Rookie girl group Heart of Woman has received focused attention from the US Billboard with their first studio album.
The American music trade publication Billboard announced "25 Best K-pop Albums of 2026" through its official website on the 20th. Heart of Woman's first studio album "Heart Byte: Legacy" made the list at No. 15, proving its influence in the global market.
Billboard evaluated the group for delivering gem-like tracks consecutively despite the bold choice of debuting with a full-length album as a rookie group. The media highlighted the rich vocal harmonies evident in the title track "How Not to Lose Myself," which combines 1990s New Jack Swing and 2000s Spanish guitar elements, as well as in tracks like "Told You So," "Tea," and "Different."
In particular, the track "Skit" was designated as a must-listen, showing their charm as K-pop artists and R&B girl group clearly. Billboard added that despite being a debut work, their identity is remarkably distinct, expressing anticipation for their future endeavors.
"Heart Byte: Legacy" is an album that encapsulates a bold start and original color. The title track "How Not to Lose Myself" received praise as "genuine K-pop" with Korean lyrics containing confidence and comfort, and a Y3K concept. "Skit," led by main producer Dwane, clearly showcases the vocalists' colors and maintains the album's center.
Heart of Woman has continuously released a total of four music videos, building their unique musical world "How Universe" through differentiated performances and storytelling. Attention is focused on the activities of these artists, who earned Billboard's praise simultaneously with their debut.
