Global girl group KATSEYE made new history by topping the U.S. Billboard main album chart with their third EP "WILD."
On Aug. 23 (local time), according to the latest chart preview released by Billboard in the U.S., KATSEYE's third mini album "WILD" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (dated Aug. 29). "WILD," released on Aug. 14, recorded a total of 170,000 album units in the U.S. during the tracking week (Aug. 14–20).
Billboard reported that "of the 170,000 first-week units for 'WILD,' pure album sales were 145,000, streaming equivalent albums (SEA) were 24,500 and track equivalent albums (TEA) were about 500," noting that "since the Billboard 200 switched to album-equivalent units in December 2015, this is the biggest weekly total for a female group," proving their dominant standing.
This No. 1 on the Billboard 200 is a feat achieved about two years after their debut and proves that HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk's "K-pop methodology" and HYBE's "multi-home, multi-genre" strategy have fully borne fruit in the world's largest pop market. It is a representative case that shows that beyond the traditional "K-pop export" method of sending Korean artists abroad, localizing K-pop planning, training and production systems can produce global pop stars.
KATSEYE's growth is striking in numbers as well. They previously placed five songs — "Gnarly," "Gabriela," "Internet Girl," "PINKY UP" and "Animal" — on the Billboard Hot 100, and the pre-release single "Animal" from the new album also set a personal best by reaching No. 24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 12 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart.
Explosive reactions have continued on European charts as well. The album "WILD" reached No. 1 on the main album charts in the Netherlands and Belgium, No. 2 in the U.K. and France, No. 3 in Ireland and No. 4 in Germany, ranking at the top in major countries. Monthly listeners on Spotify also surpassed 38.28 million, marking a record high.
KATSEYE, which has been exerting powerful influence across popular culture, including a nomination at the 68th Grammy Awards and winning three awards at the 2026 American Music Awards, is set to continue its box-office momentum by launching the THE WILDWORLD TOUR, beginning in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 1 and sweeping through major cities in Europe and North America.
[Photo] Provided by HYBE–Geffen Records
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