BDZ (an abbreviation for "bulldozer") is the debut Japanese studio album (second overall) by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released on September 12, 2018, by Warner Music Japan. The album contains five previously released songs and five new ones, including the title track of the same name produced by Park Jin-young. The title "symbolizes the members' wish to be tough and live strong".
A repackaged edition with one additional song was released on December 26, 2018.
Contents
Background and release
On June 3, 2018, at Twice 2nd Tour: Twiceland Zone 2 – Fantasy Park in Osaka, it was announced that Twice would release their first Japanese album in the autumn. The title track "BDZ" was pre-released as a digital single on August 17, along with the accompanying music video. The full album was released on September 12, along with a "document video" of "Be as One" featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Twice's first year in Japan.
A repackage was released on December 26, 2018, containing "Stay by My Side", the theme song of the Japanese television drama Shinya no Dame Koi Zukan. "Stay by My Side" was released as a digital single on October 22 along with a "making" music video showing Twice recording the song.
Promotion
"BDZ" was first performed on Music Station on August 31, 2018, and it was performed on the opening stage of Tokyo Girls Collection the next day. All songs from the album were performed during Twice 1st Arena Tour 2018 "BDZ", which began on September 29 in Chiba.
Commercial performance
BDZ debuted at number 1 on the daily ranking of the Oricon Albums Chart with 89,721 units sold, setting a record for the highest first day sales of albums released by K-pop girl groups in Japan. It also topped the weekly ranking with 181,069 units sold, making Twice the fifth foreign female artist in Oricon history to top both the weekly singles and albums chart, after The Nolans, BoA, Kara, and Girls' Generation. On the Oricon Digital Album Chart, it debuted at number 1 with 3,103 downloads.
The album topped the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart, selling 181,605 copies and 3,239 downloads from September 10–16, 2018. On September 15, it was reported that it sold more than 292,300 copies in pre-orders. It was certified Platinum by the RIAJ on October 11 – Twice's fifth consecutive platinum certification.
Personnel
Credits adapted from CD album liner notes.
JYP Entertainment staff
Japanese recording staff
Design staff
Other personnel
Locations
Recording
JYPE Studios, Seoul, South Korea (all songs except "Wishing")
U Production Studio, Seoul, South Korea ("Wishing")
Mixing
Mirrorball Studios, North Hollywood, California ("BDZ", "One More Time", "Candy Pop", "Wake Me Up")
I to I Communications, Tokyo, Japan ("L.O.V.E", "Wishing", "Brand New Girl", "I Want You Back")
MusicLab Busan Studios, Busan, South Korea ("Say it Again")
WSound, Seoul, South Korea ("Be as One")
Mastering
Sterling Sound, New York City, New York