By Wu Jinhua
Video = BTS' official YouTube video

"Seven," the first official solo release by Jungkook, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, has topped the U.S. Billboard's main singles chart, the "Hot 100." 

The milestone marks the second time a BTS member's single has topped the Hot 100 after Jimin's "Like Crazy."

On July 24, Billboard announced that "Seven," released on July 14, topped the Hot 100 on July 20.

"Seven" thus became the 68th song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 since the chart began in 1958.

BTS is the only K-pop act to top the Hot 100 -- apart from Jungkook and Jimin's solo singles.

The following six songs of BTS have topped the Hot 100: "Dynamite," the remix version of "Savage Love," "Life Goes On," "Butter," "Permission to Dance" and "My Universe."

Billboard said BTS is the ninth group to top the Hot 100 with the group's six songs and the single releases of its two individual members, after groups such as The Beatles, Black Eyed Peas, Destiny's Child and Genesis.

Billboard's Hot 100 is based on the combination of U.S. streaming data, radio airplay audience impressions and sales data.

"Seven" recorded 21.9 million streams, 6.4 million radio airplay audience impressions and 153,000 song downloads and CD singles combined from July 14-20 -- the period when rankings are computed.

Jungkook commented, "Let's go further up" on Weverse, his fan community platform, after the Billboard rankings were released.


jane0614@korea.kr