HALCALI, the Japanese hip-hop duo of HALCA and YUCALI, made their triumphant return to television on THE FIRST TAKE's 670th episode, marking their first media appearance since reuniting after 14 years apart.

The pair performed "Otsukaresummer," a track from their 2003 debut album "Halcaribacon." The song has experienced an unexpected global revival over the past year, becoming a viral sensation across TikTok, streaming services, and international markets including the US, UK, and Southeast Asia. The numbers speak for themselves: 7 billion TikTok views and 150 million total streams.

HALCA and YUCALI originally met as elementary school classmates at a Tokyo dance academy and went pro after winning an audition in 2003. Their debut single "Tandem" kicked off their career, followed by "Halcaribacon," which became an unusual commercial success for a new hip-hop unit at the time. The group released several albums throughout the 2000s, including "Ongaku no Susume" and "Cyborg Ore-tachi," while building a dedicated following across America and Europe.

The unexpected resurgence of "Otsukaresummer" triggered a cascade of releases: previously unreleased tracks arrived on streaming platforms, music videos were restored online, and "Halcaribacon" was reissued on both CD and vinyl. This momentum led to their THE FIRST TAKE appearance.

In a statement, HALCALI reflected on reaching new audiences: "There are probably a lot of people meeting us for the first time. Some of you might have been born after we were active. We're grateful that through THE FIRST TAKE, we can deliver 'Otsukaresummer' to people who discovered the song without knowing HALCALI. We hope you'll listen multiple times and enjoy it."

The performance caps off a year of unexpected second chances for the duo, proving that great music can find its moment regardless of when it was made.