Jimin Makes History as the First South Korean Solo Artist to Top US Songs Chart

Jimin Breaks Records as First South Korean Solo Artist to Top US Songs Chart
South Korean K-pop superstar and BTS member Jimin has made history by becoming the first South Korean solo artist to debut at No. 1 on the top US Songs chart. Billboard announced on Monday that Jimin’s first solo single, “Like Crazy,” has debuted at the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 chart, knocking Miley Cyrus’s hit song “Flowers” off the top spot after an eight-week reign.
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According to Billboard, “Like Crazy” is the 66th track to debut at the peak of the Hot 100 chart since its inception in 1958, which combines all-genre US streaming, radio play, and sales data. Jimin’s solo album “Face” also made history by hitting Billboard’s main albums chart at No. 2, becoming the highest-charting album by a South Korean solo musician, and beating fellow BTS member RM’s “Indigo,” which reached No. 3 in December, according to industry outlets.
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BTS is South Korea’s biggest-ever cultural phenomenon, with the group selling out stadiums around the world and dominating the charts, raking in billions for the country’s economy, and building a global legion of fans known as ARMYs. However, the K-pop juggernaut announced a hiatus last year due to South Korea’s required military service. All able-bodied men in South Korea must serve at least 18 months in the military, and after a years-long debate about whether BTS deserved an exemption, Jin, the oldest member of the group, enlisted last year.
Before the hiatus, BTS had already bagged six No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 chart, and all seven members of the boyband have reached the top songs chart with solo tracks, according to Billboard. In comparison, South Korean rapper Psy’s global hit “Gangnam Style” peaked at No. 2 on the same chart in 2012.
In conclusion, Jimin’s historic achievement in debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is a significant milestone for South Korean solo artists and the K-pop industry, further solidifying the global influence and impact of Korean pop culture.