In early September, as fans waited for an encore at &TEAM’s third-anniversary event in Tokyo, a surprise film rolled through 1,097 days of memories and momentum. The final card teased: “LUNÉ, are you ready?” Then a second reveal, the louder one by far. “Korea Debut.” That’s when the countdown officially began.

That highly anticipated chapter comes in the form of Back to Life, &TEAM’s first Korean mini album, which dropped on October 28, 2025. It also happens to follow a run that would be ambitious for any young act. Having debuted in December 2022 as HYBE’s first Japan-based global group, &TEAM spent the next few years on a sprint. They tore through 2024 with four major releases, more than 300 Japanese TV appearances, and a social footprint that doubled in a year. Then, in April 2025, their third single “Go in Blind” crossed the one-million mark in shipments, earning a Million certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. If that wasn’t impressive enough, they also closed a 15-show, nine-city Asia tour titled AWAKEN THE BLOODLINE, then came home to announce their latest live wire debut that expands their map and their voice.

In terms of the new release, the album concept began with a clear, studio-board certainty, with EJ explaining, “When we started working on Back to Life, we wanted to make clear that we’re beginning a new chapter—to expand our journey from Japan to the global stage and embrace new challenges along the way. Sonically, we wanted to share &TEAM’s unique and powerful musical identity with a wider audience around the world. Visually, the album continues our ongoing werewolf narrative, and through Back to Life’s powerful performances, we hope LUNÉ can experience and enjoy a new side of &TEAM.”

On the title track, they lean into a punchy rock and hip-hop blend that feels both feral and precise, the kind of song built to snap their wolf mythology fully into focus onstage. “Lunatic” plays like its wild-hearted counterpart, channeling the rush of finally stepping out of the dark and into open air, a streak of liberation that pushes their lore into something brighter and more unrestrained.

From there, the frame widened. Where does that vision land most vividly on the record? Well, according to the group, the entirety of the album. “Back to Life includes six new songs across a variety of genres, such as rock, hip-hop, retro, and R&B. This album really showcases the versatility and unique colors of &TEAM,” YUMA notes. “We put a lot of effort and heart into preparing it, so we truly hope LUNÉ will enjoy every track. We are also working hard to meet more LUNÉs around the world, and we hope this album becomes the foundation for us to go on a world tour and perform at music festivals in the future as well.”

Somewhere in the rush of writing, recording, and rehearsal, growth revealed itself in unplanned ways, too. “I was really surprised by how quickly we memorized the choreography for Back to Life. We didn’t have much time to practice together as a group of nine this time, so when we did, everyone focused intensely, and we managed to learn the choreography together in just two days,” MAKI divulges. “I think that really shows how much &TEAM has grown in terms of teamwork and dedication.”

That shared sense of teamwork specifically resonates with NICHOLAS, who co-signs MAKI’s sentiment. “I would say teamwork as well. Even though our time was very limited, we managed to finish both the recording and the choreography smoothly. We also filmed a music video that I personally feel very proud of. It was all possible thanks to everyone’s effort and hard work.”

For listeners meeting &TEAM through this Korean debut, the starting point is identity. Nine members, nine distinct profiles, one shared vision in music. Because the group’s ethos has always been about bridging worlds, equal parts discipline and spark. “&TEAM is a Japan-based global group that formed through an audition program and is now stepping onto the world stage,” FUMA says, offering newcomers the group’s essential, core pitch. “Through this release, I hope people can learn about the journey that &TEAM has come so far in— and where we’re heading onwards.”

Many would also argue that performance has been the group’s guiding light since day one, and thankfully, this era treats the stage like a co-writer. Choreography shapes how the songs breathe. Camera work and set design turn motifs into scenes. But above all, Back to Life treats movement as a message. K explains, “The performance for Back to Life required a lot of attention to details and subtle nuances. This was a new challenge for us, not only to learn the choreography but also to synchronize our performance as a group. While preparing for this album, we realized once again how challenging it is to stay in sync, so we focused carefully on every detail when preparing our performance.”

Still, every era for &TEAM functions like a high-energy, well-rounded production. Some elements carry forward for continuity. Others bend or crack to make room for reinvention. The connective tissue comes from tone, teamwork, and the framing of their narrative. So what remains unchanged, and what shifts on Back to Life? “I think our wolf backstory is what continues to shape our sound, so that intense, raw energy is what stays the same,” JO divulges. “What evolves are the new emotions and challenges we face with every release. Back to Life brings that evolution to life with a dynamic rock hip-hop melody. It's a sound that really engages listeners, drawing them into a new, significant chapter of our emotional journey. We hope everyone can feel that same dynamic energy with us.”

All of that intention has started to show up in more measurable ways, too. While it should never be the driving force behind an artist, their numbers so far tell a story about timing and resonance. For example, when “Go in Blind” crossed a million in sales, it felt like a stamp of approval from the audience and proud fans. The more interesting part is what it meant internally: how success recalibrates drive, how it represents the hard work of an era, and where pride actually lands when the dust settles. As TAKI puts it, “Reaching the one-million mark is an incredible milestone for us, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support and love from LUNÉ. On top of that, our first Asia tour was incredibly meaningful—being able to meet LUNÉs face-to-face across Asia was an unforgettable experience.”

HARUA offers his take on the group’s major achievement, adding, “For me, I’m proud of the personal growth I experienced during that era. Go in Blind was our first choreography using blindfolds—and performing while managing that nervousness was a real challenge. Overcoming it helped me strengthen my mindset and gave me a deeper sense of confidence on stage.”

Achievements like that rely on a catalog that keeps shifting shape without losing its center. And to date, the &TEAM discography sketches an incredibly versatile line. The group’s fireworks are literal in “FIREWORK,” cinematic in “Deer Hunter,” and entirely kinetic in “Run Wild.” The trick is avoiding whiplash while changing lanes. In ways, the through-line is precision and a performance vocabulary that reads as &TEAM even when the palette flips. MAKI is the first to address the topic, telling us, “Our discography spans a variety of genres, so we reinvent with each release, but at the heart of it, we have that strong, ongoing werewolf identity.”

He continues, “Whenever we create new music, we make sure to leave a trace of that concept. It could be in the lyrics, the choreography, or even a subtle sound like a wolf howling woven into the melody. That’s how we maintain a sense of continuity while still exploring new sounds.” What does this era teach that is worth carrying forward? From EJ’s perspective, it’s performance. “While preparing for this release, I focused a lot on live performance practice,” he tells us. “Singing while dancing requires a completely different set of skills, so I want to carry my live performance abilities into future releases as well.”

Looking into their next era, growth seems inevitable based on their current trajectory. More hands-on studio time. A sharper ear for arrangement. Choreography ideas that change the pace. Directional instincts that shape visuals from mood board to final cut. Anything seems possible, and NICHOLAS specifically has his sights set on growth. “There are still many areas I want to improve, for example, singing is something I’m constantly pushing myself to grow in,” he admits when asked about the next phase. “Beyond that, I also want to grow in terms of rapping, songwriting, fashion, and filming. My [personal] goal is to become an all-rounder who can truly contribute to every aspect of our team as well as our future releases.”

Regardless of the recent plans for expansion, &TEAM’s reach has always been regional and global at once, rooted in Japan under HYBE JAPAN’s YX LABELS with a footprint that stretches across Asia and beyond. Back to Life finally meets that reality head-on, offering continuity for longtime listeners while opening a new vantage point for those arriving now.

And three years in, &TEAM sounds like a group that knows itself—confident enough to take bigger creative risks without losing the core that makes them distinct.