Music has always carried a kind of quiet magic for me. It lifts my mood, fuels my writing, and offers an escape hatch when the world feels too loud. Since 2021, a large part of that soundtrack has come from J-pop, especially groups like Snow Man, who have just released their 7th digital single, ｢STARS｣, which also serves as a theme song for the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics.

A song about standing at the crossroads of a life-changing moment, the group urges listeners to believe in themselves. You never truly lose when you choose yourself. It celebrates the power of dreams, both personal and shared with friends and loved ones, encouraging everyone to shine as brightly as the stars overhead.

“The footprints that never lie / They’ve led you here / So now — step forward.”

The message feels especially fitting for 2026. Taking risks and believing in yourself applies not only to the athletes competing on the world stage, but to Snow Man as well. It was announced late last year that velvet-voiced member Ren Meguro would step back from some group activities to take on his first major international role in the period drama Shōgun 2 on FX. He still appears on the track and in the music video, making this single feel like both a group anthem and a moment of transition.

The music video shows the group surprising several young athletes who embrace failure as part of the journey toward success. Even after they surprise the athletes. But they’re not just there to watch, they are there to offer their support and encouragement, reinforcing the song’s message of perseverance. While the video includes scenes of the members in the studio recording the track, the on-screen performance focus is left to the athletes.

Snow Man joins fellow STARTO acts SixTONES and solo artist Kento Nakajima, who have also released songs tied to the 2026 Games.

“Picture the moment your dream comes true / Believe it, you’ll be okay.”

Honestly, it’s a beautiful message. We only get one life, and everyone deserves the chance to reach for something bigger than fear.

There will be more music reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!

*Translation of lyrics has been paraphrased.