Sparkling Blue

In January 2024, Pledis Entertainment proceeded with their plans to launch TWS, the entertainment label's first boy group in nine years, since Seventeen's debut in 2015.^[2] The music video for the song "Oh Mymy: 7s" served as the first preview for TWS' EP a few days before its official release.^[2] Several teasers and activities, including a highlight medley,^[3] a product endorsement deal with Lotte Chilsung's Milkis,^[4] and cover features on Japanese magazines Ray and ViVi,^[5] were also revealed to promote and build anticipation for TWS' first EP.

On January 22, 2024, Sparkling Blue, a five-track EP that embodied the sound of "boyhood pop", was released alongside the music video for its lead single "Plot Twist".^[6]

Writing for Osen, Kyung Jimin commented that the EP was "impressive", remarking on its natural and friendly musical tone and likening it to "a conversation with friends during break time".^[7] IZM's Han Seonghyeon scored Sparkling Blue three out of five stars, commenting that although the quality of the EP was decent, its title track "Plot Twist" overshadowed the rest of its tracks due to the album prioritizing achieving a "consistent mood" as a goal.^[8]

Sparkling Blue debuted at number one on the South Korean Circle Album Chart, where it sold 237,606 copies in its first week.^[9] The EP also debuted at number three on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart and number four on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart.^[10][11] In the United States, Sparkling Blue opened at number eight on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 32 on the Top Album Sales chart.^[12][13]