K-pop challenge...Titan Content First Sails As No. 1 Girl Group At Heart (Roundup)

Aug 06, 2025

Titan Content CEO Kang Jeong-ah, CPO Lia Kim, Chairman Han Se-min, Dom Rodriguez CBO (from left foot). Photo courtesy = Titan Content

'Global K-pop Company'TITAN CONTENT recorded its first journey vigorously.

On the 6th, a 'Titan Content At Heart Launch Founders Meet-Up' event was held at the Rise Autograph Collection in Mapo, Seoul. Starting with Han Se-min, chairman of the board of directors, CEO Kang Jeong-ah, CPO Lia Kim, and CBO Dom Rodriguez attended the event.

Titan Content is the first K-pop startup to be headquartered in the U.S. in April 2023 in K-pop history. It operates HQ and its own studio in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, USA, and has a Korean subsidiary and production studio in Seoul in Korea. On the 13th, the first girl group AtHeart will officially debut.

Chairman Han Se-min, who served as CEO of SM Entertainment and SM Entertainment USA, explained why the event was held on this day, saying, `It is the first time to introduce key figures ahead of the artist's debut. It is not a grand declaration and announcement. I'm going to talk about the company in peace."

He introduced himself as the first K-pop company to be established in the U.S., saying, `I did this, starting with BoA's market entering the U.S..' Titan Content is the first K-pop company to be established in the U.S. With K-pop already gaining recognition in the pop mainstream market and numerous K-pop artists dominating Billboard and performing in stadiums, I wondered what it would be like to create a company that proudly competes with American players in the entertainment home, not in stages," he said, explaining the background of the company's establishment.

Then "When I left SM in 2020, it was during the pandemic. I'm sorry, but I didn't know the team called ATEEZ, but it was popular in the U.S. There were teams like Blackpink and BTS, but now I felt that K-pop has become the main genre in the U.S. market. So I wanted to start from scratch with global infrastructure in the United States," he added.

photo courtesy of Titan Content

CEO Kang Jeong-ah, who discovered TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, f(x), SHINee, EXO, and THE BOYZ, said "When the Hallyu and K-pop markets grew, I remember casting Han and heading to the ground with him in China. Then I moved to a different company and made THE BOYZ. The members were so good, but what was regrettable was that the overseas communication was somewhat insufficient. At that time, I met with Chairman Han and said, "I think I can make new entertainment and items."

Lia Kim, the chief performance officer (CPO), who created famous K-pop choreography, including Twice, ITZY, Mamamoo, and Sunmi, also said, `Chairman Han and Director Kang want to make a group that goes beyond BLACKPINK or BTS. Of course, I could do it, and I trusted his eyes then. I thought it would be a fun project if I joined. Originally, I was interested in directing. I thought it would be a new field to experience," he recalled.

On Titan Content's future plans, Chairman Han will present Titan Content's first girl group At Heart on the 13th. The goal is to have two girl groups, one virtual boy group, two boy groups, one female solo, and one male solo by 2028, he said. "I'm not thinking about labeling yet, but I'm planning to focus on the artist."

There are a lot of girl groups to release first, but considering the historical stage and the K-pop girl group scene, it was right to introduce a girl group first. And overall, it is true that girl groups take less time than boy groups. It takes less time to excavate and train on average."

Atheart. Photo courtesy = Titan Content

We also had a time to introduce Titan Content's '1st girl group'Atheart. Chairman Han said "Since we are a company established in the United States, many people are asking if we will debut in the United States. But I think like this. In fact, I didn't know 'K-pop Demon Hunters' would do this well. I thought it would be childish, but it seems that the success factor is that the essential element of K is accurately and realistically utilized. The essence of Athart lies in K as well. The goal is to develop and sublimate a girl group that fits the global market. "At Heart will also debut in Korea."

The At Heart members also showed off their performances. Lia Kim said, `When I first saw the members of Girls' Generation, I was surprised by Hyoyeon's skills. In At Heart, if Arin did not debut as a singer, she could be a lecturer at One Million. I think he will be a member who can show the best performance among existing girl groups. Overall, AtHeart members are performing with their own feelings. Just because you're good at dancing doesn't mean you're good at performing. Because I think it's important to express the vibes and music well."

Members also appeared on the scene. Atheart is honored to greet her ahead of her debut on August 13th. I'm nervous and nervous, but I worked hard on it"See you at the debut showcase on the 13th." Please look forward to it."

Finally, Chairman Han said "In a way, every day is like 'strongest baseball' in a situation where the four big companies are in control. It's not a major company, it's a new start-up company, so I'm going to shoot the `strongest baseball' every day with humility and hard work. I will grow into a pure music and artist and focus on fandom"I'm determined.

rightlight@sportschosun.com