WINNER takes it all

“The winner takes it all.”

Much like in ABBA’s hit song, rookie K-pop group WINNER really has taken it all.

The group most recently took over Japan’s Oricon music chart. WINNER saw 31,114 in album sales, taking second place on the “Daily Album” chart with their debut album “2014 S/S-Japan Collection-” which was released on Wednesday.

WINNER’s debut album in Japan includes tracks from the album “2014 S/S,” which was already released in Korea, along with other songs like “Go Up” and “Just Another Boy,” introduced on Mnet’s “WHO IS NEXT: WIN.” All 11 tracks on the album were recorded in Japanese and member Song Min-ho’s solo “I’m Him” was also included as a bonus track.

Before their move to the Japanese market, WINNER dominated 10 Korean music sites right after their debut in Korea. The group also topped a music TV program within five days of their debut, an unusual record for a rookie group. WINNER has also drawn worldwide attention topping iTunes charts in five countries and Chinese popularity ranking “QQ Dien Fung Chart.”

WINNER will launch the “WINNER 1st JAPAN TOUR 2014,” starting in Tokyo on Friday, followed by Sapporo on Sept. 23, Fukuoka on Sept. 28, Nagoya on Oct. 1, Osaka on Oct. 3 to 4 and Tokyo again on Oct. 10-11, with 11 concerts total.

By Park Gyu-oh, Intern reporter (q5park@heraldcorp.com)
[Photo credit: YG Entertainment]