Sparkling Blue is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean boy band TWS, released on January 22, 2024, through Pledis Entertainment. It was promoted by the singles "Oh Mymy: 7s" and "Plot Twist". It debuted atop the Circle Album Chart and at number three of the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart.
Background and release In January 2024, Pledis Entertainment proceeded with their plans to launch TWS, the entertainment label's first boy group in nine years, since Seventeen's debut in 2015. The music video for the song "Oh Mymy: 7s" served as the first preview for TWS' EP a few days before its official release. Several teasers and activities, including a highlight medley, a product endorsement deal with Lotte Chilsung's Milkis, and cover features on Japanese magazines Ray and ViVi, were also revealed to promote and build anticipation for TWS' first EP.
On January 22, 2024, Sparkling Blue, a five-track EP that embodied the sound of "boyhood pop", was released alongside the music video for its lead single "Plot Twist".
Critical reception Writing for Osen, Kyung Jimin commented that the EP was "impressive", remarking on its natural and friendly musical tone and likening it to "a conversation with friends during break time". IZM Han Seonghyeon scored Sparkling Blue three out of five stars, commenting that although the quality of the EP was decent, its title track "Plot Twist" overshadowed the rest of its tracks due to the album prioritizing achieving a "consistent mood" as a goal.
Commercial performance Sparkling Blue debuted at number one on the South Korean Circle Album Chart, where it sold 237,606 copies in its first week. The EP also debuted at number three on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart and number four on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. In the United States, Sparkling Blue opened at number eight on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 32 on the Top Album Sales chart.
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2024) Peakposition Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 4 South Korean Albums (Circle) 1 US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) 8 US Top Album Sales (Billboard) 16 US World Albums (Billboard) 6
Chart (2026) Peakposition Greek Albums (IFPI) 24
Monthly charts + Chart (2024) Peakposition Japanese Albums (Oricon) 10 South Korean Albums (Circle) 5
Year-end charts + Chart (2024) Position Japanese Albums (Oricon) 90 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 96 South Korean Albums (Circle) 57
Certifications and sales
Release history + Region Date Format Label South Korea January 22, 2024 CD Pledis Various
References