Even Without Ren Meguro… The Thoughts Behind “Snow Man” Members’ New Album, Which Is Selling Like Hotcakes

Fans Worry About ‘M!LK’s’ Momentum

STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s nine-member group “Snow Man” released their new album “AMENITY” on October 7. By the first day, sales had already surpassed half a million copies, once again demonstrating their immense popularity.

“AMENITY” is Snow Man’s sixth album. Meanwhile, member Ren Meguro (29) has been on a temporary hiatus from group activities since January of this year to film the second season of the drama “SHOGUN” (streaming on Disney+).The official “Snow Man” website, operated by their label MENT RECORDING, announced: “With the exception of the audio tracks and music videos for ‘Odorouze!’ and ‘BANG!!’ included on this album, all other content features the eight members excluding Ren Meguro.”

“Nine of the album’s tracks were released early on various music streaming services. Despite the disadvantage of Ren Meguro’s absence—meaning the group was not in its ‘complete’ form—Billboard JAPAN reports that ‘AMENITY’ sold 768,073 copies on its first day of release alone (according to SoundScan Japan).As of the October 8 announcement, sales had risen to 874,996 copies, and the album is running away with the top spot, leading the second-place entry by approximately 856,000 copies.

“Some ‘Snow Man’ fans were concerned that album sales might decline due to Meguro’s reduced involvement. It seems fans were keeping an eye on ‘M!LK’s’ first mini-album, ‘LOVE ENG!NE,’ which was released this past September,” said a sports newspaper entertainment reporter.

“M!LK” is a five-member dance-vocal group under Stardust Promotion. Last year, their song “Iijyan” went viral, and they made their debut appearance on the “76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen” at the end of the year. Their momentum has not waned since the start of this year, and they are on their way to becoming the next generation of “national idols.”

Their first mini-album, “LOVE ENG!NE,” got off to a strong start, selling 838,589 copies on its first day (according to SoundScan Japan). It also achieved their first million-copy milestone on the “Billboard JAPAN Weekly Album Sales Chart ‘Top Albums Sales.’”

To coincide with the album’s release, the “M!LK” team has been holding so-called “fan interaction events,” such as “all-member send-off sessions” and “photo sessions,” using a system where fans can enter a lottery by purchasing eligible products.

The Members’ Pride

Meanwhile, “Snow Man” has no plans to hold meet-and-greet events, and the purchase bonuses included items such as an original hair comb (First Press Edition A), an original cork coaster (First Press Edition B), and an original toothbrush (Regular Edition).

“Snow Man” member Raul (23) updated his blog on the members-only site FAMILY CLUB web on October 7. Regarding the new album, he revealed that they worked on its production under the condition of finding “a way that is sustainable and maintains our physical and mental well-being.”“Rather than relying solely on the reason ‘I’ll buy it because I support them,’ they reportedly focused on their music to create a work that would make fans genuinely think, ‘I want this.’ Content over events. It seems they paid particular attention not only to the CD but also to the content and bonus features of the Blu-ray and DVD releases” (ibid.).

In response to Raul’s words, fans commented:

“A sustainable and mentally and physically healthy approach is what Snow Man prides itself on, isn’t it?”

“Considering it’s essentially an album by the eight members and that the tracks were released in advance, these are truly impressive numbers. I’m happy to see they’re taking on this challenge without relying on events or random bonuses just to boost sales.”

“Reading Raul’s blog made me realize once again how much I like this agency’s approach and sense of pride,”

—and other messages of praise have been pouring in.

On the 2025 “Billboard JAPAN Annual Comprehensive Album Chart ‘Hot Albums’,” Snow Man’s best-of album *THE BEST 2020 – 2025* (released January 22, 2025) claimed the top spot.This marks their third time topping the year-end chart, following 2022 and 2024. On social media, posts from fans such as “I bought extra copies because I want them to hit a million in their first week” can be seen here and there.

With boy bands like M!LK hot on their heels, will *Snow Man* be able to demonstrate an overwhelming lead in sales?