&TEAM Returns as Wolves With Support From CORTIS and Bang Si-hyuk

K-pop group &TEAM is making its first comeback in Korea, trading the powerful performance style of its Korean debut for a more restrained and emotionally driven approach. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and fellow HYBE group CORTIS contributed to a B-side on the new album.

&TEAM held a media showcase for its second Korean EP, "Mark on Me," at SBS Prism Tower in Seoul's Mapo district on Sept. 8.

The group debuted in Japan in 2022 and made its official Korean debut in October 2025 with its first Korean EP, "Back to Life." "Mark on Me" marks its first comeback since that Korean debut.

TAKI said he was glad to be promoting in Korea again. "Last time, there was a lot of nervousness, but this time it has turned into excitement. I feel more confident. We grew a lot through our Asia tour and gained stage experience," he said. "Unlike our last song, which mostly showed strong energy, we're coming back with a more delicate track. I hope people will say this side suits &TEAM just as well."

MAKI described the group's first round of Korean promotions as a major step forward. "It wasn't an easy challenge, but every member worked hard, and we were able to achieve our major goals of selling one million copies and winning first place on a music show," he said.

He added that the group's first Korean showcase remained particularly memorable. "Back then, I felt more worried than excited. This time, I want to take on even bigger goals."

The new EP expands the group's signature "wolf DNA" narrative by introducing love as its central emotion. Its storyline centers on a wolf that shut itself away after being rejected by the world, only to begin changing after meeting a "you" who accepts every side of it.

The title track, "Mark on Me," is a pop song built around an emotive piano melody and dramatic progression. A tense opening develops into a powerful and sweeping chorus.

YUMA said the song initially caught him off guard. "Honestly, when I first heard it, I thought, 'This is the title track?' But I believed that the group we are now could pull it off." FUMA said the members focused on small details, including their breathing, to convey the song's delicate emotions.

&TEAM has long been known for powerful energy and tightly synchronized choreography, but the group took a different approach for its latest title track.

"For this song, we focused on conveying the mood through our vocals, eye contact and facial expressions," the members explained. "Even without large movements from all nine of us, we worked to make sure the audience could feel that we were expressing the same emotion."

The members selected the outro dance break as one of the performance's key moments. "It's our first time performing a dance break with the intensity pulled back, so it felt fresh even to us. We think it will show a side of &TEAM that people haven't seen before." FUMA added that he watched numerous performance videos by SHINee's Taemin while preparing for the song.

The credits for the B-side "Good Boy" include Bang Si-hyuk and all five members of CORTIS, a rookie group under BIGHIT MUSIC. All five CORTIS members are credited as lyricists, while MARTIN is also listed as an additional producer. Their involvement drew attention following the release of the tracklist.

EJ said the song immediately felt right for &TEAM. "When I first heard 'Good Boy,' I thought its energy suited &TEAM really well. Many people, including the CORTIS members, worked on this song, and the result is great," he said. "If another opportunity to collaborate arises, we'd love to do it."

For this promotional cycle, &TEAM has set its sights on winning first place on SBS music program "Inkigayo." JO said the goal holds additional meaning because EJ is one of the show's MCs.

"We haven't won on 'Inkigayo' yet. If EJ hyung announces the winner and calls our name himself, it would be a very special moment," JO said.

&TEAM held two encore concerts at BELLUNA DOME in Saitama, Japan, on Sept. 5 and 6. The venue was the largest at which the group had staged a solo concert since its debut.

EJ said the concerts carried particular significance. "We had long promised our fans that we would meet them at a dome, and I'm glad we were able to do it this quickly," he said. "We'll continue working hard so we can enjoy even bigger venues with our fans."

The members also expressed hopes of meeting fans in more regions. K said he wanted to visit places the group has yet to tour, while MAKI set his sights on a major international festival. "I want to perform at Lollapalooza as &TEAM," he said.

&TEAM's second Korean EP, "Mark on Me," will be released at 6 p.m. KST on Sept. 8.