Hearts2Hearts Became Teeniepings and Somehow the Eight-Member Homework Got Easier
Eight rookies became eight magical character files. It is merch, lore and the most efficient member-name lesson SM has produced.
What happened
On June 30, 2025, Teenieping TV released a second “STYLE” music video built with Catch! Teenieping. All eight members—Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on—became individual Hatuha-ping characters. The animated group helps Heartsping find a style that feels like hers.
SM Entertainment confirmed the collaboration, Teenieping TV published the video and Yonhap reported the project on July 1. This is confirmed promotional news, not a fandom rumor that escaped a group chat.
Why it matters
Eight-member rookie groups create a basic onboarding problem: new viewers need names, faces, voices and personality cues at the same time. The Hakyuha characters turn that homework into character branding. Each mascot carries visual details connected to a member, which means the merch system is also a flash-card system.
The collaboration also fits “STYLE.” The song uses clothing as shorthand for individuality. The animated story asks Heartsping to choose a style that feels authentic. Product placement and narrative theme are pulling in the same direction for once.
The member-character file
The rollout eventually gave fans a full miniature taxonomy: Carmen’s BINGPING, Yuha’s TORAMUI, Stella’s STELLNYANG, Juun’s JJUUILIEN, A-na’s NOHSUNGIE, Ian’s JEONG DDANG KONG, Ye-on’s ALSSONG HAMSSONG and Jiwoo’s character set inside the same Hakyuha world. The names are aggressively cute. They are also much easier to remember after seeing the member attached.
What is confirmed—and what is not
- Confirmed: official SM/SAMG collaboration and published animation.
- Confirmed: eight member-linked characters and a “STYLE” tie-in.
- Not confirmed: that every future comeback will use the characters.
- Not a scandal: a brand collaboration doing exactly what a brand collaboration is supposed to do.
RaeRae take
I complained that learning eight rookies felt like a facial-recognition exam. SM handed every student a magical mascot and put the answer key in the merchandise. Fine. I have been outmaneuvered by a tiny cartoon.
The reason it works is not merely cuteness. The collaboration understands a real fan problem and makes the solution part of the group’s identity instead of another random endorsement photo.
Receipts
- SM Entertainment and SAMG Entertainment collaboration announcement.
- Teenieping TV’s official Hearts2Hearts “STYLE” collaboration video.
- Yonhap reporting dated July 1, 2025.
- SMTOWN’s original “STYLE” official music video.
Follow the trail
Hearts2Hearts group profile · Member profiles · “STYLE” React