Spotify has launched Spotify CLOSER, a new initiative showcasing emerging Korean artists through exclusive live performances and behind-the-scenes conversations. K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts leads the series, with its performance videos and video podcast now available on the streaming platform.
Released on October 16, 2026, the collection features live performances of “ICONIC HEART (Korean Version),” “Baby Steps,” and a special acoustic version of “Butterflies.” The videos were filmed during the group’s Spotify CLOSER live show in Seoul, giving attendees an opportunity to revisit the event and allowing international fans to experience the performances online.
The initiative aims to help listeners discover rising Korean acts while building stronger connections between artists and their audiences. Spotify has also selected ALLDAY PROJECT and LNGSHOT for upcoming installments, extending the showcase beyond Hearts2Hearts.
According to Spotify’s announcement, the three featured acts have demonstrated strong growth in monthly listeners and substantial engagement through user-created playlists. The company positions Spotify CLOSER as a way to turn that growing interest into a more personal music experience.
HEARTS2HEARTS SHARES THE MEANING BEHIND SPOTIFY CLOSER
The group described the project as a natural extension of its musical identity, which centers on connecting with listeners through heartfelt performances.
“Our name represents a promise to connect with listeners through music that comes from the heart, so Spotify CLOSER feels like a natural fit for us,”
Hearts2Hearts said in Spotify’s press release.
The members added that performing in front of their fans made the experience particularly meaningful. They hope the videos will help audiences worldwide discover their music and learn more about the group.
Alongside the three performances, Spotify CLOSER includes a video podcast featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the members. Fans can watch the content through the official Spotify CLOSER playlist.
To view the performances, listeners can play a track and select “Switch to video” in Spotify. Playback transitions directly from audio to video, allowing fans to continue listening without losing their place in the song.
SPOTIFY STREAMS HIGHLIGHT HEARTS2HEARTS’ GROWTH
The launch comes as Hearts2Hearts continues to expand its international audience following its February 2025 debut. According to Spotify’s October 16 announcement, the group’s monthly streams have increased more than 20-fold since debuting.
The group has accumulated more than 530 million Spotify streams in 2026 alone, with “RUDE!” emerging as its biggest track to date at more than 180 million streams. These figures highlight the growing demand for the group’s music and provide context for its selection as the first Spotify CLOSER artist.
Spotify also reported that Hearts2Hearts, ALLDAY PROJECT, and LNGSHOT have each achieved strong listener growth compared with Korean artists who debuted around the same period. Their followers have grown at more than twice the rate of their listeners, while each act appears in at least 10 times more listener-created playlists than the peer median, according to the company.
ALLDAY PROJECT AND LNGSHOT WILL FOLLOW
Spotify plans to release additional CLOSER content featuring ALLDAY PROJECT and LNGSHOT. The series combines performance videos with conversational content, giving listeners a way to explore artists beyond their recorded releases.
With Hearts2Hearts opening the initiative, Spotify CLOSER adds another platform for emerging Korean artists to reach international audiences through live music and personal stories.
