
The world that teenagers are deeply immersed in (the swamp) is covered, and the true faces and philosophies of teenagers (those who are immersed) who strive to thoroughly master their 'likes' are approached in the E-Tele variety program 'Numani Hamatte Kiitemita' airing on December 13, featuring &TEAM's EJ, FUMA, YUMA, HARUA, and TAKI. This time, the program will focus on the 'global artist' swamp, which is rapidly increasing as a 'future dream' among teenagers. With the spread of the internet and social media, global music trends have become more accessible. More teenagers are aiming to become artists with the goal of 'performing on the world stage.' In particular, auditions incorporating the K-POP training system are globalized, and applications from Japanese teenagers are flooding in. Therefore, we interviewed those who aspire to be global artists and are working hard to acquire advanced skills in singing and dancing. First, we closely followed trainees who have gone to Korea at a young age, aiming to debut while belonging to entertainment agencies. We covered their daily training schedules and how they spend their days off, listening to their anxieties about living in a foreign country and their strong aspirations for their dreams. We also interviewed those participating in the trending global auditions. We approached their efforts to become global artists and heard the thoughts of their families supporting their dream realization. The most inspiring seniors for these aspiring artists are &TEAM, a nine-member global group that debuted in Korea this October. They were born from auditions and debuted in 2022. Composed of members from various backgrounds, they have just taken flight as global artists aiming for the world after three years. The program closely follows &TEAM's Korean debut, covering the behind-the-scenes of their various activities over two weeks. During a showcase event, they answered questions from reporters and media in Korean, showcasing their efforts not only in singing and dancing but also in language acquisition. They achieved the historic feat of being the first Japanese artists to earn millions in both Japan and Korea. Furthermore, they achieved a triple crown by ranking first in three Korean music programs, and their participation in the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen has been confirmed. The members of &TEAM will be invited to the studio to share advice and messages for their juniors aspiring to be global artists.
In the Billboard Japan 2025 annual charts, &TEAM's 3rd single 'Go in Blind' and their 1st mini-album 'Back to Life' both ranked 5th, with their 2nd album 'Yukiakari' at 8th. They became the first Japanese artist to achieve million sales in both Japan and Korea, with significant streaming growth and recognition in international charts.
&TEAM celebrated their double million achievement with a fan showcase in Japan, debuting the Japanese version of 'Back to Life.' The event featured performances of their songs and heartfelt messages of gratitude to their fans, LUNÉ, as they aim for global success. The group has made significant strides in their career, including charting on Billboard and achieving millions in sales.
&TEAM has released the Japanese version of their title track 'Back to Life' from their first mini-album. The song showcases their strong will and positive energy, with a performance debut on the 30th and a listening party on December 1. They achieved over 1.2 million sales in the first week and topped multiple Billboard charts, marking significant progress for the group.
&TEAM's first mini-album 'Back to Life' debuted on October 28 and topped Billboard's Emerging Artists chart on November 25. They also ranked on five other Billboard charts, showcasing their rapid rise in the global market. Their success is highlighted by increased streaming numbers and recognition from Forbes as a rising group.
At BEAT AX VOL.7 in Tokyo, &TEAM debuted songs from their hit mini-album 'Back to Life,' while aoen shared their journey through a powerful performance. The event featured special collaborations and a lively atmosphere, with both groups engaging with fans and showcasing their growth. Tickets for the next event and aoen's upcoming mini live are available online.
The 67th Japan Record Awards will be broadcast live on December 30. ILLIT won the Excellence Award for 'Almond Chocolate', &TEAM received the Special International Music Award, and BOYNEXTDOOR won Rookie of the Year. ILLIT is the first K-POP girl group to win both Rookie and Excellence awards.
On November 22, &TEAM will appear on NHK's Venue101, a live music show. The episode features performances from various artists, including &TEAM's 'Back to Life' and Nogizaka46's 'Biryani'. Special segments include a visit to a nostalgic rehearsal room and discussions about their careers. Don't miss it!
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