&TEAM, part of the HYBE Global Group, has shattered its own first-week sales record with their Korean debut album.
According to Hanteo Chart on November 4, &TEAM's Korean mini-album 'Back to Life' sold a total of 1,222,022 copies in its first week (October 28 - November 3). This achievement marks the highest sales for a Korean album released in October and ranks among the top for the entire year.
'Back to Life' became a million-seller on its first day alone, with 1,139,988 copies sold. This milestone follows their previous success with the Japanese single 'Go in Blind,' making it their second consecutive million-seller, showcasing their explosive growth.
On the same day, Oricon announced that 'Back to Life' topped the 'Weekly Album Ranking' (dated November 10, covering October 27 - November 2). &TEAM is the first Japanese artist to achieve this feat with a Korean album.
&TEAM's success transcends mere album sales, symbolizing the fusion and mutual growth in the global music market. HYBE's 'multi-home, multi-genre' strategy is maturing, expanding its influence by integrating the K-pop production system into the global music scene.
'Back to Life' encapsulates &TEAM's strengthened unity and growth. The album is infused with instinctive and challenging energy, based on the team's identity of 'wolf DNA' and HYBE's 'global DNA.'
The album includes six tracks: the title track 'Back to Life,' the upbeat 'Lunatic,' the charming love confession 'MISMATCH,' the powerful vocal showcase 'Rush,' the deeply resonant rock ballad 'Heartbreak Time Machine,' and the sincere message of 'Who am I.' Renowned hitmakers, including Bang Si-hyuk and Soma Genda, who have been with &TEAM since their inception, contributed to the album's high quality.
Debuting in Japan in 2023, &TEAM has solidified their presence by appearing on various Korean music shows and entertainment programs. With remarkable achievements in both Korea and Japan, fans are eagerly anticipating &TEAM's future global endeavors.
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr