Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.)[A] is the third Japanese-language extended play (12th overall) by South Korean boy band Stray Kids. It was released on September 6, 2023, through Epic Records Japan. It has been marketed as the group's "Japan first EP", despite having two previous (All In (2020), and Circus (2022)), which were officially classified as "mini-album".
On June 26, 2023, the group announced their first Japanese-language extended play, set to be released on September 6. Pre-orders began on the same day, coming in four editions–limited A and B, regular, and eight different-cover fanclub editions.[2] On July 27, Stray Kids revealed the EP title Social Path (Feat. Lisa) / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.), alongside the track listing, confirmed double lead single "Social Path", featuring Japanese singer-songwriter Lisa, and the Japanese version of "Super Bowl", originally from the group's third studio album 5-Star.[3] The cover artworks for all editions were unveiled on July 31.[4] The Japanese version of "Super Bowl" was released on August 10,[5] while "Social Path" came on the 30th, both alongside its accompanying music video.[6]
The first track "Social Path", featuring Lisa, is a rock number, expressing both artists' experiences in a music career and strong belief and determination.[7] "Super Bowl" compares Stray Kids' music to cooking.[8] It is driven by a techno sound,[9] and includes whispering in a manner similar to ASMR.[10] "Butterflies" is a combination of bossa nova, hip hop, and a piano melody.[11]
In support of Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.), Stray Kids embarked on their 5-Star Dome Tour in Japan and South Korea. It was started on August 16 at PayPay Dome, Fukuoka, and set to conclude on October 29 at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo.[12] At the tour, the group gave the debut performances of both "Super Bowl" and "Social Path".[13] The group appeared on the cover and gave an interview for Harper's Bazaar Japan.[14][15][16] and 25ans in July.[17] To commemorate the release, the group held a live event to introduce the EP.[18] Stray Kids, including Lisa, appeared on the television special Venue 101 Presents Stray Kids 5-Star Live on September 23,[19] to perform "Social Path", "S-Class", "Case 143" (Japanese version), "Back Door", and "Thunderous".[20]
On the flying get day, September 5, Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.) sold 556,425 copies, according to SoundScan Japan,[22] and 333,433 copies for Oricon.[23] The EP debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart and the Combined Albums Chart, the second number one album in Japan after The Sound (2023). With 506,000 copies, the EP became the group's biggest sales in first week, surpassing 378,000 copies of the previous release.[24][25] It topped the both charts for two consecutive weeks with 72,000 copies on its second week, total 578,000 copies.[26][27]
For Billboard Japan, Social Path / Super Bowl (Japanese Ver.) entered the Hot Albums chart at number one, earning 737,965 CD copies and 749 digital sales.[28] It continually peaked at number one in the second week, selling 198,130 copies.[29] The EP became the third best-selling album on the 2023 year-end Billboard Japan Hot Albums with 1,089,952 copies.[30] On September 29, Sony Music Labels reported that the album surpasses one million shipments,[31] which later received million certification from Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) on October 10,[32] the fastest Korean boy group to reach million shipments since their debut in Japan.[33]
^"Stray Kids(ストレイキッズ)日本1st EPのジャケット写真公開! リアル特典会も開催決定" [Stray Kids Japan 1st EP Jacket Photo Unveiled! A Real Privilege Party Will Also Be Held]. The First Times (in Japanese). July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、初の日本・韓国5大ドームツアー開催決定" [Stray Kids to Hold 5 Major Dome Tour in Japan and Korea for the First Time]. Modelpress (in Japanese). June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、"応募総数250万件超" 初の4大ドームツアー開幕 未解禁のLiSAとのコラボ曲初披露" [Stray Kids, "Over 2.5 Million Applications" First 4 Major Dome Tour Kicks Off Unreleased Collaboration Song with LiSA for the First Time]. Oricon (in Japanese). August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、ファッション誌「ハーパーズ バザー」増刊特別版のカバーに登場!" [Stray Kids appear on the Cover of the Special Edition of the Fashion Magazine "Harper's Bazaar"!]. Kstyle (in Japanese). July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
^Hakata, Nobuko (July 21, 2023). "Stray Kids(ストレイキッズ)来日インタビュー! 「僕だけが知っているメンバーの隠れた素顔」" [Interview with Stray Kids in Japan! "The Hidden Faces of the Members That Only I Know"]. 25ans (in Japanese). Retrieved July 27, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、日本で叶えたい夢はプリン作り!? NHK「Venue101」のスピンオフ特番に登場" [Stray Kids' Dream of Making Pudding in Japan!? Appeared on NHK's "Venue 101" Spin-off Special Program]. Kstyle (in Japanese). September 24, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
^Lee, Myung-joo (September 7, 2023). "스트레이 키즈, 오리콘 최정상...'소셜 패스', 日 앨범 랭킹 1위" [Stray Kids, Tops Oricon… 'Social Path', Japanese Album Ranking Number 1]. Dispatch (in Korean). Retrieved September 8, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、自己最高初週売上でアルバム1位【オリコンランキング】" [Stray Kids Ranked Number One for Album Sales with Their Highest First Week Sales [Oricon Ranking]]. Oricon (in Japanese). September 12, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、自身初週間50万ポイント超えで通算2作目の合算アルバム1位【オリコンランキング】" [Stray Kids Surpassed 500,000 Points in the First Week, Ranking at Number One in the Combined Album Chart with Their Second Album [Oricon Ranking]]. Oricon (in Japanese). September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、自身初の2週連続のアルバム1位【オリコンランキング】" [Stray Kids, Their First Album to Charted No. 1 for Two Consecutive Weeks [Oricon Ranking]]. Oricon (in Japanese). September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
^"Stray Kids、2週連続の合算アルバム1位【オリコンランキング】" [Stray Kids, Combined Album No. 1 for 2 Consecutive Weeks [Oricon Ranking]]. Oricon (in Japanese). September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
