Sparkling Blue

Sparkling Blue
The words "Sparkling Blue" written in bubble letters surrounded by a splash of water, with the text "TWS" in the top left and "24/7:With:Us" in the bottom right.
Digital cover
EP by
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2024 (2024-01-22)
GenreK-pop
Length15:04
Language
  • Korean
  • English
Label
TWS chronology
Sparkling Blue
(2024)
Summer Beat!
(2024)
Singles from Sparkling Blue
  1. "Oh Mymy: 7s"
    Released: January 3, 2024
  2. "Plot Twist"
    Released: January 22, 2024

Sparkling Blue is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band TWS, released on January 22, 2024, through Pledis Entertainment. It was promoted by the singles "Oh Mymy: 7s" and "Plot Twist".[1] It debuted atop the Circle Album Chart and at number three of the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart.

Background and release

[edit]

In January 2024, Pledis Entertainment proceeded with their plans to launch TWS, the entertainment label's first boy group in nine years, since Seventeen's debut in 2015.[2] The music video for the song "Oh Mymy: 7s" served as the first preview for TWS' EP a few days before its official release.[2] Several teasers and activities, including a highlight medley,[3] a product endorsement deal with Lotte Chilsung's Milkis,[4] and cover features on Japanese magazines Ray and ViVi,[5] were also revealed to promote and build anticipation for TWS' first EP.

On January 22, 2024, Sparkling Blue, a five-track EP that embodied the sound of "boyhood pop", was released alongside the music video for its lead single "Plot Twist".[6]

Critical reception

[edit]

Writing for Osen, Kyung Jimin commented that the EP was "impressive", remarking on its natural and friendly musical tone and likening it to "a conversation with friends during break time".[7]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Sparkling Blue debuted at number one on the South Korean Circle Album Chart, where it sold 237,606 copies in its first week.[8] The EP also debuted at number three on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart and number four on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.[9][10] In the United States, Sparkling Blue opened at number eight on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 32 on the Top Album Sales chart.[11][12]

Track listing

[edit]
Sparkling Blue track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Plot Twist" (Korean첫 만남은 계획대로 되지 않아; RRcheot mannameun gyehoekdaero dwiji anha; lit. The First Meeting Is Not Going to Go as Planned)
  • Wasurenai
  • Jeon
  • Ohway!
  • Nmore
  • Heon Seo
  • BuildingOwner
  • Glenn
  • T-SK
  • Saeki YouthK (RzC)
  • Wasurenai
  • Jeon
  • Nmore
  • BuildingOwner
  • Ohway!
2:32
2."Unplugged Boy"
  • Louise Udin
  • Adam Von Mentzer
  • Jeon
  • BuildingOwner
  • Heon
  • Von Mentzer
  • Jeon
  • BuildingOwner
  • Von Mentzer
3:08
3."First Hooky"
  • Kim Min-jeong (Jam Factory)
  • Hwang Hye-rim (Jam Factory)
  • Im Su-ran
  • Öberg
  • Sqvare
  • Weeks
3:29
4."BFF"
  • Cha Yu-bin (XYXX)
  • Mia
  • Bay (153/Joombas)
  • Shannon
  • Max Ulver
  • Nmore
  • Ulver
  • Birsday
  • Park Ki-tae
  • Nmore
  • Birsday
2:46
5."Oh Mymy: 7s"
  • Wasurenai
  • Shannon
  • Jeon
  • Haon
  • Glenn
  • Wasurenai
  • Believve
  • Shannon
  • Wasurenai
  • Believve
3:09
Total length:15:04

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Sparkling Blue
Region Certification Certified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[17] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release history for Sparkling Blue
Region Date Format Label
South Korea January 22, 2024 Pledis, YG Plus
Various
  • Digital download
  • streaming
Pledis

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Yeo, Gladys (January 22, 2024). "Pledis Entertainment's new boyband TWS make debut with 'Plot Twist'". NME. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Pyo, Kyung-min (January 23, 2024). "'SEVENTEEN's brother group' TWS seeks to become 'perfect idol'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Kang, Ga-hee. "'플레디스 신인' TWS, 데뷔 앨범 'Sparkling Blue' 하라메 공개" [Pledis’ rookie group TWS releases a highlight medley of their debut album "Sparkling Blue"]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024 – via Naver.
  4. ^ Lee, Min-ji (January 19, 2024). "'세븐틴 동생그룹' TWS, 데뷔 전 탄산음료 광고 모델 발탁" ['Seventeen's younger brother group' TWS, selected as carbonated beverage advertisement model before debut]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Kyung, Ji-min (January 19, 2024). "TWS, 데뷔도 전에 日 잡지 표지 장식..역대급 행보" [Before their debut, TWS graces the cover of Japanese magazines… an unprecedented move]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Abad, Paolo (January 22, 2024). "TWS, Pledis's "super rookie," finally debut with 'Sparkling Blue': "We want to be the group everyone wants to be with 24/7"—listen". Bandwagon Asia. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Kyung, Jimin (January 23, 2024). "TWS, 데뷔 동시에 앨범 차트 1위 직행..발매 당일 20만 장 판매고" [TWS, debuted and went straight to #1 on the album charts.. 200,000 copies sold on the day of release]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024 – via Naver.
  8. ^ a b "Circle Album Chart – Week 4, 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-02-05" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of February 5, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Heatseekers Albums: Week of February 17, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Top Album Sales: Week of February 17, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Ultratop.be – TWS – Sparkling Blue" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "World Albums: Week of February 17, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-01" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  16. ^ "Circle Album Chart – January 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "South Korean album certifications – TWS – Sparkling Blue" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved August 7, 2024.