BTS’s Jung Kook Makes U.K. Chart History
Written by djfrosty on October 9, 2023
BTS star Jung Kook bags the top debut on the U.K. singles chart, and with it, a piece of history.
Jung Kook’s “3D” (via BigHit Entertainment) with Jack Harlow bows at No. 5 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, Oct. 6, behind the weeks-long leader, Doja Cat‘s “Paint The Town Red” (Ministry of Sound).
With that strong start for “3D,” Jung Kook becomes the first Korean solo act to score two top 5 singles in the U.K.; his debut solo single, “Seven,” featuring Latto, debuted at No. 3 earlier this year, setting a chart record.
Both tracks will appear on the K-pop artist’s first solo album GOLDEN, due out Nov. 3.
As a group, BTS has landed four singles in the U.K. top 10, including three No. 3s — for 2020’s “Dynamite,” “Butter” and Coldplay collaboration “My Universe” (both from 2021). All seven members of the K-pop phenomenon – Jin, Jimin, Suga, Jung Kook, RM, V and J-Hope – have shared solo material, with Jimin setting the bar with a first top 10 for “Like Crazy” (peaking at No. 8) in March; he separately secured a top 40 appearance with “Set Me Free Pt. 2,” hitting No. 30.
J-Hope was the first member of BTS to bag a U.K. top 40 single, thanks to his J. Cole collaboration “On The Street” peaking at No. 37.
Historically, the only other Korean solo artist to have bagged two U.K. top 10 singles is PSY, with 2012’s “Gangnam Style” (No. 1) and 2013’s “Gentleman” (No. 10).
Meanwhile, Doja Cat checks in for a fifth straight week at No. 1 with “Paint The Town Red,” which holds off a feisty challenge from Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” (FFRR), unchanged at No. 2, and Tate McCrae’s “Greedy” (Ministry of Sound), up 5-3 for a new peak position.
South African singer Tyla enjoys her first U.K. top 10 as “Water” (RCA) rises 16-10, while Nigeria-born Afrobeats star Burna Boy is moving on up with “City Boys” (Atlantic), his 13th top 40. “City Boy” improves 17-14.
U.S. singer and songwriter Mitski is close behind and climbing fast with “My Love Mine All Mine” (Dead Oceans), rocketing 34-15 for a new peak.
Finally, Ed Sheeran has his 62nd U.K. top 40 hit with “American Town” (Gingerbread Man), new at No. 27. It’s lifted from his seventh and latest studio album Autumn Variations, the current U.K. No. 1 LP.