As BE:FIRST mark their fifth anniversary, the group is entering a new phase with the release of their latest single, BE:FIRST ALL DAY. The track serves as both a celebration of their journey so far and a statement of intent as they continue to expand their presence globally.
Alongside the release, BE:FIRST have also collaborated with Filipino group SB19, highlighting the growing momentum of cross-border connections within Asian pop. With more international activities ahead, including upcoming performances outside Japan, the group is continuing to build on the global audience they have developed over the past five years.
Selective Hearing spoke with BE:FIRST about their anniversary, the making of BE:FIRST ALL DAY, and how their perspective has evolved as they look toward the future.
Selective Hearing: For readers discovering your music for the first time, please introduce yourselves and tell us a little about BE:FIRST.
RYUHEI: As a group, we take pride in every single action we take, and we continue to move forward without changing what we believe in. This reflects the mindset we carry as BE:FIRST.
Selective Hearing: This year marks your fifth anniversary. Looking back on the journey so far, are there any moments that stand out to you personally?
SHUNTO: The past five years have been a constant cycle of learning, but the world tour in 2025 was definitely the most memorable chapter for me.
During the tour, I was incredibly inspired by all the different countries and cities we visited. Seeing how different cultures interact with music and how our music reaches people so far from home completely changed my perspective.
It made me realize how music can truly bring people together, regardless of where they are from. Those experiences have given me a new kind of hunger to keep evolving and to see how much further we can grow as BE:FIRST.
Selective Hearing: Your new single “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” celebrates this milestone. Can you tell us about the song’s concept and what you hope listeners take away from it?
MANATO: I hope people can feel both our excitement and determination as we kick off our fifth anniversary year with a track that truly showcases BE:FIRST at our core—singing and dancing. We put a lot of heart into this track’s performance to show that, even after five years, our passion for the stage hasn’t faded. We want listeners to hear that energy and know that we are ready to give everything we have to this next chapter.
Selective Hearing: When recording “BE:FIRST ALL DAY,” were there any particular musical or performance elements you focused on to express that growth?
MANATO: For this track, it’s not just about technical precision in dancing—we also focused on contrast, incorporating moments where we loosen up and groove more naturally. In the past, we might have focused solely on being perfectly in sync, but now we’ve reached a point where we can express ourselves more freely and confidently. I think that balance really adds to the choreography’s charm and shows a level of confidence and soul that we could only achieve after these five years together.
Selective Hearing: You’re also collaborating with SB19. How did that come together, and what stood out to you from working with them?
SOTA: We didn’t actually create the song together, but through live rehearsals, performances, and video shoots, we really clicked on a deeper level. I feel like we were able to deliver something that went beyond just the recorded track.
Selective Hearing: We’re seeing more cross-border collaborations across Asia. What excites you most about these kinds of projects?
SOTA: Each country has its own unique music culture and values, and when those come together, it creates something truly one-of-a-kind—both in the music and the performance.
Selective Hearing: BE:FIRST has been reaching more fans worldwide. How do you see your role in bringing Japanese music to a global audience?
LEO: By delivering great music and performances, we hope more people will become interested in Japanese music. This will help bring a wider range of amazing Japanese artists to audiences worldwide.
Selective Hearing: As you look ahead to more international performances, what are you most looking forward to when performing for fans outside Japan?
LEO: I want to see people all around the world enjoying our music, regardless of language.
Selective Hearing: With so much planned this year, what are your goals for 2026?
JUNON: In 2026, we’ll be performing as an opening act for Janet Jackson, and we’ll be active both in Japan and overseas. No matter the stage, we want to deliver our unique charm and do our best in every moment.
Selective Hearing: Finally, do you have a message for your fans, BESTY, and for our readers?
JUNON: Thank you as always. We’ll continue to enjoy making music in our own way and work even harder than ever to share it with all of you.
Selective Hearing would like to thank BE:FIRST for the opportunity to conduct this interview.
BE:FIRST ALL DAY will be released physically on May 6. Readers can stay up to date with BE:FIRST’s latest activities and releases through their official channels.
Official Website: https://befirst.tokyo/
X: https://x.com/BEFIRSTofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/befirst__official/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEFIRSTofficial/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChNkqst-cjAoIbXb-ukn_tQ
