TITAN CONTENT has formed a strategic partnership with Republic Records\u2019 IMPERIAL Music to debut a new seven-member girl group this summer.<\/p>\n
The group, called AtHeart<\/b>, released their first teaser video and launched official social media channels, with plans to share a pre-debut introduction song and video on March 14.<\/p>\n
TITAN CONTENT<\/b>, which describes itself as \u201cthe world\u2019s first premier K-pop-focused music company headquartered in the US,\u201d initially announced AtHeart in July 2024, with members Michi, Katelyn, Seohyeon, Aurora, Bome, Arin, <\/b>and Nahyun <\/b>revealed individually over time.<\/p>\n
The group is supported by an all-star creative team of industry experts from both the US and South Korea who have contributed to K-Pop’s global popularity, according to a press release last Friday (February 21).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to be working with TITAN on their new girl group, AtHeart. When we first heard the music, we immediately knew it was special,\u201d said Glenn Mendlinger<\/b><\/a>, EVP of Republic Records<\/b> and President of IMPERIAL Music<\/b>.<\/p>\n \u201cNikki, Dom, Katie, and the TITAN leadership are a formidable team with a deep understanding of artist development. They have put a fresh lens on K-Pop and alongside IMPERIAL Music\u2019s expertise we have tremendous aspirations and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n Established in 2021 as a division of Republic Records, IMPERIAL Music has generated over 30 million <\/b>adjusted album sales for its artists\u2019 releases. The label has achieved 23 Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including eighteen in the Top 5 and six No. 1 albums from Stray Kids<\/b>, plus No. 1 albums for TWICE<\/b> and TOMORROW x TOGETHER<\/b>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team at IMPERIAL has an incredible track record of developing global stars, and their unparalleled expertise makes them the ideal partner for this venture,” TITAN CONTENT CEO Katie Kang<\/b> said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur vision for AtHeart is perfectly aligned, and we deeply respect their commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we’re ready to break new ground and shape the future of K-Pop. Fans worldwide should prepare for something truly extraordinary.\u201d<\/p>\n TITAN CONTENT is led by Nikki Semin Han<\/b>, former CEO of SM Entertainment<\/b>. Han launched<\/a> TITAN CONTENT in November 2023, and subsequently held<\/a> global auditions for the \u201cnext wave of global K-pop superstars.\u201d<\/p>\n The first set of auditions took place from January to March 2024 in North America and Australia.<\/p>\n TITAN’s leadership team also includes CEO Katie Kang, CBO Dom Rodriguez<\/b>, Chief Visual Officer Guiom Lee<\/b>, and Chief Performance Officer Lia Kim<\/b>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, IMPERIAL Music’s roster includes established superstars and rising new talent, including Baby Gravy (Yung Gravy & bbno$), Bo Burnham, Chri$tian Gate$, G Herbo, ITZY, Jelani Aryeh, Laurel, Lovely Day, Right Or Wrong, Silverlab, Stray Kids, The Chemical Brothers, The Score, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TWICE, <\/b>and more.<\/p>\n The deal marks IMPERIAL Music\u2019s latest in the K-pop scene after expanding<\/a> its global strategic alliance with South Korea\u2019s JYP Entertainment<\/b> in June 2023 to further promote K-pop artists globally.<\/p>\n The development reflects the increasing trend of K-pop companies partnering with international entertainment companies to promote K-pop music and the K-pop talent search model worldwide.<\/p>\n On Friday (February 20), entertainment powerhouse HYBE<\/b> announced<\/a> that it has teamed up with four-time Grammy Award winner Ryan Tedder <\/b>to search for and create a next-generation boy group.<\/p>\n The venture aims to establish a \u201cnew standard for artist development\u201d by combining HYBE\u2019s K-pop training infrastructure with Tedder\u2019s expertise in hit-making and artist development, a press release said.<\/p>\n Separately in November 2023, SM Entertainment <\/b>partnered<\/a> with British production company Moon&Back Media<\/b> to develop a UK-based boy band. Their collaboration aimed to blend K-pop\u2019s training methodology with Western television production.<\/p>\n