Hybe Labels Japan
In a thrilling showcase event at Tokyo's Roppongi Hills Arena on Sunday, the Japan-based K-pop sensation &Team presented their highly anticipated second EP, "First Howling: We." The media event, which was livestreamed via YouTube for international audiences, witnessed the nine-member boy band effortlessly blending Japanese, Korean, English, and Chinese languages while conversing with the press.
Released merely six months after their debut under the Korean entertainment company Hybe in December, the EP marks &Team's swift return to the music scene. Comprising seven Japanese members (Taki, Maki, Jo, Harua, Yuma, Fuma, and K), a Korean member (EJ), and a Taiwanese member (Nicholas), the group was meticulously assembled through two televised competitions, namely "I-Land" and "&Audition - The Howling." They officially launched in December under Hybe's Japanese subsidiary, Hybe Labels Japan.
With "First Howling: We," &Team's first foray beyond Japan, the rookie band aims to establish themselves as global artists. Following their media showcase, the group will embark on promotional activities in South Korea next week.
Harua expressed excitement, stating, "We're taking our first step as global artists with this album, and I'm looking forward to everything." Jo added, "Since our debut in December, we've gained valuable experience, learned important lessons, and discovered new aspirations. We hope to present even more of ourselves to the world in the future."
Leader EJ emphasized the band's strong teamwork, stating, "We make it a point to communicate and get to know each other, even if it's just for a brief moment. Our bond and collaboration have become stronger."
Motivated by their desire to shine, &Team unveiled their six-track EP "First Howling: We," led by the captivating title track "Firework." The album narrates the journey and growth of the nine boys as they search for the individual they yearned for in their debut EP, finally encountering them in this installment.
"Firework" captures the poignant moment when &Team finds "you," comparing the emotional crescendo to the explosive lights adorning the night sky. The track was created through a collaboration between Hybe's founder and executive producer, Bang Si-hyuk (also known as "Hit Man" Bang), and producer Frans. K from &Team contributed to the choreography as well.
Fuma emotionally shared, "When we first heard the song, we all felt our anticipation soar. After recording and listening to it, I was overwhelmed with emotion and found myself crying in the car." Fuma found a personal connection to the lyrics, singing about igniting a spark of love, which mirrored his own experience. He credited &Team for reigniting his passion when he was on the verge of giving up.
K emphasized the intensity of their performance, revealing, "As we depict the immense joy of finally meeting 'you,' our stage presence becomes incredibly powerful. During our initial practice, we all collapsed after just the first verse. We devoted ourselves to rigorous training and constant evaluation to perfect our moves."
The EP also includes "Road Not Taken," which &Team performed live during the media showcase. Nicholas highlighted the importance of teamwork while rehearsing the song's complex choreography, which includes challenging acrobatic elements. He stressed the need for unwavering focus to avoid any accidents.
Sayart.net
Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com
