BIGHIT MUSIC
K-pop continues its unprecedented surge in the United States as nine out of the ten best-selling music CDs in the first half of 2023 belong to K-pop acts. According to Luminate's 2023 Midyear Music Report, Tomorrow X Together's Korean album, "The Name Chapter: Temptation," secured the top spot, with an impressive 395,000 units sold, solidifying K-pop's domination in the American music scene.
Luminate, renowned for providing music-related data to Billboard, unveiled a top 10 list that was overwhelmingly dominated by K-pop acts. Stray Kids' third full-length album, "5-STAR," followed closely behind at second place, boasting 322,000 units sold. Notably, K-pop powerhouses Twice, Seventeen, and Agust D (Suga from BTS) also secured prominent spots in the rankings.
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| ▲ JYP ENTERTAINMENT |
The only non-K-pop act to make the cut was American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, whose recent album "Midnights" sold 176,000 units, landing her at the No. 6 position. Nevertheless, the overwhelming presence of K-pop artists demonstrated the genre's growing popularity and influence in the U.S. market.
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| ▲ PLEDIS ENTERTAINMENT |
Among the standout performers, boy bands Ateez and Enhypen, along with BTS's Jimin, also earned spots on the prestigious chart, showcasing the diversity and appeal of K-pop across different groups and individuals.
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| ▲ JYP ENTERTAINMENT |
Impressively, five out of the nine K-pop albums featured on the chart were attributed to artists and groups under HYBE and its subsidiaries, including Suga and Jimin from BTS, Tomorrow X Together, Seventeen, and Enhypen. On the other hand, three albums, two from Stray Kids and one from girl group Twice, hailed from JYP Entertainment, with Ateez representing KQ Entertainment.
The report by the Korea Customs Service further confirmed K-pop's soaring success, with the United States becoming the second-largest importer of K-pop albums in the first half of 2023. Previously, Japan held the top position, while China, which had maintained the No. 2 spot for over a decade, now ranks one position lower.
With K-pop's continued dominance on the charts and an ever-growing international fan base, the genre's global influence and cultural impact are undoubtedly at an all-time high, reshaping the music industry and captivating audiences worldwide.
Sayart.net
Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com
