Like a lot of international fans, my first real encounter with Snow Man came through the hit Saturday morning BL dramedy, 『消えた初恋』 (English title: My Love Mix-Up!). By the time I discovered them, the group had already entered their sophomore era. The explosive chaos of ｢D.D.｣ and the pastel-painted romance of ｢HELLO HELLO｣ had already become part of the group’s musical mythology, polished into multi-platinum success by a fanbase that moved with the force of an avalanche.

But my introduction was softer, more delicate. More… intimate than the bombastic image the group had initially built its reputation around. My introduction was 『Secret Touch』.

『消えた初恋』 starred group member Ren Meguro alongside Naniwa Danshi’s Shunsuke Michieda (Mitchy), whose debut single ｢初心LOVE｣ also served as one of the series’ theme songs. Based on the manga by Wataru Hinekure and Aruko, it became one of the sweetest and most unexpectedly charming coming-of-age romances of the Reiwa era.

The story follows the chaotic misunderstanding that erupts when timid high school student Aoki (Michieda) discovers that his crush, Hashimoto (Riko Fukumoto), has feelings for the stoically handsome Ida (Meguro). After Ida mistakenly believes Aoki is confessing to him, the two slowly grow closer through a series of awkward, heartfelt, and surprisingly tender interactions, cementing the drama as one of the breakout BL hits of 2021 while introducing many international viewers to two rapidly rising young idols.

In addition to the lead track, 『Secret Touch』 also featured ｢僕の彼女になってよ。｣ (English: Be My Girlfriend) as the first follow-up to ｢君の彼氏になりたい｡｣, which was originally released on the group’s second single, 『KISSIN’ MY LIPS / Stories』. Its gentle melody and emotionally direct lyrics perfectly complemented the romantic atmosphere of the release as a whole, further leaning into the warmth and vulnerability that defined the era.

Serving as Snow Man’s first official holiday song, ｢Christmas wishes｣ wrapped the group’s signature warmth and emotional sincerity in glittering winter production. The song further highlighted the group’s growing confidence in slower, sentiment-driven material while giving fans a cozy winter anthem to return to long after the decorations have been taken down.

The original physical release of『Secret Touch』came in three different formats: 

Edition A (with DVD)
💿｢Secret Touch｣
💿 ｢僕の彼女になってよ。｣
📼 ｢Secret Touch｣ (Music Video)
📼 ｢僕の彼女になってよ。｣ (Lip-sync Music Video)
📼 ｢僕の彼女になってよ。｣ (Solo Lip-sync Music Video)
📼 Behind the Scenes.


The first-press edition also came with a sticker sheet (A4), and a serial number for exclusive video A.

Edition B (with DVD)
💿｢Secret Touch｣
💿 ｢Christmas Wishes｣
📼 ｢Secret Touch｣ (Multi Angle Video)
📼 Suiri Talking Battle Secret Snow Man

The First-Press edition also came with an eraser and a serial number for exclusive video B.

Regular (CD Only) Edition
💿｢Secret Touch｣
💿 ｢僕の彼女になってよ。｣ (English: Be My Girlfriend)
💿 ｢Christmas wishes｣
💿 ｢My Sweet Girl｣
💿 ｢Secret Touch｣ (Original Karaoke)
💿 ｢僕の彼女になってよ。｣ (Original Karaoke)
💿 ｢Christmas wishes｣ (Original Karaoke)
💿 ｢My Sweet Girl｣ (Original Karaoke)

The first-press edition included a sleeve, photo book, Christmas Card and a serial number for exclusive video C.

Debuting at number one on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, 『Secret Touch』 continued to showcase Snow Man’s unstoppable momentum, selling more than 730,000 physical copies in its first week alone. Critically, the single was praised for revealing a gentler and more emotionally vulnerable side of the group, with many fans and critics highlighting the single’s delicate atmosphere as a refreshing counterbalance to the explosive energy that defined many of the group’s earlier releases.

As my introduction to the wonderful world of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, 『消えた初恋』will always have a special place in my heart and has become an annual holiday rewatch. It’s a beautiful series.

There will be more Snow Man soon so…

Stay Tuned!