BE:FIRST's third documentary film hit theaters on February 6, 2026, capturing 31 days of their first-ever world tour across 12 cities. At a special screening event on February 8, the now six-member group reflected on the journey and shared their ambitions for a landmark stadium show this May.

Born from an Audition: The BE:FIRST Origin Story

BE:FIRST is a dance and vocal group under BMSG, a talent agency founded by Japanese rapper-producer SKY-HI. In 2021, SKY-HI personally financed and launched "THE FIRST," an audition program built on one principle: quality first. The goal was to find artists capable of competing on the world stage through pure skill, not just popularity.

Seven members, SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, and LEO, were selected. Their pre-debut single "Shining One" immediately topped multiple Japanese charts, and their official debut single "Gifted." followed in November 2021. Since then, BE:FIRST has accumulated eight No. 1 hits on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, completed a four-city dome tour in late 2024, and established themselves as one of Japan's premier acts.

"Who is BE:FIRST?": 12 Cities, 31 Days, One Mission

In April 2025, BE:FIRST took their long-awaited first step onto the global stage. The "BE:FIRST World Tour 2025 -Who is BE:FIRST?-" kicked off in Los Angeles and traveled through San Francisco, Taipei, Bangkok, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, New York, Honolulu, Hong Kong, and Singapore, 12 cities spanning North America, Europe, and Asia.

The documentary film BE:the ONE -START BEYOND DREAMS- follows the group across this 12-city tour over 31 days. Directed by Oh Yundong and Kim Hamin, who helmed the previous two installments in the series, the film captures not only electrifying live performances and rehearsals but also quieter moments, members exploring local cultures, relaxing together off-duty, and even filming each other with their own cameras.

Director Oh made an unusual request before shooting began: he asked the members to treat the camera as "a new member of BE:FIRST." The result is a documentary that feels remarkably intimate, revealing the group's unfiltered personalities in a way the previous films never quite achieved.

A Turning Point Mid-Tour: RYOKI's Departure

What elevates this documentary beyond a standard concert film is the unexpected drama that unfolded during the tour. Mid-way through, member RYOKI stepped away from several shows due to health reasons. His final performance with the group came at the Singapore show on July 5, 2025. He officially departed from BE:FIRST in November 2025, and the group has continued as a six-member unit since then.

The film documents the emotional arc surrounding RYOKI's absence, the remaining members' confusion, their candid feelings about the sudden shift, and ultimately their determination to channel adversity into strength. The footage of the Singapore show, knowing it would be the last time all seven performed together, carries a particular weight.

Stage Greeting: Six Members Share Their Vision

On February 8, 2026, all six current members, SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, and LEO, appeared at a screening event at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo, with the event live-streamed to theaters nationwide for their fans, known as "BESTY."

SOTA spoke proudly about the film's authenticity: "BE:FIRST was born from an audition, and the cameras have always been around. After four years together, we can just be ourselves naturally in front of the lens. This movie really captures who we are." He added a touching observation about the group's chemistry: "We all got tired at the same moments and excited at the same moments. We're truly a miraculous team."

Each member also revealed a personal goal for 2026 using a flip board. RYUHEI wrote a single kanji character meaning "dream" (yume), adding small English annotations that prompted LEO to joke, "That looks like a sign for a traditional Japanese restaurant", sending the whole group into laughter. RYUHEI then composed himself and declared: "We have the stadium show coming, and beyond that, we're still dreaming. One word says it all."

MANATO offered a cryptic flip reading "Level up every second," adding, "You'll understand what I mean soon enough." JUNON, reflecting on the world tour experience, pledged to become "a group that is loved." And LEO shared his vision of becoming "a team that loves music and is loved by music," revealing that the group is deeply engaged in creating new material.

Year Five: The Stadium Milestone

2026 marks BE:FIRST's fifth anniversary since debut. Their 2025 achievements speak volumes: the hit single "Muchu" (meaning "captivated") surpassed 100 million streams on Billboard Japan charts, and the group appeared at the prestigious NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (Japan's biggest year-end music show, comparable to performing at the Super Bowl halftime show in cultural significance) for the fourth consecutive year. They also received the Outstanding Work Award at the Japan Record Awards for the fourth straight time.

The next milestone arrives on May 16-17, 2026: their first-ever stadium concert, "BE:FIRST Stadium Live 2026 We are the 'BE:ST'" at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo. Moving from domes to a stadium, Japan's largest concert venues, as a newly restructured six-member group represents both a bold statement and a testament to their growing momentum.

What BE:FIRST gained from the world tour extends beyond musical experience. They found confirmation that their performances can transcend language and cultural barriers, and they forged an unbreakable bond as a team capable of overcoming any obstacle. How far this Japanese boy group will go, from Asia to the world, remains an unfolding story, and it's only just beginning.

In Japan, the narrative of an audition-born group pursuing a global dream has captivated audiences. How are boy groups or dance-vocal acts from your country received when they aim for international success? We'd love to hear your perspective!

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