The BTS smash hit "Butter" on July 12 set a milestone by topping Billboard's main singles chart Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. (Screen capture from Billboard's homepage)

By Min Yea-Ji and Lee Jihae

K-pop sensation BTS has set a milestone on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart with its smash hit "Butter" staying at No. 1 for seven weeks in a row.

Billboard of the U.S. on July 12 said "Butter" has remained at the top of the chart since its debut on May 21.

Of the 54 songs landing at No. 1 on their first week on the Hot 100, "Butter" is the eighth to maintain the top spot for seven or more straight weeks. BTS is also just the second group to achieve this feat following Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, whose 1995 song "One Sweet Day" topped the chart for 16 consecutive weeks.

BTS posted on its official Twitter account, "We can't believe this is really happening to us," adding, "Thank you so much." 

Yet attention is now diverted to the group's newest song, with rising speculation over where "Permission to Dance" will land on next week's Hot 100. The song was released on July 9 and anticipation is brewing over whether it usurps "Butter" for the top spot or if the latter spends an eighth week at No. 1. 

Billboard of the U.S. on July 12 said BTS' "Butter" retained the top spot on the Hot 100 singles chart for the seventh straight week. (Screen capture from Billboard's Twitter account)