Hearts2Hearts to debut in Japan with first single 'ICONIC HEART'

Girl group Hearts2Hearts has announced the official start of their entry into the Japanese market. The group aims to expand their connection with local fans through their first Japanese single, 'ICONIC HEART.' This rollout goes beyond a simple music release, encompassing a multifaceted strategy that includes the localization of existing hits and participation as MCs at a major music festival.

The music release schedule will proceed in stages. Starting at midnight on the 10th, the digital music release for all tracks in the single will be available on various global music platforms. This will be followed by the official release of the physical album in Japan on the 12th, marking the definitive start of their Japanese activities.

Three tracks featuring a new single and Japanese versions of hits

To compactly showcase the group's identity, this single album includes a total of three tracks. The title track, 'ICONIC HEART,' expresses the thrill and overwhelming emotions of venturing into a wider world through the members' bright and cute charms. The group's signature free-spirited and sparkling energy flows throughout the song.

In addition to the new track, Japanese versions of 'Lemon Tang' and 'Rude!', which were previously loved by their global fandom, are also included. While maintaining the charm of the original songs, they have been reconstructed with Japanese lyrics to ensure familiarity for local listeners. This is viewed as a strategic move to quickly establish a presence in the Japanese market by leveraging the musical assets of Hearts2Hearts. All included tracks share a common sentiment of excitement and joy that grows when the members are together.

'2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer' stage and member I-an's MC role

Coinciding with the launch of their Japanese activities, Hearts2Hearts will also take the stage at a major domestic venue. The group has been confirmed for the lineup of '2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer,' which will be held at KINTEX in Ilsan on the 9th. This performance is expected to once again imprint the group's energy on the public.

In particular, member I-an's role will be a highlight of the event. I-an has been selected as a special MC for '2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer.' Serving alongside RIIZE's Sungchan and NCT Wish's Si-on, I-an will showcase her versatility by handling both stage hosting and off-stage proceedings. Her ability to smoothly guide the flow of the performance is a key point for fans to watch.

A systematic roadmap for global and Japanese expansion

Hearts2Hearts' current move follows a meticulous schedule that separates the digital music release from the physical album launch. The structure is designed to allow fans worldwide to encounter the music first via global platforms at midnight on the 10th, followed by a physical album release in Japan on the 12th to drive local fandom expansion. This approach maintains the momentum of their existing global fandom while securing physical touchpoints within Japan.

Their agency, SM Entertainment, emphasizes the 'energy of the moment of becoming one' that Hearts2Hearts embodies. The release is designed to provide existing fans with new versions of familiar hits while simultaneously imprinting the group's identity on Japanese fans through the new single. The sequence of events, from the Gayo Daejeon stage on the 9th to the Japanese album release on the 12th, signals that Hearts2Hearts has entered a new phase of their career.

Music release and local album release schedule

Hearts2Hearts' first Japanese single 'ICONIC HEART' will be released in both digital and physical formats. Starting at midnight on the 10th, the digital music release for all tracks will be available on various global music platforms. The physical album release in Japan is scheduled for the 12th, allowing global fans to hear the songs digitally before the physical version arrives in Japan.

Strategic composition for the Japanese market

Hearts2Hearts is focusing on delivering their group identity to Japan through this debut single. By including Japanese re-interpretations of the hits 'Lemon Tang' and 'Rude!', they aim to provide both familiarity and freshness to local listeners. The release strategy utilizes a bifurcated approach: a global digital music release on the 10th at 0:00, followed by the official physical album launch in Japan on the 12th.