Billboard’s World Albums chart for the week of December 28 demonstrates just how far-reaching the K-pop impact is, as Stray Kids takes over the top rankings. The latest release by the group, SKZHOP HIPTAPE 合 (HOP), broke in at No. 1, a significant benchmark for the group. As if that weren’t enough, the group’s previous mini album, ATE, remained at No. 7 with ease, proving its longevity after 22 weeks on the list. Additionally, Stray Kids topped six other Billboard charts, including Artist 100, Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales, and World Digital Song Sales, demonstrating their continued success. This is a feat for the group and its devoted fanbase.
BTS’s Jimin broke through with his solo album Muse, which stayed at No. 2 on the World Albums chart for the 22nd week. In addition to remaining on the World Albums chart, the album also peaked at No. 136 on the Billboard 200 chart, demonstrating its enduring global appeal. Jimin’s achievements serve as a wonderful reminder that the BTS brothers will always be regarded as individual performers. However, ENHYPEN’s album ROMANCE: UNTOLD held out well, peaking at No. 3 for the 23rd week. The album was also a charting group for 17 weeks on the Billboard 200, making it solidify the group’s first chart in their global spread.
K-pop releases took the spotlight in other positions on the chart. ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR: Part 2 became No. 5 on World Albums, as the said album stays in its fifth week charting in the World Albums chart. TXT’s The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY retains the 8th rung; the group stays while the rest of the world follows. Jin from BTS also marked his appearance at No. 9 coming in the fifth week of Happy – his solo album. Of course, this further cements the influence of a BTS member as he now dominates in both group and solo activity.
BTS‘s anthology album Proof held steady on the charts, spending its 132nd week at the top of the charts. This is undoubtedly a noteworthy accomplishment; BTS continues to dominate the global music charts, and Proof continues to be a cornerstone of the K-pop craze. That, though Proof is in its consecutive streak of continued success with debut and steady success in various albums by artists such as Stray Kids, Jimin, ENHYPEN, ATEEZ, TXT, and Jin; a feat that not only confirms K-pop global domination, but this feature about Billboard’s World Albums chart strength shows the strengths of a fanship and how deep K-pop already embeds into mainstream influence.
