SM Entertainment’s rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts has been making waves with their debut single “The Chase,” but now fans are buzzing over something unexpected: the release of the original demo version of the track.
Posted on popular forum TheQoo, the demo has given fans a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the group’s debut sound. With a slightly different arrangement, temp vocals, and a more laid-back vibe, the demo paints a fascinating picture of how the now-polished final version came to life.
Hearts2Hearts debuted on February 24, 2025, marking SM’s first girl group launch since aespa in 2020. The eight-member lineup — JIWOO, CARMEN, YUHA, STELLA, JUUN, A-NA, IAN, and YE-ON — quickly captured attention with their elegant visuals and sharp choreography.
Their debut song “The Chase” is a synth-pop track with Alice in Wonderland-inspired themes, written in collaboration with SM’s legendary producer Kenzie and members of UK girl group FLO. It’s bold, dreamy, and mysterious — all wrapped up in a high-gloss K-pop package.
Now, with the demo released, fans are analyzing every beat and vocal nuance. Some say the demo has a softer, more experimental charm, while others appreciate how the final version added punch and polish.
Netizens’ Reactions
“I like the H2H version. The member vocals blend well and the harmonies sound so pretty”
“Wow, the demo is freaking amazing”
“I really love the H2H version too, but the demo is seriously so good”
“If Red Velvet had sung this, it would’ve been a perfect fit”
“Both the demo and H2H versions are good”
“The song itself is good, but it lacks impact as a debut track for a major girl group”
“I thought it was a boring song, but the soulful vocals make it feel richer and less dull—really nice”
“Maybe this soulful style just isn’t for me. Maybe I’m just used to the Ha2Ha version, lol”
“I really don’t get why they chose this as the title. Feels more like a solid B-side track to boost the album quality”
“Still think it would’ve been overlooked if it wasn’t from a major company”
source: (1)
