=LOVE Shines Bright on “CDTV Live! Live!” Christmas Special
Japanese idol group =LOVE, produced by Rino Sashihara, brought a dazzling performance to the TBS program “CDTV Live! Live! Christmas Annual Ranking Fes.” The group delivered a special medley featuring their viral hit “Tokubetsu Shite” and the rapidly gaining popularity new track “Love Song ni Osowareru.”
“Tokubetsu Shite” has been a phenomenal success, recently surpassing 100 million streams—a first for =LOVE. The song’s second verse ignited a TikTok craze around April, leading to over 600,000 user-generated videos and a staggering 2 billion total views on the platform. This explosive virality has kept the song in the spotlight for over a year since its release.
Following in its footsteps, “Love Song ni Osowareru,” their 19th single released in October, is also seeing a rapid ascent, having already accumulated over 38 million streams. For their “CDTV Live! Live!” appearance, the group donned special Christmas-themed outfits, reimagining the costumes from the “Tokubetsu Shite” music video. This festive touch sparked significant buzz across social media, with fans expressing their delight at the unique presentation.
A Year of Milestones and Anticipated Performances
=LOVE’s momentum continues into the end of 2025. The group is slated to perform “Tokubetsu Shite” at “The 67th Japan Record Awards” on December 30th (Tuesday) on TBS. This performance holds special significance as their producer, Rino Sashihara, received the Lyricist Award for the song.
Looking ahead, the finale of the “=LOVE 8th ANNIVERSARY PREMIUM TOUR,” which kicked off in Hiroshima in September, is scheduled for April 2026 at the Yokohama Stadium in Kanagawa Prefecture. This will be the largest venue the group has ever headlined, marking another significant milestone in their career.
The Journey of =LOVE: A Profile
=LOVE (pronounced ‘Equal Love’) was founded on producer Rino Sashihara’s vision: “Idols must be loved by their fans, and they must also love the work of being an idol.” Since their major debut with the 1st single “=LOVE” in September 2017 through Sony Music, the group has consistently achieved top-tier success.
All 19 of their singles have reached the Top 10 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, with six singles, including “Tokubetsu Shite” and “Love Song ni Osowareru,” debuting at number one. Their first album, “Zenbu, Naisho.,” also topped the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking upon its release in May 2021. Their “=LOVE ARENA TOUR 2025 ~Timeless Tales~,” which began in February 2025, mobilized approximately 115,000 attendees across 12 performances in 6 venues, showcasing their immense popularity.
Stay Connected with =LOVE
For more information on =LOVE’s music and activities, visit the links below:
As 2025 draws to a close, =LOVE’s journey has been marked by significant achievements, from viral hits to major award nominations and sold-out tours. With a grand finale at Yokohama Stadium on the horizon, the group is set to continue its ascent, captivating audiences with their heartfelt performances and the enduring spirit of kawaii idol culture on a global stage.
