The group TWS (TWS) proved its status as the "next-generation performance powerhouse" at the Golden Disc Awards, marking a strong start to the new year.
TWS (Shin Yu, Dohun, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon, Gyeongmin) won the "best performance" award at the 40th Golden Disc Awards with Upbit held on the 10th at Taipei Dome in Taiwan. It is their second consecutive year winning after taking home the "rookie" award and the "digital music main prize" trophies at last year's ceremony.
TWS said, "We are grateful to the 42 (the fandom name) who support us so reliably. We think we would not have received this award without the 42." and added, "We will run vigorously with the 42 this year as well."
TWS condensed their growth over the past year into a stage like a festival that day. They opened the performance brilliantly with "Isn't it cool to run with your heart pounding?" arranged more grandly with brass sessions and string sounds. They also premiered the Korean version performance of their Japanese debut single Nice to see you again (original title はじめまして/はじめまして) for the first time, radiating buoyant energy.
The highlight was the "angtal challenge" within "OVERDRIVE." During the stage, TWS wittily led by saying, "From now on, those captured on the screen, please do the 'angtal challenge' very cutely." Local top star Hsu Kuang-han (許光漢), ENHYPEN and LE SSERAFIM members shook their shoulders and joined the challenge, turning the venue into a frenzy.
In the following interview, TWS said, "Our new year goal is to get along well with the 42 for a long, long time," and even revealed a 2026 version of the new "angtal challenge," drawing laughter.
TWS also showcased a sweet tone by delivering BTS's hit song "Spring Day" in fantastic harmony. On X (formerly Twitter) real-time trends, "angtalchallenge" (3rd) and "TWS Spring Day" (7th) appeared side by side, showing explosive buzz. TWS's monthly YouTube Music viewers were also counted at 87.4 million on that day (Jan. 10), setting the team's highest record. It is a top-tier number among K-pop boy groups. It surged about 558% compared with November last year (13.29 million). Monthly YouTube Music viewers refer to the number of global users who watched their content or listened to their music over the past 28 days.
[Photo] Screenshot from the broadcast of the 40th Golden Disc Awards with Upbit, PLEDIS Entertainment Co.
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