Asian artists have historically been trailblazers in modern music, and their achievements on the Billboard charts signify both individual success and the evolution of the global music landscape. Recently, superstars like BTS and BLACKPINK have redefined what it means for Asian artists to succeed on these charts, which are considered industry benchmarks for mainstream influence. However, the ascent of K-pop only partially captures the broader narrative of Asian music’s emergence in the North American market. The first Hot 100 No. 1 by an Asian artist occurred decades earlier, with other artists reaching significant chart milestones nearly ten years before K-pop’s full mainstream breakthrough in the late 2010s.
Despite the challenges posed by charts predominantly featuring Western music, the artists highlighted in this list have defied stereotypes, met industry standards, and expressed their authentic visions amidst numerous obstacles. They represent diverse Asian communities, including Asian Americans, and have introduced innovative art and chart-topping hits to the world, igniting transformative change.
Here are 10 remarkable achievements by Asian artists in Billboard chart history, showcasing a wide spectrum of sounds and styles. From CL’s solo breakthrough to GOT7’s multiple entries on the World Albums chart, these artists are paving the way for future generations of Asian and AAPI musicians.
1. Kyu Sakamoto’s “Sukiyaki” Tops the Billboard Hot 100 (1963)
Established in August 1958, the Billboard Hot 100 was initially dominated by English-language songs. Japanese artist Kyu Sakamoto’s romantic ballad “Sukiyaki,” the English adaptation of his original “上を向いて歩こう” (translating to “I Look Up as I Walk”), made history by becoming the first non-European song to claim the No. 1 spot on the chart in the summer of 1963.
It remained at the top for three weeks, and its memorable tune and cultural importance sustained its impact for decades, maintaining the distinction of being the only Asian artist’s song to reach No. 1 until 2020.
2. Wonder Girls’ “Nobody” Becomes 1st K-pop Entry on the Hot 100 (2009)
Today, it’s hard to envision mainstream music without K-pop, and Wonder Girls played a pivotal role in the genre’s global expansion with the English version of their hit “Nobody.” The song made its debut on the Hot 100 in 2009, peaking at No. 76, and introduced a wider audience to the polished production and sophisticated sound of Wonder Girls, significantly altering the commercial trajectory of Korean music worldwide.
3. PSY’s “Gangnam Style” Becomes 1st Korean Top 10 Hit (2012)
PSY’s “Gangnam Style” took the world by storm in 2012, fueled by its viral success on YouTube. The song’s catchy hook and memorable “horse dance” became cultural phenomena, with its music video being the first to surpass 1 billion views on the platform. “Gangnam Style” peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 in October 2012 and spent an impressive 31 weeks on the chart. This track remains PSY’s most iconic global hit, followed by another top 10 hit, “Gentleman,” in 2013.
4. CL Becomes 1st Korean Female Solo Artist to Enter the Hot 100 (2016)
Emerging as the leader of 2NE1, CL broke new ground as a solo artist in 2016 with her English-language single “Lifted,” which debuted at No. 94 on the Hot 100, making her the first Korean female solo artist ever to chart there.
5. Pikotaro’s “PPAP” Makes the Billboard Hot 100 in Just 1 Minute (2016)
Comedian Daimaou Kosaka, known as Pikotaro, gained viral fame with his whimsical song “PPAP” (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen) in 2016, which caught widespread attention after Justin Bieber endorsed it as his favorite video on social media. The song, lasting just 45 seconds, quickly made its way onto the Hot 100, peaking at No. 77, and remained on the charts for four weeks. Until 2020, it held the record for the shortest song in Hot 100 history.
6. BTS’s “Dynamite” Makes History as 1st Korean No. 1 on the Hot 100 (2020)
The year 2020 proved to be historic for many K-pop artists, with BTS making headlines by reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 in September 2020 with their catchy hit “Dynamite.” This marked a significant milestone as BTS became the first Korean act to top the chart. “Dynamite” held the No. 1 position for three consecutive weeks, and before the year ended, BTS also achieved two additional No. 1 hits, including a feature on Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” alongside their single “Life Goes On.”
7. BLACKPINK’s Rosé Achieves the Highest Solo Chart Entry by a Korean Female Artist (2021)
Rosé of BLACKPINK made waves with her upbeat solo track “On The Ground,” which peaked at No. 70 on the Hot 100. This marked the highest-charting debut single by a Korean female solo artist, solidifying her solo project R as a significant success in 2021.
8. Joji’s “Glimpse of Us” Debuts in the Hot 100 Top 10 (2022)
Joji gained attention with his third album “Smithereens,” and the emotional track “Glimpse of Us” became a breakout hit. It debuted at No. 10 in June 2022 and reached No. 8 shortly after. The song gained traction through TikTok but its success extended further, making it the first song by an Asian solo artist to debut in the Hot 100 top 10. Joji also became the second Japanese artist, following Kyu Sakamoto, to achieve a top 10 position.
9. BLACKPINK Becomes 1st K-pop Girl Group to Top the Billboard 200 (2022)
In September 2022, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop girl group to secure the top position on the Billboard 200 with their second album, “Born Pink.” Featuring hit tracks like “Hard To Love” and “Pink Venom,” the album reached No. 1 and contributed to BLACKPINK’s continued global success, including their landmark performance at Coachella in 2023.
10. GOT7 Breaks World Albums Chart Record
GOT7, a multinational K-pop group, has consistently captivated global audiences with 19 entries on the World Albums Chart. This includes 15 top 10 rankings and four No. 1 releases, such as their 2014 EP “Got It?” and “Flight Log: Turbulence.” Even after leaving JYP Entertainment in 2021, GOT7 has retained their popularity, landing in the top 10 again in 2022 with their self-titled project.
In summary, with Rosé’s solo accomplishment and BLACKPINK’s recognition, BLACKPINK stands out as the artist with the most chart entries in this Billboard list.
Source: Billboard Korea
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