K-pop albums are making history on the U.S. Billboard charts, shaking up the global music market. The soundtrack album for the movie "K-pop Demon Hunters" ranked second on the Billboard 200 chart this week, achieving the remarkable feat of placing four songs in the top 10 of the Billboard singles chart "Hot 100." This is the first occurrence since the Hot 100 chart was launched in 1958.
According to U.S. public radio NPR on the 27th (local time), the top spot on the Billboard 200 remains with American country singer Morgan Wallen's album "I'm The Problem," holding steady for 12 consecutive weeks, but the music industry's focus is undoubtedly on the "K-pop Demon Hunters" soundtrack. With streaming numbers and box office trends continuing strong, along with the upcoming CD release, industry predictions suggest it is only a matter of time before it claims the No. 1 spot. In particular, the success of the "sing-along version" in theaters has rapidly expanded the fandom, becoming a driving force behind the chart resurgence.
This achievement surpasses records set by legendary albums like "Saturday Night Fever" and "Waiting to Exhale." Even then, while multiple hit songs emerged, there had never been a case of four songs simultaneously reaching the top 10. Unlike the past, when record companies strategically staggered single release dates, the power of fandom in the streaming age and the ability for global simultaneous consumption have led to unprecedented success for K-pop albums, according to analysis.
On the Hot 100 chart, the group HUNTR/X's "Golden" took the No. 1 spot, while rival group Saja Boys' "Your Idol" and "Soda Pop" ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Another track, "How It's Done," jumped from 14th to 10th, allowing the "K-pop Demon Hunters" OST to land four songs in the top 10. Additionally, three other songs have entered the top 25, raising the possibility of a fifth top 10 hit.
Pop star Conan Gray also achieved a personal best this week by debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart with his new album "Wishbone." His rise, starting from YouTube to becoming a global star, has become one of the two major talking points on this week's charts alongside the K-pop Demon Hunters phenomenon.
Existing hit albums by Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift have also drawn renewed attention. Eilish marked the first anniversary of her album "Hit Me Hard and Soft" by releasing a limited edition LP, re-entering the chart at No. 6 from No. 24, while Swift's album "The Tortured Poets Department" rose to No. 10 from No. 18 due to the impact of her new release.
Experts evaluate the achievements of "K-pop Demon Hunters" as a phenomenon only possible in the streaming age. It is a record unimaginable during the past when charts were driven primarily by album sales and radio broadcasts, but now global fandoms are simultaneously consuming songs, dramatically changing the chart landscape.
In fact, last year, Taylor Swift had an astounding 14 songs on the Hot 100 from a single album. The current case of "K-pop Demon Hunters" is seen as an extension of that, with NPR noting that "K-pop has proven to be a cultural phenomenon leading global charts, no longer limited to a specific genre or region."