ARTMS

ARTMS is a South Korean girl group formed by Modhaus in 2023, comprising five former members of LOONA: Heejin, Haseul, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry. The group debuted on May 31, 2024, with the studio album DALL and its lead single "Virtual Angel." Their formation was a direct response to the legal and financial troubles that plagued LOONA's former agency, Blockberry Creative. In early 2023, the five members successfully terminated their contracts and signed with Modhaus, a label founded by Jaden Jeong, LOONA's original creative director. Jeong had been instrumental in developing LOONA's intricate lore and sound, and his involvement with ARTMS signaled a continuation of that vision.

Before the full group debut, each member was reintroduced through solo projects. Heejin released the single album K in October 2023, a pop-rock and R&B-infused record. Haseul followed with Plastic Candy in November 2023, leaning into indie pop. Meanwhile, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry revived the sub-unit Odd Eye Circle, which had originally debuted under LOONA in 2017. Their Modhaus EP Version Up (July 2023) incorporated city pop and synthwave, with the lead single "Air Force One." These pre-debut releases built anticipation for the group's official debut.

ARTMS's debut album DALL was preceded by the pre-release single "Birth" on April 1, 2024. The album blends dream pop, synth-pop, and electronic elements, with lyrics exploring identity, rebirth, and virtual reality. It peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart and No. 9 on the Oricon Albums Chart, marking the fastest entry for a post-LOONA group on the latter. The group embarked on their first world tour, the ARTMS World Tour <DALL>, in 2024, playing 14 shows across Asia, North America, and Europe, with several dates sold out. ARTMS continues to be active under Modhaus, with no plans for disbandment.[edit]

The origins of ARTMS trace back to the collapse of LOONA's agency, Blockberry Creative, which faced financial difficulties and legal disputes with its members. By early 2023, Heejin, Haseul, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry had all successfully terminated their exclusive contracts through court rulings, citing breach of trust and unpaid earnings. They soon signed with Modhaus, a relatively new label founded in 2021 by Jaden Jeong, who had been the creative director for LOONA from 2016 to 2019. Jeong's departure from Blockberry had been acrimonious, and he had long harbored a vision for a group that could realize his artistic concepts without corporate interference.

The members were introduced gradually through the "ARTMS Project", a series of solo and sub-unit releases that served as a soft relaunch. Heejin's K was the first, dropping in October 2023, followed by Haseul's Plastic Candy in November. Odd Eye Circle's Version Up came out in July 2023, effectively reuniting the three members who had been the sub-unit's original lineup. The project's name, "ARTMS," was revealed to be an acronym or stylization of "Artemis," the Greek goddess of the moon and hunt, tying back to LOONA's moon symbolism. Fans speculated for months about whether a full group debut would materialize, and in early 2024, Modhaus confirmed that all five would debut as ARTMS.

The debut was announced with a teaser campaign that included cryptic messages and countdowns. "Birth" was released as a pre-debut single on April 1, 2024, and the full album DALL dropped on May 31, accompanied by the music video for "Virtual Angel." The group's formation was seen as a rare success story in K-pop, where members of a disbanded group managed to reunite under a new label with their original creative director, preserving the artistic identity that had made LOONA distinctive.[edit]

ARTMS's music is characterized by ethereal, cosmic pop with sophisticated production, continuing the sonic identity that Jaden Jeong cultivated during his time with LOONA. Their debut album DALL fuses dream pop, synth-pop, and electronic music, with layered harmonies and intricate instrumental arrangements. The lead single "Virtual Angel" features a driving synth bassline, shimmering arpeggios, and a chorus that builds to a euphoric climax. The pre-release "Birth" is more subdued, with a minimalist beat and breathy vocals that evoke a sense of awakening.

The group's pre-debut releases showcased individual stylistic diversity. Heejin's K incorporated pop-rock and R&B, with guitar-driven tracks and soulful melodies. Haseul's Plastic Candy was indie-pop, with lo-fi production and introspective lyrics. Odd Eye Circle's Version Up leaned heavily into city pop and synthwave, with retro-futuristic sounds and catchy hooks. As a full group, ARTMS emphasizes a cohesive, atmospheric sound, with each member contributing distinct vocal colors. Lyrically, the group explores themes of identity, rebirth, and the intersection of reality and virtual worlds, often referencing Greek mythology and digital art. The album title DALL is a nod to Salvador Dalí, reflecting the surrealist blend of fantasy and reality in their music.[edit]

ARTMS is widely regarded as a successful example of post-disbandment group reformation in K-pop. By reuniting five key members of LOONA under a new label with their original creative director, the group demonstrated that a disbanded act's artistic legacy can be preserved and even expanded. Their debut album DALL was praised for its cohesive concept and production, influencing other K-pop acts to explore themes of virtual reality and AI. The group's fashion, particularly the "cyber-angel" stage outfits for "Virtual Angel," trended on social media, with fans replicating the look. Heejin and Jinsoul have been featured in fashion editorials for Dazed and 1st Look.

ARTMS performed at KCON Los Angeles 2024, marking their first U.S. festival appearance. While they have not yet crossed over into Western mainstream media or charts, their presence on Billboard's World Albums chart and Oricon's top 10 signaled a strong international fanbase. The members have spoken about mental health and self-identity in interviews, resonating with fans who appreciate their openness. The group has not been directly involved in social movements, but their story of resilience and creative independence has inspired many within the K-pop community.[edit]

ARTMS's official fandom name is "OurII" (Korean: 우리, pronounced "oori"), meaning "we" or "us," announced on June 15, 2024. The name symbolizes the bond between the group and their fans. The official lightstick, the "Orbit Stick," continues the LOONA-related theme (LOONA's fandom was "Orbit") and features a spherical, moon-like orb with a pastel pink and blue gradient light. It was released in September 2024 and is compatible with LOONA's original lightstick, allowing fans to use both.

The official fan colors are pastel pink and pastel blue, representing the dawn and twilight concepts of DALL. During concerts, fans have developed a tradition of waving their lightsticks in a circular motion during "Virtual Angel." Birthday projects for each member are common, and in August 2024, fans organized a "Star Project" for the group's 100th day anniversary, donating to children's hospitals in the members' names. Chants of "ARTMS! ARTMS!" are a staple at live shows.[edit]

The group name ARTMS is derived from "Artemis," the Greek goddess of the moon and hunt, reflecting their LOONA heritage and the concept of rebirth. Modhaus CEO Jaden Jeong was LOONA's creative director from 2016 to 2019, making ARTMS a reunion of his original vision. Heejin and Haseul share the leader role, a rare dual-leadership structure in K-pop. The music video for "Virtual Angel" features references to Greek mythology and digital art, with the members portrayed as virtual angels in a cyberpunk world. Choerry is the only member who was not a leader or sub-unit leader in LOONA, but she is the group's maknae. The album DALL is named after Salvador Dalí, symbolizing the blend of reality and fantasy. Jinsoul and Kim Lip were roommates during LOONA's dorm days and continue to live together under Modhaus.[edit]