After nearly three years of success in Japan, HYBE Labels' multinational boy band &TEAM has officially made their Korean debut with the release of "Back to Life," marking both a homecoming and an exciting new chapter for the nine-member group. The project represents a significant milestone as &TEAM becomes the first act to successfully bridge HYBE's overseas operations with the Korean market.

Formed in December 2022 under HYBE's Japan-based subsidiary HYBE Labels Japan (formerly known as YX Labels), &TEAM stands as the company's first group to emerge from an international branch. The diverse lineup showcases global representation with six Japanese members, alongside one Korean, one Taiwanese, and one German-Japanese member, embodying HYBE's vision of truly international K-pop.

The group's success in Japan was nothing short of remarkable from the start. Their debut EP "First Howling: ME" immediately shot to number one on Japan's prestigious Oricon chart, while their third single "Go in Blind" achieved over one million shipments, earning official certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. Despite this impressive track record, the group's decision to debut in Korea feels like a natural progression and full-circle moment, returning to the birthplace of the very training system that shaped them.

During a media showcase held at BlueSquare in Seoul's Yongsan District, the group unveiled "Back to Life," the title track of their Korean debut album. EJ, the group's sole Korean member, shared his initial reaction to the news: "When I first heard about our Korean debut, I was honestly surprised. But seeing all the fans who had waited for us, and our staff working tirelessly behind the scenes, made me more determined than ever to do well."

Harua, one of the Japanese members, expressed a different perspective, saying, "For me, it was more excitement than worry. It felt like we were stepping closer to our dream of being global artists." This sentiment reflects the group's ambitious vision of transcending geographical and cultural boundaries through their music.

The title track "Back to Life" carries powerful themes of rebirth and perseverance, which member Maki described as "a major starting point for us, something that represents becoming stronger global artists." The song expertly fuses rock and hip-hop elements, driven by fierce, synchronized rhythms and dynamic choreography that sits at the crossroads between K-pop's explosive performance energy and J-pop's addictive, melodic charm.

The six-track album demonstrates the members' impressive musical versatility and range. Beyond the title track, the collection moves through various moods and styles, from the buoyant, high-energy "Lunatic" and the playful love song "MISMATCH," to the adrenaline-pumping "Rush," the emotionally charged rock ballad "Heartbreak Time Machine," and the deeply introspective "Who am I." Each track showcases different facets of the group's artistic identity.

While &TEAM's musical DNA clearly intertwines elements from both K-pop and J-pop traditions, the group emphasizes that their goal with this Korean debut is to bridge both worlds while expanding far beyond them. "K-pop isn't just Korea's genre anymore. It's a global phenomenon," Harua explained. "We wanted to challenge ourselves here so we can grow into true global artists. I'm most excited about performing on Korean music shows and meeting fans face-to-face. I'm just hoping my Korean will hold up," he added with a laugh.

Yuma echoed this sentiment of ambition and growth, stating, "This debut is a new beginning and a challenge. We want to show our unique color and identity here in the birthplace of K-pop. For us, it's the first step toward something bigger." This perspective highlights the group's understanding of Korea's significance in the global music landscape.

Addressing questions that have often been raised about whether groups formed under Korean entertainment agencies' overseas labels can still be considered authentic K-pop, EJ provided a thoughtful response during the showcase. He emphasized the group's solid foundation in the traditional K-pop training system and creative principles: "Even though we debuted through HYBE's overseas label, our foundation was built within the K-pop system. That system focuses on nurturing versatile talent from a young age, and I think that's why so many unique artists come from it."

EJ continued, "I'm proud to have trained under that system and to now debut here in Korea. Through this album, we want to show both our powerful performances and our pure, family-like energy offstage." This statement underscores the group's commitment to honoring K-pop traditions while bringing their own international perspective to the genre.

With "Back to Life," &TEAM is positioned to make a significant impact on both the Korean music scene and the broader global market. Their unique background as HYBE's first international group, combined with their proven success in Japan and diverse cultural representation, sets them apart in an increasingly competitive landscape. As they embark on this new chapter, &TEAM represents not just a musical act, but a symbol of K-pop's continued evolution and global expansion.