SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 31: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (SOUTH KOREA OUT) In this handout image ... [+]
Last week, South Korean girl group Aespa scored their second-ever placement on the Billboard Global 200, Billboard’s weekly look at the 200 most popular songs in the world based on streaming and sales data. The quartet’s latest release “Next Level” opened at No. 97, bringing them to the upper half of the tally for the first time. Simply by reaching the list with a second tune, the band made history in a number of ways, and they now stand out as one of the most successful vocal acts from their home country on that one very important and very competitive tally.
Here’s a look at three ways Aespa made history last week on the Billboard Global 200 chart.
Third South Korean Girl Group To Chart More Than Once
Aespa is one of just three girl groups hailing from South Korea to reach the Billboard Global 200 more than once, and they’re tied for the second-most wins on the tally among all-female vocal bands, though the threshold for ranking that high is still pretty low.
Blackpink leads the way among all South Korean girl groups on the Billboard Global 200, as they have now sent 10 tunes to the tally in less than a year. Tied with Aespa with just two appearances on the roster is ITZY, who scored their second hit just a few weeks ago.
Fourth South Korean Group To Chart More Than Once
Looking at all groups (including those made up of men as well as women), the number of bands from South Korea that have hit the Billboard Global 200 more than once expands slightly. In addition to Blackpink, ITZY and Aespa, only BTS have also reached the tally several times. Last week, when “Next Level” hit the roster, BTS were tied with Blackpink for the most wins among names from the Asian country, with 10 each, but now that’s changed.
This frame, BTS’s new single “Butter” opens at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, giving them their eleventh appearance on the chart.
Fifth South Korean Musical Act To Chart More Than Once
When all South Korean musical acts are taken into account, there are five names that have placed on the Billboard Global 200 with more than one worldwide hit. With “Next Level,” Aespa joined BTS, Blackpink, ITZY and Rosé, who is also known as a member of Blackpink. The singer went solo for the first time earlier in 2021 with two tracks, and both managed to break into the top 40 on the tally.
