NewJeans Makes Waves in Japan: ‘Supernatural’ Nominated for the Prestigious Japan Record Award

K-pop sensation NewJeans has made a major mark in the Japanese music scene, winning big at the prestigious Japan Record Awards. The group earned a top prize nomination for the second consecutive year, further solidifying their global reach. According to their label, ADOR, NewJeans claimed the Excellent Work Award for its hit track “Supernatural” at the 66th Japan Record Awards.

The Excellent Work Award is given to songs that capture the public’s imagination and demonstrate outstanding artistry, originality, and production value. NewJeans is the only international act nominated in this category this year. Furthermore, the ten songs that receive the Excellent Work Award automatically become contenders for the coveted Grand Prize. With “Supernatural” now in the running for the top honor, NewJeans is set to compete at the live awards ceremony in December.

Before officially debuting in Japan last year, NewJeans had already made waves in the Japanese music industry, winning the Excellence Award for “Ditto” and a Special Award at the Japan Record Awards. Riding the wave of their growing popularity, the group is now gearing up for major year-end performances in Japan. They will take the stage on November 30 at Nippon TV’s Best Artist 2024, followed by an appearance on December 4 at Fuji TV’s 2024 FNS Kayosai. On December 31, NewJeans will make history as the first K-pop girl group to perform at COUNTDOWN JAPAN 24/25, Japan’s largest indoor year-end festival, bringing their electrifying energy to close out 2024 in style.

NewJeans has been taking Japan by storm in 2024. Its Japanese debut single “Supernatural,” released in June, topped the Oricon chart on its release day, marking a significant achievement in the competitive Japanese market. The track also earned a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan for surpassing 100,000 units sold. As of October, the album has already sold over 1.26 million copies, according to Circle Chart, further cementing NewJeans’ status as a global powerhouse.

“Supernatural” dominated the local music charts and made waves internationally, proving the group’s cross-border appeal. The track’s success has helped NewJeans build their massive fanbase in Japan and beyond.

In another groundbreaking achievement, NewJeans set a new record as the fastest foreign artist to perform at the Tokyo Dome, reaching this milestone in just 1 year and 11 months. Its Bunnies Camp 2024 Tokyo Dome fan meeting, held on June 26-27, was a sold-out event that attracted over 91,200 attendees. The group has also made a lasting impact by appearing on multiple primetime music programs across Japan, continuing to expand its influence in the country.

Meanwhile, NewJeans’ future has become a subject of speculation following the recent resignation of Min Hee Jin, former CEO of ADOR, the agency that manages the group. Min stepped down from her role as an inside director on Wednesday and has since parted ways with the company, even unfollowing NewJeans’ official social media accounts, signaling a clear separation.