By: Elle Grant
K-Pop titans, BTS, have achieved a new milestone with their summer hit “Dynamite.” Released August 21st, the South Korean group’s first single entirely in English debuted in the number one slot of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. The group’s previously highest charting hit was “ON” which debuted at No. 4 this past March. It is the first song in 57 years to earn an Asian act the #1 spot, and their first time in history an Asian act has debuted at #1.
“Dynamite” continues to rack in accomplishments, having already racked in the biggest digital sales week in the music industry since 2017 and having smashed YouTube’s record of views on a music video in 24 hours with a cool 101.1 million. The hit is a retro inspired, upbeat pop hit, featuring seventies inspired décor and style in its music video.
BTS is comprised of seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook and debuted seven years ago in their home country of South Korea. Though the group already boasts four number one albums on the Billboard 200 chart, their humble beginnings and time as an underdog in their own country has made this accomplishment that much sweeter to their group and their unflinchingly loyal fanbase, called ARMY. The members admitted the accomplishment brought tears to their eyes, especially when thinking back on their long road to the top.
Though, “Dynamite” is a song in English, the group has repeatedly emphasized that they will continue to focus their music in the Korean language for as long as they are active. The group is credited with helping to popularize K-Pop in the West, paving the way for other enormously popular groups such as Blackpink, NCT, Super M, Stray Kids, and ATEEZ. K-Pop, alongside Spanish music, has been credited with diversifying the American focused music charts. While BTS has undoubtedly faced their share of xenophobia, the success of BTS and “Dynamite” reflect the increasing inclusivity of the music industry.
The group is hot off their performance of their single on Sunday’s VMAs where they claimed three prizes. BTS is currently working on their eighth album, to be released before the end of 2020.
