s the biggest difference compared to back then.
KATELYN Firstly, I think we’ve matured at least a little, and we’ve learned more about who we are and are still learning. Secondly, looking back, we didn’t really understand how the industry works at first. Now, after almost a year, we know a bit more, but there is still so much to learn and experience.
Looking back on your debut performances, was there a moment where you felt yourselves shift from “preparing to debut” into actually being a group on stage?
NAHYUN Right after we debuted, during our promotions, I was super excited, but at the same time, I was even more nervous. I felt a lot of pressure to do well and not make mistakes. But as we kept practicing together and working hard on our teamwork as AtHeart, and as we got more chances to see our fans and perform on stage, those nervous feelings slowly turned into confidence. Instead of feeling scared, I started looking forward to seeing our fans and couldn’t wait to get on stage. Through that change, I really felt like we were growing as AtHeart and becoming a real team. It also made me want to grow even more and become a better artist. Please keep watching us as we continue to grow
ARIN I don’t think there’s been one clear moment where I really felt it yet. But as we put each stage together as a team, I can feel our teamwork getting stronger little by little, and I can clearly feel that energy when we’re on stage. The more chances we get to perform on bigger and different stages, the more excited I get to see how much AtHeart will grow. I think one day, we’ll be able to stand in front of everyone as real artists and show an even better side of ourselves.
With “Shut Up” and “Butterfly Doors” arriving so close together, how do these releases reflect where you are right now, rather than where you were during your debut?
BOME First of all, through these two songs, we really wanted to show a side of AtHeart that feels clearly different from when we first debuted. Both “Shut Up” and “Butterfly Doors” show how we’ve changed not just musically, but also in terms of concept compared to our debut album. I also think they really show how much we’ve grown in terms of our skills.
MICHI Starting with “Shut Up”, the bright and catchy hook introduces a bolder side of us and helps establish a stronger image. One that feels very different from “Plot Twist.” It reflects how we’ve grown and matured as a group since last year. Similarly, “Butterfly Doors” uses its lyrics to represent a new path ahead for AtHeart. Through these two releases, we hope to show the confident and powerful sides of ourselves and make a clear statement about who we are right now.
Do these new tracks feel like a continuation of Plot Twist, or do they mark a break from it emotionally or sonically?
KATELYN For me personally, it feels very different from “Plot Twist.” Back then, I think we were more like naive young girls. This new album feels more like us growing up, learning new things, and experiencing more. I’m not even sure if “matured” is the right word, but it definitely feels like we’re moving forward and changing
BOME I think it’s both. We’re still keeping that dreamy overall vibe, but in terms of the sound, the way we use our vocals, and the lyrics, it definitely feels different. The emotions feel deeper than before, and there’s a more grown-up perspective in the songs, which makes these new tracks feel like a turning point for AtHeart.
When fans listen to tracks like “Shut Up” and “Butterfly Doors,” what do you hope they notice first – the sound, the emotion, or the growth?
NAHYUN Our debut album, “Plot Twist,” captured a lot of different emotions that anyone can relate to, like feeling confused at times but also excited and nervous. With our title track “Butterfly Doors,” we wanted to express the excitement and sense of freedom that comes with stepping into a new chapter. Just like the meaning behind the lyrics, I think you can really feel how AtHeart has grown, not only musically but also in our performances. I hope everyone looks forward to it.
ARIN There have been a lot of changes musically, and the meaning behind our songs has definitely gotten deeper. But more than anything, I hope people really feel how much AtHeart has grown. As we grow, I feel like we’re able to express our songs and performances with more sincerity and confidence. That’s why I’m even more excited about what’s ahead for AtHeart, and I hope everyone keeps watching us and looking forward to what’s next.
When you started working on new material, what changed most in the way you approached recording or performance compared to your debut era?
SEOHYEON During our first album, I don’t think I really had a clear approach yet. I mainly focused on practicing my parts and figuring things out while recording my vocals in the studio. We also spent a lot of time working together as a team and checking the key parts of the choreography. Now, when I record new songs, I think more carefully about how to bring out a better version of my voice and use my skills more intentionally. And when I’m learning choreography, I focus a lot on how to express it better and perform it in a stronger way, which helps me keep pushing myself and find my own limits
MICHI To be honest, I fell in love with “Shut Up” the moment we received the demo. I replayed it so many times that by the time I stepped into the booth, I already felt confident and comfortable. During the recording, I tried not to rely too much on the demo’s vocal style and instead focused on capturing the overall vibe of the song. It was important for us to make it our own, knowing that each member’s voice would bring a different color and flavor to the track. Compared to our debut era, I had a much clearer idea of how I wanted to deliver the lyrics this time, and I felt more confident that the message of the song would come across naturally.
There’s often pressure on new groups to define themselves early. What’s something about AtHeart that you’re intentionally letting unfold over time instead of explaining right away?
KATELYN “Just who we are.” Instead of defining AtHeart right away, we want to let our personalities and dynamics show naturally over time. Through things like vlogs and sharing everyday moments on the 2GATHR app, where fans can talk directly with us, people can get to know us in a more real and honest way. We’d rather let our identity unfold naturally than explain everything upfront.
BOME We want to slowly show our honest sides and natural charm in a real, natural way. Since that’s not something you can force or create on purpose, we hope it comes through as we spend more time connecting and communicating with our fans. Through that process, we want people to really see the true side of AtHeart.
In moments when things felt uncertain or overwhelming during your first year, what helped you stay grounded and move forward together?
ARIN Having the members right next to me, helping and comforting each other, has really kept me going. Just knowing some people truly understand how I feel makes everything feel a lot lighter. And thanks to our fans who always send us love, even during overwhelming moments, I’m able to tell myself, “There are people who believe in us and are waiting for us,” and get back up again.
SEOHYEON For me, the people who have given me the most strength and helped me keep moving forward are my family and the members I prepared for our debut with. Whenever I felt discouraged or overwhelmed, they were always there to comfort and support me, and I’m truly grateful for that. And thanks to the fans who always cheer us on and love AtHeart, I feel like we’ve been able to find the strength to be here now and keep working on new music.
Looking ahead, are there particular sounds, concepts, or moods you’re curious to explore as you move into your next chapter?
MICHI Our two new releases have actually been the perfect opportunity for us to try out a new style! If “Plot Twist” captured a dreamy, coming-of-age feeling, then these new songs let us explore a more defined sense of maturity with a bolder concept. Since we’ve grown so much since “Plot Twist,” we’ve also been able to experiment with many new looks and sounds, which has been really exciting for us. Plus, we’d love to continue to keep exploring and experimenting with all genres in the future!
BOME Personally, I’d love to try a more band-driven sound, especially rock music, since it feels really different from what we’ve done so far. I listen to that kind of music a lot and really love it so I’ve always been curious about how it would sound if we tried it in AtHeart’s own style. The other members might all have different ideas, but I also think genres with a totally different mood, like jazz or even emotional ballads, could be really interesting for us. Going forward, I just want to keep exploring and trying out different kinds of music.
If someone discovers AtHeart a year from now, what do you hope this early period says about you as artists?
NAHYUN If someone discovers AtHeart later on, I hope they can feel how much we love being on stage and how happy we are when we perform. That’s the feeling we bring with us every day. As rookies, we want our passion, energy, and happiness on stage to really show, so people can feel that positive energy too. We always do our best at every step, so when we look back, we don’t have any regrets. And of course, we’ll never forget where we started and will always love being on stage. We hope our sincerity keeps coming through more and more in our performances and our music
MICHI Simply looking back at our “Good Girl(AtHeart)” pre-debut era makes me feel nostalgic. I hope people can see how much dedication we’ve poured into AtHeart and into every single performance. There’s a sense of purity and innocence in us that I don’t think we’ll ever lose, and I hope that’s something people can still relate to even years from now. I also hope they can see us experimenting and discovering the style that feels most true to us.