"Permission to Dance," the third English-language track by BTS, on July 19 topped the U.S. Billboard main singles chart Hot 100, ending the seven-week reign of the group's smash "Butter." (Screen capture from Billboard's YouTube page)

By Kim Minji

The latest hit by BTS, "Permission to Dance," has debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard main singles chart Hot 100, receiving the baton from "Butter."

Billboard on July 19 said "Permission," the group's third English-language track, ended the seven-week reign of "Butter," which finished at No. 7 in the latest rankings.  

BTS is thus the first act to score consecutive No. 1s on the chart since Drake in July 2018. 

Billboard said "Permission" attracted 15.9 million U.S. streams, 1.1 million radio airplay audience impressions and 140,100 download sales in the week ending July 15.

The hit is the group's fifth to top the chart following "Dynamite," "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)," "Life Goes On" and "Butter."

Four of the five tracks -- "Dynamite," "Life Goes On," "Butter" and "Permission to Dance" -- debuted at No. 1, making BTS the fourth act to achieve the feat following Ariana Grande (five), Justin Bieber (four) and Drake (four). 

Billboard said BTS scored its five No. 1s over 10 months and two weeks, adding, "That's the quickest accumulation of five leaders (No. 1s) since Michael Jackson tallied five, all from his album 'Bad,' over nine months and two weeks in 1987-88."  

The group tweeted, "#BTS_Butter handed the baton to #PermissiontoDance. Two songs debuting at number 1! Thank you." 

kimmj7725@korea.kr