TWS's latest comeback "hey! hey!" is drawing mixed reactions from Korean netizens, who claim they are flopping.

In January 2024, Pledis Entertainment debuted their first boy group in nine years since the debut of SEVENTEEN, TWS. This marked PLEDIS Entertainment's first group to debut immediately under HYBE Labels. TWS made their name known in the music industry with the debut mini-album "Sparking Blue" and its lead single "Plot Twist."

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Showcasing a fresh, youthful school-themed concept with catchy, general public-friendly music, TWS quickly garnered attention from the masses. Despite this, five months post-debut, they haven't made a significant mark among the fifth-generation K-pop groups.

Known as "SEVENTEEN's younger brother," TWS managed impressive initial sales, with "Sparking Blue" selling 500,000 copies and "Plot Twist" maintaining a strong presence in digital music rankings for several weeks.

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However, the group's visibility remains low, with none of its six members garnering significant public recognition. This discrepancy has sparked debates and accusations of chart manipulation, given their high sales but lack of fame among the public.

On June 5, TWS made a comeback with "hey! hey!", their first release since debuting. Although it secured the number one spot on the MelOn 2024 chart, "hey! hey!" failed to appear on other domestic digital music charts. This large contrast in performance has fueled skepticism about the authenticity of their chart success.

Previously, "Plot Twist" made a surprising leap into the MelOn Top 100's top 10, surpassing major artists like IU. This sudden rise was suspicious to many. TWS is relatively unknown with little viral presence or a solid fanbase, suggesting potential manipulation, also known as sajaegi, in their chart positioning.

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Despite these controversies, "Plot Twist" remains in the MelOn top 10, with many believing the song is a top contender for Song of the Year at upcoming end-of-year awards ceremonies. The possibility of a song with alleged chart manipulation achieving such achievements has left many K-pop fans disappointed and frustrated.

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

In other news, TWS released their second mini-album, "Summer Beat!," on June 24. The album contains the lead single, "hey! hey!" Back in March 2024, TWS were selected as the new models for Kangol, a British global heritage brand.

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Written by Alexa Lopez