Over the past five years, BE:FIRST have moved quickly from survival show breakout to one of Japan’s most talked about pop groups. Formed through THE FIRST, the dance and vocal powerhouse has continued to expand their reach through self-involved songwriting, choreography, and increasingly large-scale live performances, building a style that moves between pop, hip-hop, R&B, and dance while keeping its identity rooted in Japan.
That momentum carried into 2025 with their first world tour, Who is BE:FIRST?, which took them across the US, Europe, and Asia. Now, as the group enters its fifth anniversary year with new single ‘BE:FIRST ALL DAY’, strong representation at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, and even bigger headline stages ahead, they find themselves looking back on how far they have come while continuing to define what BE:FIRST can become on a global scale.
Speaking with Electric Bloom Webzine, BE:FIRST talk on the impact of their first world tour, what makes J-pop distinct from the Western scene, and how the group’s evolution over the past five years has molded the way they see themselves today.
Your 2025 world tour was titled “Who is BE:FIRST?”. Now that you’ve taken that show across multiple continents, let’s bounce that question back to you: Who is BE:FIRST post-world tour?
When we started the tour, “Who is BE:FIRST?” was an invitation for the world to get to know us. Because we’ve continued to take on things that haven’t been done before, we believe BE:FIRST is a group that represents challenge and evolution.
We are a group that constantly breaks its own mold to create something better. If the world tour was about asking the question, the “post-world tour” BE:FIRST is the living, breathing answer: a group that will never stop evolving to meet the world where it is.
You were formed through THE FIRST, and now you’re preparing to headline one of Japan’s largest outdoor stadiums. Looking back, what parts of that journey still feel surreal?
Personally, when we look back at our old footage or artist photos, our physiques and appearance are so different from now that it almost doesn’t feel real. (laughs) Back then, we were just six individuals still trying to figure out who we were. Now, looking at those photos reminds us of how much “weight” we’ve put into our performances over the years – the sweat and the growth we see in those old photos are what made this reality possible.
Your first world tour in 2025 took you across the US, Europe, and Asia. What did you learn about performing for international audiences that you didn’t expect beforehand?
It’s a bit difficult to put into words, but from our overseas BESTY, we felt something like a very natural, raw energy.
The way they respond and get excited is on another level, and we had to give everything we had just to match that energy in our performances.
Bottom: RYUHEI / JUNON / LEO
“If the world tour was about asking the question, the “post-world tour” BE:FIRST is the living, breathing answer: a group that will never stop evolving to meet the world where it is.”
– BE:FIRST
Festivals like Coachella are known for huge, visually ambitious productions. If BE:FIRST could design their dream festival set with no limits, what would it look like?
While having a large number of dancers on stage could definitely be an effective way to express our music, we’ve rarely relied on that in our performances so far. That’s why we also think there’s value in continuing our stoic style – showcasing everything with just the six of us.
At the same time, we want to keep exploring different possibilities!
BE:FIRST already plays an active role in songwriting, composition, and choreography. Looking ahead, what parts of the music-making process do you want to take even further into your own hands?
While we are constantly deepening our involvement in the music, we are actually very interested in getting involved in merchandise production as well! We want to design pieces that people don’t just wear to a concert, but pieces that fit into their daily lives while carrying the “soul” of BE:FIRST.
Your new track ‘BE:FIRST ALL DAY’ is described as a declaration of lifelong commitment to the group. What has being part of BE:FIRST meant to each of you personally over these past five years?
To us, it represents a strong bond that has allowed us to keep moving forward together, no matter what challenges we faced. There were moments of pressure, doubt, and physical exhaustion, but being part of BE:FIRST meant never having to face those things alone. It’s a support system that gave us the courage to experiment with our sound and push our boundaries.
And of course, that includes BESTY, who have been with us along the way!
Music video for BE:FIRST’s ‘BE:FIRST ALL DAY’
You’ve spoken about wanting to bring J-pop to the world. From your perspective, what makes Japanese pop music distinct from the Western scene?
We think the difference comes from the culture itself — especially in terms of why and how music has been needed and valued. In Japan, there is a very specific way we express emotions – often favouring subtlety and “reading between the lines.” J-Pop is a reflection of a culture that finds beauty in the intricate and the detailed.
Maybe that sounds a bit too serious, though. (laughs) But honestly, it’s that “seriousness” and attention to detail that we want to bring to the global stage. We want to show that J-pop isn’t just a genre; it’s a specific way of feeling and creating that offers something different to the world’s ears.
What parts of Japan’s music culture do you feel are reflected most strongly in BE:FIRST’s sound and performances?
We’ve always wanted to create a sound that feels global but is rooted in our specific DNA. A track like “Masterplan” strongly reflects Japanese elements, especially with the use of traditional instruments.
The intro alone has a lot of impact, so it’s definitely a song we’d love people to experience live.
“We’ve always wanted to push the boundaries of what a group from Japan can be and your support has given us the freedom to express ourselves.”
– BE:FIRST
You’ve collaborated with international artists like Jonas Blue, ATEEZ, and SB19. What do those cross-border collaborations bring to BE:FIRST?
By collaborating with artists we respect, we’re not only expanding globally together, but also shaping and defining BE:FIRST’s identity even further.
We also have an upcoming collaboration with a UK-based artist this year, so we’re really looking forward to having listeners in the UK hear it!
As BE:FIRST enters its fifth anniversary year, what message would you like to share with BESTY around the world who have supported you along the way?
These five years have been a whirlwind of transformation, and none of it would have been possible without the people who chose to walk this path with us. Thank you for supporting us as a group that stands out within J-pop. We’ve always wanted to push the boundaries of what a group from Japan can be and your support has given us the freedom to express ourselves. We will continue to create music that defines what “mainstream” means next.
BE:FIRST will hold their first stadium shows on May 16th and 17th at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, before joining Janet Jackson as special guests on June 14th for her Japan tour. They are also set to appear at SUMMER SONIC 2026 on August 15th at ZOZO Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe.
Dates and tickets
| Date | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| 16 May 2026 | Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 17 May 2026 | Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan |
BE:FIRST
BE:FIRST ALL DAY
Release date: 16/03/2026
Stream: Links
