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K-pop glossary

Japan Debut

The release or event an artist who debuted in Korea presents as its debut in Japan.

Category: Japan

Also known as: irude / Japanese debut

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Meaning

A Japan debut is the release, or the event, that an artist who already debuted in Korea presents as its debut in Japan. TWS announced on its Japanese official site that it would debut in Japan on July 2, 2025, with the Japan 1st Single "Hajimemashite". aespa debuted in Korea with the single "Black Mamba" in November 2020 and made its Japan debut on July 3, 2024, with the Japan 1st single "Hot Mess". aespa had already held arena tours and dome concerts in Japan before that, so a Japan debut date is not necessarily when an artist started working in Japan. Japanese fans also call it "irude", short for the Korean ilbon debwi, and use "irukatsu" for releasing songs and promoting in Japan. Because it falls on a different date from the Korean debut, say which debut you mean.

Usage

Used for the debut release in Japan or its launch, e.g. "Japan debut confirmed". Keep it apart from the Korean debut date.

Examples

  • TWS — TWS made its Japan debut on July 2, 2025, with the Japan 1st Single "Hajimemashite".
  • Hot Mess — aespa debuted in Korea in November 2020 and in Japan on July 3, 2024, with the Japan 1st single "Hot Mess". It had already held arena tours and dome concerts in Japan before that.

In context

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