Photo = YX LABELS

 

[Hanteo News = Reporter KANG SUYOUNG] &TEAM’s JO chose taking No. 1 on SBS’ Inkigayo, where member EJ serves as an MC, as the group’s goal for this promotion.

 

&TEAM held a showcase for the release of its 2nd Korean mini album ‘Mark on Me’ at SBS Prism Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 8th. On this day, JO expressed his anticipation for this promotion, saying, “I really want to win No. 1 on Inkigayo, where EJ hyung is an MC.”

 

Asked how he felt about the group’s Korean comeback, TAKI said, “During our last promotion, there was a sense of nervousness, but this time, that has turned into anticipation,” adding, “While doing our Asia tour, we gained a lot of stage experience, and by feeling the reactions of LUNÉ, our fandom, up close, we also gained confidence.” He continued, “This time, we want to show &TEAM’s deep emotions and more mature side.”

 

Looking back on the group’s Korean activities, which began for the first time last year, MAKI recalled, “It was our first step toward moving onto a wider stage,” adding, “It was not an easy challenge, but I was happy that we were able to achieve big goals such as becoming a million-seller and winning No. 1 on music shows together with the members.” He added, “Back then, I was more worried, but this time, I feel a stronger desire to challenge ourselves toward even bigger goals.”

 

The group also had a clear point of anticipation for this promotion. JO answered, “I really want to win No. 1 on Inkigayo, where EJ hyung is an MC.” He said, “During our last promotion, we won No. 1 on several music shows, but we have not yet done so on Inkigayo,” adding, “If EJ hyung personally calls out our name, I think it would become a truly special moment for us and LUNÉ.” He also shared his hope, saying, “I hope this becomes an opportunity to show our performances and charms to people who do not yet know us well.”

 

EJ said, “If our first Korean promotion allowed us to introduce &TEAM’s name and stages, this time, we want to deliver a more mature and deeper charm.” Regarding the title of being HYBE’s first global group, he said, “It is such an honor,” explaining, “For every promotion, we have studied how to narrow the gap between the music K-POP fans expect and the music we can show.” He also shared his ambition, saying, “We prepared well for this promotion so that we can make up for the disappointment of fans who felt that our last Korean promotion was too short,” adding, “Numbers and results are great, but more than anything, I hope &TEAM’s new charm can be delivered well.”

 

&TEAM, which debuted in Japan in 2022, is HYBE’s first global group and has expanded its activities beyond Korea and Asia to the United States, based on overwhelming performances and solid teamwork. Its Korean debut album ‘Back to Life,’ released last year, recorded 1,222,022 copies in initial chodong sales and won three music show trophies. With its 3rd Japanese mini album ‘We on Fire,’ released in April this year, the group recorded 1,238,907 copies in initial chodong sales and achieved its third consecutive million-seller.

 

The album ‘Mark on Me’ unfolds a new story by adding the emotion of love to &TEAM’s identity of “wolf DNA.” It portrays the process of a wolf, who had shut himself away after being rejected by the world, slowly changing after meeting “you,” who accepts every part of him just as he is.

 

&TEAM’s 2nd Korean mini album ‘Mark on Me’ will be released at 6 PM on this day. After successfully completing its first solo dome concert at Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, on the 5th and 6th and carrying that heat into its Korean comeback, attention is focused on whether &TEAM will be able to continue its million-seller streak in initial chodong sales with this album.

 

grace@hanteo.com