Group AND2BLE showed a distinct presence in the local music market with all-around activities including concerts and broadcasts even before their official Japanese debut.
AND2BLE recently announced their full-scale entry into Japan by signing with EPIC Records Japan, a label under Sony Music Labels. They turned on a successful debut green light by consecutively pulling off events ranging from a show-con held at a major local venue to appearances on influential music programs and a downtown free live.
In particular, despite being before their official debut, AND2BLE rose rapidly into the local mainstream at an unprecedented pace and is enjoying massive popularity befitting a "global free pass."
To prove it, AND2BLE recently held the show-con "2026 AND2BLE SHOW CONCERT: Welcome to Qurious" successfully at arena-sized venues K-Arena Yokohama and Zikeion Arena Kobe. In addition, consecutive love calls from influential local music programs such as Nippon Television's THE MUSIC DAY 2026 and TBS's CDTV Live! Live! showed strong interest in AND2BLE. AND2BLE imprinted their presence standing shoulder to shoulder with top domestic and international artists.
Not stopping there, AND2BLE continued with bold moves. AND2BLE chose a direct approach by becoming the first K-pop group to hold a free live at the Shinjuku Kabukicho Cine City plaza in Tokyo. Reports said more than 3,000 people gathered from early hours to see AND2BLE, creating a crush of people. Fans singing along to the Korean lyrics in unison made the group's influence in Japan palpable. Fuji TV's Mezamashi TV covered the free live prominently, proving the group's hot popularity.
The free live not only confirmed the size of AND2BLE's local fandom but also their future growth potential. AND2BLE demonstrated impact by achieving meaningful results even before their official Japanese debut. In fact, AND2BLE's first domestic mini album Sequence 01: Curiosity ranked No. 2 on Tower Records' nationwide weekly comprehensive album chart, No. 2 on Billboard Japan's download album chart, and No. 4 on Oricon's weekly combined album ranking. These are key results that gauge the purchasing power of the local fandom.
Thus, AND2BLE leveraged the fandom power shown on local music charts as solid momentum to successfully complete their show-con and free live. Furthermore, after proving overwhelming performance capabilities on prominent music programs, AND2BLE broadened contact points with the local public as well as their fandom through the free live. Attention is focused on AND2BLE's gradual steps to build anticipation for their official Japanese debut.
[Photo] YH Entertainment
[OSEN]