As teenage girls navigating the complexities of life and girlhood, AtHeart continues to share their relatable experiences with their fans.
In their latest dual-release singles, “Shut Up” and “Butterfly Doors,” the girls spotlight a story told in two parts. The first chapter, “Shut Up,” follows the group as they explore the world as teenage girls evolving from their naivety. Then, within the second chapter, “Butterfly Doors,” we witness them maturing like butterflies emerging from their cocoons. Together, these two singles symbolize a new era for AtHeart—one that positions the group in a more mature light as they continue to develop their individuality and artistry. Sweety High discussed these new releases with the girls and what it means for them going forward. Check out what the girls had to say in our interview below.
Sweety High: This year will mark your first anniversary! What do you think your group has improved on the most since debuting?
MICHI: I think the biggest improvement our group has made since our debut has been our confidence and teamwork. Each AtHeart member brings their own unique charm and personality, so we quickly realized the importance of finding harmony as a group. Rather than forcing it, we naturally grew in sync as we spent more time practicing and preparing for our comeback. Now we feel united not only physically but mentally as well, moving forward with the same mindset and goals. We value each other’s thoughts, and we’ve created an environment where we can openly express ourselves. Our frequent communication and “AtHeart talks” are key to what makes our bond so special. The more we perform, the more comfortable we feel exploring different ways to show our chemistry on stage as well. We hope this positively highlights our group’s unique colors and connection, allowing fans to feel even closer to us.
(Photo credit: TITAN Content)
SH: Your fandom now has a name. What does the name “Heartbeat” mean to you and what inspired this choice?
BOME: We actually asked our fans for fandom name suggestions, and the response for “Heartbeat” was truly incredible. It’s such a precious name because it means “You are my heartbeat,” while maintaining that cute connection to our group name, AtHeart. It’s the name that truly connects us.
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SH: “Shut Up” and “Butterfly Doors” are quite different in sound. Is there a connection between the two songs?
ARIN: While “Shut Up” shows AtHeart’s bright and confident side, “Butterfly Doors” reveals a more serious and dreamy side of us. Through these two tracks, you’ll be able to see two very different but equally charming sides of AtHeart.
SH: Did you feel any pressure releasing songs so close together? What was the thought process behind the strategy?
MICHI: I was so excited to release the songs together because of how well they complement each other. We started with “Shut Up,” which was the perfect way to introduce the mature and confident side of AtHeart. Then came our title track “Butterfly Doors.” It begins with a sound that’s familiar to our listeners until the chorus, where it explodes with energy. The music videos also connect in that at the end of “Shut Up,” there is a scene where a door opens, leading directly into the music video for “Butterfly Doors.” “Shut Up” is about taking initiative, while “Butterfly Doors” represents breaking free and stepping into something new. I’m glad we could use the timing of these releases to our advantage.
(Photo Credit: TITAN Content)
SH: Which of the two songs is each member’s favorite?
BOME: That’s such a difficult question! But if I had to choose, it would be “Shut Up.” I really love this song because it captures our unique “heart-teen” vibe with cute lyrics that only AtHeart can pull off while showing a side of us that isn’t just purely girly.
ARIN: For me, it’s “Butterfly Doors.” While “Shut Up” shows AtHeart’s bright energy, “Butterfly Doors” showcases a more mature and different side of us. That’s why I feel a bit more attached to it.
SEOHYEON: I would pick “Butterfly Doors.” It caught my curiosity from the very beginning, and because the chorus bursts with energy, I found myself getting more and more into the song.
NAHYUN: I actually liked “Shut Up” a bit more at first, but my favorite changed to “Butterfly Doors.” I love how each part highlights different strengths and points of the song. It’s definitely a song that gets even better the more you listen to it, so I hope everyone enjoys it a lot.
MICHI: For me, “Shut Up” is my favorite because of the cute and sassy lyrics! The first time I listened to it, the “mwah” and “shh” got stuck in my head! The hook is what makes this song so catchy; it’s impossible not to love! The perfect confidence-boosting song to listen to in the summer!
KATELYN: I personally prefer “Shut Up” because it’s all about confidence and being sure of yourself. It’s really catchy, and the melody is constantly stuck in my head. This song also gives off such great summer vibes. It’s the perfect kind of song to listen to when you’re driving with the windows down!
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SH: When comparing these songs to your first EP, Plot Twist, what aspects of your sound have changed the most?
KATELYN: While our debut EP, Plot Twist, focused on a dreamy atmosphere, these two tracks are all about playful energy and upbeat rhythms. We really wanted to highlight our versatility by shifting from that soft, dreamy mood to something much more vibrant and fun.
SH: What’s next for AtHeart? Is there anything you hope to achieve this year?
NAHYUN: This year, we are working so hard and preparing many things to communicate and have fun with our Heartbeats. We really want to perform on the year-end stages, gift you all with amazing songs and let more people know about the charm of AtHeart. We’re running hard to show you even more sides of us, so please keep supporting and giving us lots of love.
SH: Is there anything else you’d like to share with fans?
SEOHYEON: Making our first comeback with “Shut Up” and “Butterfly Doors” was so much fun. I think it was a great chance to show more of AtHeart’s unique colors and charms. We will keep working hard to show you new sides of us in the future. Thank you so much for always supporting us. We love you!
For even more on the group, click HERE to read our interview with them on their debut EP, Plot Twist.
