New K-Pop Group Hearts2Hearts Faces Backlash and Defense Amid Rookie Debut

A new K-Pop girl group, Hearts2Hearts,⁢ is​ sparking ‌debate online following⁤ their recent performances, with some critics dismissing them as “nugu”-a Korean term for a relatively unknown or unsuccessful group.​ The controversy began after the group performed a‍ cover of Girls’ Generation‘s iconic song “Gee.”

The initial criticism centered⁢ on the group’s⁣ perceived ⁤lack of “star power”⁤ during the‌ performance. ⁤One Twitter ⁤user, @povsunooo, ⁢expressed this sentiment​ on August 22, 2025, writng, “this ⁢group is so nugu.”

However, ⁣the negative⁤ reaction quickly drew a ​counter-response from fans ‌who defended Hearts2Hearts,‍ emphasizing⁤ the members’ talent and skills. Many argued that these qualities should outweigh the demand for immediate fame. Several fans also criticized ⁤what they saw⁤ as unfair ⁣backlash, asserting that Hearts2Hearts was being unfairly targeted for simply performing their assigned work.

“why does hearts2hearts always get hate for… doing their job well? 😭”‌ tweeted @aecendio‌ on August 24, 2025. Similar sentiments were ​echoed by ​@irenetism, who‍ posted on the same day, “they are the only group i’ve seen​ that always ‍get hate ‌for⁢ doing‌ their job 😭 it’s crazy.”

Another user, @riechocolatte, pointed ‍to a historical pattern within the industry, stating on August 24, 2025, “sm girlgroups always get hate during ⁢their rookie days, they’ll be big,‍ trust me.” This comment references the common experience​ of⁢ girl groups debuting under SM‍ Entertainment, one ⁣of South Korea’s largest entertainment companies, often facing ‍initial ‌skepticism before achieving⁤ success.

Some⁢ observers also suggested that the choice of song-the ‍upbeat and cutesy “Gee”-may have inherently limited the group’s ability ⁤to‌ showcase a⁤ more mature or commanding stage presence. ‌”what kind of star power are ​y’all ​expecting from a Gee cover😭😭😭” questioned @baecix on August 23, 2025.

The ​debate surrounding Hearts2Hearts’‍ debut ⁤highlights a recurring discussion within the K-Pop‌ industry: the balance between raw talent‌ and the ⁤immediate projection of “star power” as crucial elements for achieving success.Hearts2Hearts, as⁤ of‍ August ⁢24, 2025,⁤ continues to build its fanbase and refine its image while navigating the challenges of a competitive⁢ debut.