logo
'Demon Hunters' soundtrack climbs back to No. 2 on Billboard albums chart; TXT lands at No. 3

'Demon Hunters' soundtrack climbs back to No. 2 on Billboard albums chart; TXT lands at No. 3

Korea Herald17 hours ago
The soundtrack for Netflix's global hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has risen to No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, matching its previous peak position.
According to Billboard's preview released Sunday (US time), the album climbed one spot to second place in its sixth week of release.
Originally debuting at No. 8 in late June, the soundtrack steadily climbed the chart alongside the film's growing popularity -- rising to No. 3, then No. 2, before slipping to No. 5 and rebounding to No. 3 last week.
Produced by US-based Sony Pictures Animation, the Netflix original follows Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group battling evil spirits to protect the human world.
The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units, comprising physical sales, track-equivalent units and streaming-equivalent units.
During the latest tracking week, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack earned 93,000 equivalent album units, up 4 percent from the previous week.
"The Star Chapter: Together," the fourth full-length album from K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together, debuted at No. 3 this week.
It marks the group's seventh time it has cracked the top 10 of the chart.
The eight-track album garnered 65,000 equivalent album units, including 62,000 from physical album sales. (Yonhap)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Can aespa finally break into Billboard's Hot 100 with ‘Rich Man'?
Can aespa finally break into Billboard's Hot 100 with ‘Rich Man'?

Korea Herald

time12 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

Can aespa finally break into Billboard's Hot 100 with ‘Rich Man'?

Despite global popularity, the K-pop group has yet to crack Billboard's definitive singles chart Aespa, currently one of the top girl groups in South Korea, is set to release its sixth EP, 'Rich Man,' on Sept. 5 — with hopes that its title track will be aespa's first to break into the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the group's consistent success on other Billboard charts, aespa, surprisingly, has yet to appear on the Hot 100, the definitive barometer of a song's mainstream popularity and cultural impact in the US. While the Billboard 200 measures album performance and the Billboard Global 200 reflects global streaming and sales data, the Hot 100 specifically tracks song performance in the US based on streaming, radio airplay and sales — making it the most competitive of the three charts. The group's highest placements so far include No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with its second EP 'Girls' in 2022 and No. 5 on the Billboard Global 200 with its recent single, 'Dirty Work.' Even with American rapper Flo Milli featured on 'Dirty Work,' aespa was once again unable to enter the Hot 100. This persistent gap is particularly disappointing for SM Entertainment, the powerhouse behind aespa. The label is widely credited for pioneering K-pop's distinctive trainee system and for leading the genre's early global rise. Yet, no artist from SM has ever made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 — a benchmark already reached by artists from rival companies. JYP Entertainment, which first brought Wonder Girls to the Hot 100 in 2009, has since followed up with Stray Kids and Twice. Hybe has launched BTS, NewJeans, Le Sserafim and Illit onto the chart, while YG Entertainment has seen Psy, CL and Blackpink achieve the same feat. Even artists from smaller agencies like Fifty Fifty and Ateez have managed to break through. SM artists have historically focused on Asia as their main performing and promotional base, and no SM artist ever cracking the Hot 100 highlights the company's continued struggle to gain traction in the North American market. Aespa may be operating strategically. With just over two months between the release of 'Dirty Work' in late June and the upcoming drop of 'Rich Man,' the quick turnaround could reflect a calculated effort to maintain momentum and reengage the US market. On the other hand, aespa may be responding to the underperformance of 'Dirty Work,' especially when compared to last year's hits 'Supernova' and 'Whiplash.' According to SM Entertainment, the new EP will feature six tracks, including "Rich Man," which is said to showcase a musical style distinct from that of 'Dirty Work.' 'This album redefines what it means to be a 'Rich Man' — not in the conventional sense, but as someone brimming with unique energy and power,' the company said, Monday. 'As the slogan says, 'I am enough as I am. I am a Rich Man.' This release will further highlight aespa's individuality and evolving musical identity.'

We were all first-time daters once
We were all first-time daters once

Korea Herald

time12 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

We were all first-time daters once

Creators of Netflix's 'Better Late Than Single' discuss casting romance rookies, moments that went viral online Jae-yoon dived head-first into a pile of grass to avoid approaching women; Jung-mok confessed he's already thinking about marriage just days into the experience. These raw, awkward and often hilarious portrayals of first love quickly helped "Better Late Than Single" to become a breakout hit. Following 12 participants, most of them in their late 20s, who had never been in a romantic relationship, the Netflix Korea show has gained global popularity since its July premiere. Just one week after its release, the series broke into Netflix's global Top 10 for non-English TV series at No. 10. In Korea, it climbed to No. 2 on the weekly domestic chart and entered the Top 10 in multiple Asian locations, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. Producers attributed the show's broad appeal to its honest depiction of first love. 'We were all first-time daters once,' the show's producer Kim No-eun said in an interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. 'Because it's something everyone has experienced, it naturally creates empathy and deep emotional immersion. I think the cast's feelings came through clearly.' The production team said they were surprised to receive over 4,000 applications from people who had never dated. Most applicants were in their mid- to late-20s and had attended university during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the show's unique premise, the vetting process for the applicants was rigorous. Before filming, the team said they verified each applicant's dating history through family, friends and acquaintances and required participants to sign a pledge grounded in mutual trust. "Of course, the participants went through a verification process, but even when we met them for interviews, just based on their appearance, we thought they probably weren't true never-daters. However, after talking with them for about 10 to 20 minutes, we became convinced that they were for real," laughed producer Won Seung-jae. One participant who made a lasting impression during the casting process was Jae-yoon, who ultimately joined the final lineup. During the interview, producer Jo Wook-hyoung recalled Jae-yoon's reflection. "To be in a relationship, he said, he has to become a man. But to become a man, he said, he first needed to become a person. Jae-yoon added that he didn't yet feel like a fully realized person and hoped to grow into one through his experience on the show," said Jo. "The moment I heard that, I knew I wanted to work with him." Reflecting on the cast's decision to take part in the show, producer Jo Wook-hyung noted, 'It takes tremendous courage to reveal one's awkward side in situations where people usually want to show only their best selves.' 'We hope viewers will warmly support the cast members who found the courage to do so.' The emotional investment paid off, resulting in two final couples. Beyond the show, news that another participant was dating an older woman brought delight to the production team. On the prospects for a second season, the team expressed optimism: 'If given the opportunity, we would gratefully make it.' At the same time, they urged fans to be considerate, warning that overwhelming attention could be harmful to the participants. 'We fully understand that the reason we are loved is because we focused on authenticity. If we do another season, I think that will remain our top priority," said Won. yoonseo.3348@

Marking 25th anniversary, BoA returns with 'Crazier'
Marking 25th anniversary, BoA returns with 'Crazier'

Korea Herald

time13 hours ago

  • Korea Herald

Marking 25th anniversary, BoA returns with 'Crazier'

K-pop trailblazer's 11th LP delivers sincerity, reflection and gratitude to her fans Reflecting on her decadeslong musical journey, K-pop trailblazer BoA is marking her 25th debut anniversary with the release of her 11th LP "Crazier" on Monday. From upbeat dance tracks to touching ballads, the 11-track multigenre album brims with the singer-songwriter's musical evolution, which will resonate with her fandom, "Jumping BoA." The album also includes songs written and composed by the artist, including the title track and B-sides "Takes Two" and "How Could." The final song of the album, "Clockwise," is a heartfelt tribute to her fans for their long-standing connection and support over the past 25 years. "I don't feel much different just because this year is my 25th anniversary, but I sometimes realize how much time has passed," the singer said in a press release. "The new album is my first full-length album in five years since 'Better.' I wanted to show sides of myself and my musical taste that I haven't had the chance to share with my fans who have supported me and stayed with me through thick and thin," she said. BoA debuted Aug. 25, 2000, at the age of 14, with the album "ID; Peace B." She later expanded into the Japanese market and became a pioneering K-pop artist across Asia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store