[Today’s K-pop] NewJeans ties Blackpink’s record on Billboard 200

NewJeans’ second EP ranked No. 197 on Billboard 200, extending its stay on the main albums chart to 26 weeks, said agency Ador on Wednesday.

This ties the record streak Blackpink set with first full album “The Album,” and is bested only by BTS.

The rookie group’s EP “Get Up” debuted atop Billboard 200 in August and “Super Shy,” one of the three focus tracks, enjoyed an eight-week stay on Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at No. 48.

The single is nominated for K-Pop Song of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards as is the five-member act for Best New Artist in K-Pop, according to the nominees list published last week. The results will be announced at the awards ceremony that will be held in Los Angeles on April 1.

BTS’ Jimin returns, Jungkook stays on Billboard charts

Jimin of BTS reentered Billboard 200 with his solo album “Face” at No. 59, according to the chart released on Tuesday in the US.

The sales of the LP version that became available last month is estimated to have contributed to the return. The EP made the vinyl albums chart at No. 2 as well, tying the record bandmate RM set with the solo album “Indigo.”

The mini album “Face” claimed No. 2 spot on Billboard 200 in April last year, setting a new record for a K-pop solo artist at the time. It was the first album from a K-pop solo act to sell over 1 million units on the day of release.

Meanwhile, Jungkook’s solo album “Golden” ranked No. 44 on the Billboard 200 and its main track “Standing Next To You” ranked No. 87 on the Hot 100, both extending to 11 consecutive weeks.

(G)I-dle’s 2nd LP sells 1.8m copies in pre-orders

The second studio album from (G)I-dle received 1.8 million pre-orders, according to agency Cube Entertainment on Wednesday.

The LP “2” is due out on Jan. 29 but has already logged the figure that surpasses that of previous album, sixth EP “I Feel.” It is a record for the group and is on par with aespa’s third EP “My World,” which ranks No. 2 for a K-pop girl group, only after Blackpink’s second LP “Born Pink” at 2 million. (G)I-dle’s sixth EP sold over 1.16 million copies in the first week, becoming the fourth most-sold album from a K-pop girl group at the time.

In the meantime, the pre-release from the upcoming LP, dubbed “Wife,” stirred up controversy after it was released on Monday. The lyrics of the song were rated “unsuitable” for broadcast by KBS for sexual implications. Soyeon wrote the lyrics and melody of the song.

Mamamoo’s Wheein to sing with DAY6’s Young K

Wheein of Mamamoo surprised fans Wednesday while busking in central Seoul by announcing that she is set to drop a new song on Feb. 15 featuring Young K of DAY6.

Agency The Live confirmed the news saying that she will drop a digital single next month.

Although it is the first time the two are collaborating, she recently covered the band’s “You Were Beautiful,” one of the many hit songs Young K wrote.

The new single comes about four months since her first solo full-length album “In The Mood” which topped the iTunes top albums chart in 13 regions. Next month, she will hold her first solo standalone concert in Seoul for a sold-out crowd for two days.