Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT—comprising MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA—ignites their “Anthems of Challenge” series with their electrifying single Young & Reckless, released on August 29, 2025, via Avex Music Creative Inc. This high-energy track, embodying the concept “Like a kid,” captures the fearless, unjudged spirit of youth, blending futuristic electronic beats with nostalgic 90s-00s boyband vibes. Produced by Kavi (co-producer of Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby”) and Edwin Honoret (PRETTYMUCH), it’s a rebellious call to live loud and true. Stream it on Spotify or Apple Music (https://oneoreight.lnk.to/YnR_pre), and watch the music video, premiering at 9:00 PM JST on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoungAndReckless). The follow-up single, BET YOUR LIFE, set for September 2025, continues this narrative of defying limits.
Young & Reckless (2:27) is a sonic manifesto of ONE OR EIGHT’s “all or nothing” ethos, derived from their name’s inspiration, the Japanese idiom “ippuku ka yoka.” Its near-futuristic soundscape, layered with infectious hooks, channels the group’s youthful defiance, encouraging fans to embrace challenges without fear. The music video amplifies this energy, showcasing the eight members’ dynamic synergy. As the first chapter of their “Anthems of Challenge,” it sets the stage for BET YOUR LIFE, which will explore steadfast belief in one’s potential. The track’s production, praised on Hallyu Tones and Real Sound, merges global pop sensibilities with J-Pop’s emotive core, resonating with fans across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Since their August 2024 debut with Don’t Tell Nobody, produced by Ryan Tedder and David Stewart, ONE OR EIGHT has skyrocketed. The single hit #1 on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart, while their 2024 track KAWASAKI (with Big Sean) reached #5 on the U.S. iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart. Their 2025 singles DSTM and 365 marked historic appearances on Korean music shows, a first for an all-Japanese boy group, and DSTM broke into the U.S. Mediabase Top 40 radio chart. A global deal with Atlantic Music Group and fan meetings in six countries underscore their international ascent. Named one of Nikkei Entertainment!’s 100 New Leading Artists and winners of the Upcoming Dance & Vocal Group at MTV VMAJ 2025, they’re a force in global J-Pop.
ONE OR EIGHT’s momentum continues with a performance at the 2025 TME Live International Music Awards in Macau on August 22, 2025, alongside aespa, RIIZE, and TWICE, and a new Rednote account to engage China’s Z-generation. Their August 31, 2025, appearance at a-nation 2025 in Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium, performing with acts like Ayumi Hamasaki and NCT WISH, amplifies their stage presence. With Young & Reckless, ONE OR EIGHT invites fans—dubbed their “dreamers”—to bet on themselves, embodying the group’s tagline. As they prepare for BET YOUR LIFE and more global stages, this eight-member powerhouse is redefining J-Pop with bold ambition and infectious energy.
Upcoming Performances:
- August 31, 2025: Tokyo, Japan – a-nation 2025 (Ajinomoto Stadium)
- TBA: Additional dates for SHŪKAI fan meeting and potential tour stops (check https://oneoreight.com for updates)
Adreena is a writer from Nagano, Japan, but is now residing in Singapore. She mostly writes music news and reviews, but in her spare time, she likes writing fiction and poems.