Debuting Loud and Proud with ‘The Blue Sun’
J-pop’s rising boy group aoen made a sparkling splash at Music Day Fest 2025, held on September 21 at Tokyo Garden Theater. Kicking off the festival, the boys opened with their electrifying debut track ‘The Blue Sun’, setting the tone for a high-energy night packed with nostalgia, choreography, and vocal fireworks.
From ‘Dynamite’ to ‘Blue Flame’: A Versatile Setlist
The seven-member group didn’t stop at one hit. They lit up the stage with their intense dance number ‘Blue Flame’, and added a global twist with a lively cover of BTS’s ‘Dynamite’—shouting out their K-pop roots and cranking up the crowd’s excitement.
aoen also premiered two emotional fan favorites: ‘FINISH LINE ~The End and Beginning~’, the theme from their competition days, and ‘Circle Ring’, a heartfelt song dedicated to their fandom, affectionately known as aoring.
Collab Goals: &TEAM x aoen Lights Up the Stage
One of the night’s most viral-worthy moments came when aoen teamed up with seniors &TEAM for a jaw-dropping dance showcase of King Gnu’s ‘TWILIGHT!!!’. The performance—previously televised—surfaced live for the first time. Featuring members like K, Nicholas, and YUMA from &TEAM, plus KYOSUKE and REO from aoen, the troupe delivered razor-sharp formations and chemistry that sent fans into frenzy.
Heisei Throwbacks with MAX: ’90s Covers Meet Gen Z Idols
For a nostalgia kick, aoen joined MAX, the legendary girl group behind ‘GET MY LOVE!’, for a flashy collaboration. The younger crew took turns reinterpreting Heisei-era classics like SPEED’s ‘Body & Soul’—complete with original choreography by the members themselves.
YUJU and RUKA melted hearts with their cover of KinKi Kids’ ‘Glass Boy’, while GAKU and SOTA went full rock star with WANDS’ ‘Until the World Ends’. Not to be outdone, HIKARU, KYOSUKE, and REO delivered a soulful rendition of Southern All Stars’ ‘Manatsu no Kajitsu’, proving they could channel vintage romance just as well as modern swag.
Crowd Favorites and Emotional Moments
Rounding out their jam-packed set, aoen performed ‘Footprints Etched with You’, a song from their audition finale, and surprised with an impassioned cover of Akina Nakamori’s ‘DESIRE -Jōnetsu-‘. For many aoring, the emotional significance hit hard—fans were spotted tearing up as the boys came full circle on a much larger stage.
Encore Euphoria with MAX, &TEAM and One Final ‘Blue Sun’
The encore turned into a cross-generational party. MAX brought out ‘Ride on Time’, &TEAM jumped in with ‘Run Wild’, and aoen closed the night with one last blast of ‘The Blue Sun’. The final track sent the crowd into orbit, as energy levels stayed sky-high until the last beat.
Leaders, Friends, and Onstage Camaraderie
Even during their in-between talk segments, aoen managed to charm. YUJU and &TEAM’s leader EJ bonded over being the same age and role, snapping a commemorative pic together. Backstage stories also revealed new friendships brewing between members of both groups, painting the scene as a wholesome K-pop x J-pop brotherhood.
From Fresh Debut to Festival Favorite
Since releasing ‘The Blue Sun’ on June 11, aoen has rocketed up the ranks—nabbing the No.1 spot on Oricon’s daily singles chart by mid-June and earning a Gold certification from the Gold Disc Awards for June 2025.
They’ve since performed at blockbuster events like Tokyo Girls Collection 2025 and now, with their Music Day Fest stage dive, they’re not just rookies anymore—they’re ones to watch. Energetic yet versatile, nostalgic yet fresh, aoen is paving their own J-pop lane with every high-kick and harmony.
