NAZE Officially Debuts in Japan With “I LIKE IT”
NAZE (네이즈) released its first Japanese digital single, “I LIKE IT,” on September 14, 2026, at 6 p.m. KST and JST. The single went out through domestic and international music platforms at the same time. This is a digital single, not an album, and it holds two tracks: the title song “I LIKE IT” and the B-side “HARMONY.”
The release marks NAZE’s official start in the Japanese market. C9 Entertainment’s first multinational boy group debuted in Korea on May 4, 2026. Its seven members are Kaisei, Yoongi, Ato, Turn, Yuya, Kim Geon and Dohyuk.
Why This Rookie Already Has Measurable Momentum
NAZE’s debut mini album, titled “NAZE,” sold 130,427 copies in its first tracking week of May 4 to May 10, 2026, according to Hanteo Chart data. That number came from the group’s very first week as a recording act.
Before the September 14 digital single, the same “NAZE” mini album had already topped Japan’s Oricon Daily Singles Ranking. That result came ahead of the group’s official Japanese debut, giving C9 Entertainment a measurable signal of audience interest in Japan before “I LIKE IT” existed as a song.
What the Two New Songs Sound Like
“I LIKE IT” is a nu-disco-influenced dance-pop track. It uses tropical instrumentation, vintage guitar tones, a groovy bass line and rhythmic drums, according to StarNews. The B-side, “HARMONY,” takes a different direction, built around a funky guitar-led band sound.
NAZE introduced the release with six concept-photo sets before the songs came out. The sets were titled “gather,” “play,” “pause,” “wander,” “golden hour” and “after dark,” and were published from August 31 through September 10.
Inside the “I LIKE IT” Music Video
The music video for “I LIKE IT” follows all seven members through a day-in-the-life structure. Locations include city streets, a vintage clothing store, a skateboard area and a convenience store. The video uses an analog-film visual style throughout, according to Kstyle.
From “DREAM STAGE” to a Real Japan Debut
Before this digital single, NAZE had already built a direct connection to Japanese audiences. The full group appeared in the Japanese TBS drama “DREAM STAGE” and performed music for the drama, ahead of the group’s Korean debut on May 4, 2026.
That drama appearance came before NAZE existed as a recording group in Korea. The Oricon No. 1 ranking for the “NAZE” mini album followed after the Korean debut, and “I LIKE IT” is the group’s first release made specifically as a Japanese single.
Release Times for Global Fans
The 6 p.m. KST/JST release time converted to different hours across the world on September 14. Southeast Asian fans got the song in the afternoon. Latin American fans got it before sunrise. North American fans got it in the early morning.
- Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi: 4 p.m., September 14
- Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore: 5 p.m., September 14
- Mexico City: 3 a.m., September 14
- Lima, Bogotá: 4 a.m., September 14
- São Paulo, Buenos Aires: 6 a.m., September 14
- New York, Toronto: 5 a.m. EDT, September 14
- Los Angeles, Vancouver: 2 a.m. PDT, September 14
Thai member Turn, officially styled TURN in English, gives NAZE a direct link to Southeast Asian fans alongside the group’s Korean and Japanese members.
What Has Not Been Announced Yet
The materials reviewed for this Japanese debut did not include any North American or Latin American tour dates. No concert schedule for either region has been confirmed as of this release.
Sources
- Sports Kyunghyang · 2026-09-14
- EIN Presswire · 2026-09-14
- StarNews · 2026-09-13
- Kstyle · 2026-09-14
- K-POPIT · 2026-09-12
- Sports Kyunghyang · 2026-08-27
- allkpop · 2026-06-22
- Sports Kyunghyang · 2026-05-11
- Hanteo News · 2026-05-06