On Thursday, Feb. 18, Billboard unveiled the top 5 albums on this week's World Albums Chart. Surprisingly, all top 5 spots are dominated by K-pop groups. Keep on reading to see which groups charted.
BTS Takes Up Three Spots
BTS has snagged up the three spots, sitting at number one, number three, and number four. Taking up the top spot is BTS's Nov. 2020 release, "BE." "BE" was made to show the thoughts and feelings of BTS amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is also meant to be spread hope and joy amid difficult times. The members of the boy group actively participated in the creative process of production, including songwriting, development, and more.
The title track of "BE," "Life Goes On," debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first Korean song to hit number one in the United States. "BE" debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, making it BTS's fifth number-one album in the United States. This made them the fastest group to earn five number-one albums since The Beatles.
Sitting at number three is "Map of the Soul: 7", released on Feb. 21, 2020. BTS themselves have stated that this album is "deeply personal" to them, as it talks about BTS's journey and growth they experienced during the seven years since their debut. It is the best-selling album in South Korea.
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"Map of the Soul: 7" debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, making it BTS's fourth number-one album in the United States. The album's title track, "ON," debuted and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Snagging the number four spot is "Love Yourself: Tear." This is the only album in the top 5 to not be released in 2020. "Love Yourself: Tear" was released on May 18, 2018. The album explores topics concerning the pains and hurt of separation. "Love Yourself: Tear" is the first Korean album to top the album's chart in the United States and was the highest-charting album by an Asian act at the time.
Like the other two albums mentioned, "Love Yourself: Tear" debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, making it BTS's first number-one album in the United States. The album's title track, "Fake Love," debuted and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
BLACKPINK Takes Second Place
BLACKPINK charted at number two on this week's World Albums Chart with their Oct. 2020 release "THE ALBUM." This is the girl group's first-ever full-length album and explores BLACKPINK's mature side, singing about love and growing up. BLACKPINK is the only girl group to chart within the top 5.
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"THE ALBUM" debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, making "THE ALBUM" the highest-charting K-pop girl group album. It is also the highest-charting album by an all-female act since 2008, following after Danity Kane's "Welcome to the Dollhouse." The title track of "THE ALBUM," "Lovesick Girls," debuted at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100.
NCT Clinches the Fifth Spot
NCT rounds up the top five with "NCT 2020 Resonance Pt.1", which was released on Oct. 12. The album features all current 21 members and 2 new debuted members. The album features songs from all the NCT sub-units, NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV. It is the first of two parts of the "Resonance" era.
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"NCT 2020 Resonance Pt. 1" peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200, making it NCT's highest-charting album in history. It topped the Billboard Independent Albums chart and the World Albums chart and charted at number 5 on the Top Heatseekers charts.
Did your favorite album chart in the TOP 5 of the World Albums chart?
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Written by Alexa Lewis
