BTS Make Historic No. 1 Debut on Billboard Hot 100

Yara Sameh

K-Pop band BTS surged with their latest single “Dynamite,” to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts in the United States on Monday, becoming the first Korean pop act to debut at No. 1.

“Dynamite,” is the band's first all-English language single from the seven-member boy band.

The single notched 33.9 million U.S. streams and 300,000 sales in its first week, according to Nielsen Music data.

The band also scored the biggest digital sales week in nearly three years since Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” in September 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdZLi9oWNZg

The band took to Twitter to thank their fans, and to respond to a congratulatory statement from South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in, said the song was aimed at helping rejuvenate cities around the world.

“It’s a difficult time, but I hope our songs can give you a little comfort and positive energy,” the group said in a Korean language response on Twitter.

Moon tweeted on Twitter the group is writing a new chapter in K-pop history, and that the song was all the more meaningful as a message of comfort and hope to people around the world who are struggling with COVID-19.

South Korea’s President also noted that the song will bring huge consolation to Koreans suffering from the national crisis caused by COVID-19

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The Billboard Hot 100 singles chart combines U.S. streaming, radio airplay, and sales data.

BTS has spearheaded the K-Pop drive into the United States over the past three years with catchy, upbeat music.

In 2012, South Korean solo artist PSY reached No. 2 on Hot 100 best with his viral hit “Gangnam Style”.

BTS had previously broken into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the No. 4 spot with its March release “On,”, however, Monday marked the first time the band made their debut at No. 1.

The band performed on Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards show for the first time and won four trophies, including best group and best pop group.