Indonesian Carmen Debuts with SM’s Girl Group Hearts2Hearts

Hearts2Hearts and Indonesian idol Carmen have debuted under SM Entertainment, attracting attention as a new global girl group. Carmen has gained massive popularity in Indonesia, helping Hearts2Hearts expand its influence in the global market. The group is set to make its first music show appearance tonight, showcasing strong vocals and performance skills.

Hearts2Hearts Debuts with Carmen Under SM Entertainment’s New Era

Carmen plays a key role in SM Entertainment’s new girl group, Hearts2Hearts. The group marks the first girl group debut under SM 3.0 and follows the legacy of S.E.S, Girls’ Generation, f(x), Red Velvet, and aespa. Unlike previous SM girl groups, which were shaped by former producer Lee Sooman, Hearts2Hearts was developed entirely under the new system. The group embraces a youthful and fresh image, reminiscent of Girls’ Generation’s 2007 debut.

Hearts2Hearts and Carmen, Explosive Response in Indonesia

Carmen, born in Bali, Indonesia, has attracted immense attention from Indonesian fans. She is the first Indonesian idol to debut under Korea’s four major entertainment agencies—SM, JYP, YG, and HYBE. Even before debuting, she made headlines when her name trended at No. 1 on Indonesia’s Twitter (now X) on January 12. Her debut showcase on February 24 also gained massive support from Indonesian fans. Given Indonesia’s significant presence in the K-pop market, Carmen’s popularity is expected to drive strong global engagement for Hearts2Hearts.

Hearts2Hearts and Carmen, Rising Expectations in the Global Market

Indonesia ranks as the third-largest K-pop market globally, following Japan and the U.S. Thai idols such as Lisa from BLACKPINK, Ten from NCT, and Minnie from (G)I-DLE have already proven the strength of Southeast Asian fanbases. Many Indonesian fans now anticipate Carmen to become the first Indonesian idol to achieve similar success. This interest extends beyond domestic activities, as Hearts2Hearts is also expected to expand into overseas markets.

Carmen’s Vocal Talent and Visual Appeal

Korean online communities, including MLBPARK, have taken an interest in Carmen. Fans praised her as adorable and even suggested she might be the group’s visual member. Many also speculated that Indonesia’s large population of 281.2 million (as of 2023) could significantly boost Hearts2Hearts’ YouTube views. Additionally, fans were surprised to learn that Carmen serves as the group’s main vocalist. This challenges the assumption that she was selected solely for her looks or nationality. Foreign idols like Minnie ((G)I-DLE), Ningning (aespa), and Minami (RESCENE) have also proven that the training system of Korean agencies enables non-Korean trainees to excel in vocals.

Hearts2Hearts’ Music Show Debut

Following their showcase, Hearts2Hearts is set to perform on major Korean music shows. Their official debut stage begins on February 27 with Mnet’s M Countdown, followed by performances on KBS’s Music Bank on February 28, MBC’s Show! Music Core on March 1, and SBS’s Inkigayo on March 2. Their debut single, The Chase, will be their first step in proving their potential as a fifth-generation girl group.

Hearts2Hearts Debut: aespa Sister Group Brings Fresh Energy

Hearts2Hearts Debut single The Chase is now available, marking their official entry into the music industry. Their debut music video premiered on a large-scale media screen, highlighting their unique visuals and concept.

Here’s a link to MLBPARK.

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