SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – JANUARY 23: Girl group BlackPink performs on stage during the 8th Gaon Chart … [+]
Blackpink rules the Billboard 200 albums chart this week for the first time ever, as their sophomore full-length Born Pink opens atop the competitive ranking with more than 100,000 equivalent units shifted, many of which are pure sales. As the CD performs incredibly well, a number of the tracks featured on the set also invade the World Digital Song Sales chart, a tally the quartet has come to know intimately throughout the years.
“Shut Down,” the second official single from Born Pink, debuts at No. 1 on this week’s World Digital Song Sales chart, despite facing tough competition. The track wasn’t released ahead of the CD dropping, so fans rushed to buy and stream the tune once it was available. As “Shut Down” opens at No. 1, Blackpink scores their ninth leader on the World Digital Song Sales chart and second of 2022. A little more than a month ago, the band previewed the then-upcoming Born Pink with lead single “Pink Venom,” which also quickly appeared at No. 1 on the tally, which focuses on artists and music from around the globe.
In addition to “Shut Down” and “Pink Venom,” Blackpink has also risen to the World Digital Song Sales chart’s throne with “As If It’s Your Last,” “Boombaya,” “Ddu-du Ddu-du,” “How You Like That,” “Kill This Love,” “Lovesick Girls,” and “Playing With Fire.” It appears that Blackpink is in second place among all South Korean musical acts when looking at how many No. 1 smashes each figure has managed. BTS leads the charge with 32 champions.
As if landing another No. 1 smash wasn’t impressive enough, two other tracks featured on Born Pink also debut on the World Digital Song Sales chart this week. “Ready For Love” and “Yeah Yeah Yeah” start off one right after the other, opening at Nos. 8 and 9, respectively.
Including “Shut Down,” “Ready For Love” and “Yeah Yeah Yeah,” Blackpink has now sent a total of 19 different tracks into the top 10 on the World Digital Song Sales list. That is certainly an impressive sum, and it likely makes them one of the most successful names in the history of the ranking, especially when comparing South Korean bands and soloists.
Joining Blackpink on the World Digital Song Sales chart with new entries this week are fellow K-pop giants J-Hope of BTS and his collaborator Crush (“Rush Hour,” No. 2), NCT 127 (“2 Baddies,” No. 11), and Stray Kids (“Heyday,” No. 13).