How a group of acrobatic back dancers became Japan's record-breaking pop phenomenon
In short: For years, the six original members of Snow Man were the industry's go-to back dancers, defined by their acrobatic prowess but stalled in their quest for a debut. Their transformation into a chart-topping powerhouse is a story of resilience, strategic expansion, and a surprising, screen-lit announcement that changed everything.
Formed in 2012, the original six-member unit of Snow Man spent years as highly regarded performers in stage plays like Takizawa Kabuki. Despite their reputation as the best dancers among the company's junior ranks, the lack of a debut opportunity left members contemplating departure. The group's trajectory shifted in January 2019 with the addition of three new members, a move the original six embraced as a necessary step to protect their collective dream of realizing the Snow Man identity.
The group's official debut on January 22, 2020, was a historic event, occurring simultaneously with the group SixTones—the first time two groups debuted on the same day in company history. Their debut release, 'D.D.'/'Imitation Rain', became the best-selling debut in Asian history with over 1.8 million physical copies. This momentum continued with their 2021 studio album, Snow Mania S1, which achieved the best first-week sales for a boy group studio album in Japanese history, exceeding 1.8 million copies.
Beyond music, the group has integrated themselves into Japanese media through television shows, voice acting, and film. They have starred in adaptations like the live-action Mr. Osomatsu and Takizawa Kabuki Zero The Movie. By 2025, their influence reached new heights as they celebrated their fifth anniversary with a greatest hits album that set a record for the highest first-week sales of the Reiwa Era. They are now slated to become the first Starto Entertainment group to perform at the Japan National Stadium.
The group's journey has not been without turbulence. In 2020, member Hikaru Iwamoto took a hiatus following reports of past misconduct, and the group faced widespread cancellations of their planned Asia tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these hurdles, their consistent output—including chart-topping singles like 'Grandeur' and their role as brand ambassadors—has solidified their status as a dominant force in the Japanese music industry.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Snow Man
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