BTS Billboard Controversy Unraveled After One Year

It has been a year since the controversy surrounding Jimin’s sudden drop in Billboard chart rankings sparked uproar among fans of the BTS group.

At the time, Billboard’s lack of response was met with silence despite fervent demands from BTS fans worldwide for an explanation.

Termination of CEO

During his visit to Korea, Mike Ban, the CEO of U.S. Billboard headquarters, firmly denied any allegations of ‘K-pop discrimination’ and ‘K-pop check.’

During a press conference at Chosun Palace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ban reiterated his stance, making his first official visit in four years since 2020 known.

Persistent Doubts

The recurring concern of alleged discrimination against K-pop artists on the Billboard charts and the issue of checks has been a ongoing topic of discussion.

There were numerous speculations surrounding a potential bias against K-pop, with suggestions such as creating a separate ‘K-pop chart’ on Billboard and implementing stricter regulations for the primary single chart, the ‘Hot 100.’

The Controversial Actions of BTS Member Jimin

In April of the previous year, Jimin set a new record by reaching the number one spot on the ‘Hot 100’ chart. However, his ranking quickly dropped to the top 40 within a week.

The “Billboard Explained”hashtag campaign on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) was initiated in response to the global fan outrage sparked by this incident.

Despite fervent demands for an explanation, Billboard remained reticent, leading fans to voice suspicions that the company had altered its rules without prior notice, resulting in an unfavorable impact on Jimin’s standings.

The Case for Billboard’s Defense

During the press conference, Mike Ban refuted these allegations and emphasized that there is no validity to accusations of ‘K-pop discrimination.’

The speaker also revealed personal stories about their family’s love for K-pop groups such as BTS, NewJeans, and BLACKPINK, showcasing their personal attachment to the music genre.

Ban’s remarks served as a clear stance against any doubts, showcasing a fondness for K-pop. However, completely resolving any lingering uncertainties may take additional time. Billboard’s upcoming debut in Korea next month suggests an ongoing commitment to addressing and potentially alleviating any remaining concerns among the K-pop community.

BTS has just reached another remarkable achievement as their song “Bad Decisions,”featuring Snoop Dogg and Benny Blanco, made its debut in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This marks yet another historical milestone for the group.

Upon its release, the track quickly climbed to the top of iTunes charts in multiple countries and also achieved significant chart success on various Billboard charts.

“Upon its release, the song debuted at No. 10 on the Hot 100 chart and sold 66,000 units, solidifying BTS’ 10th top 10 hit and earning them the title of the first Korean act to achieve ten top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, the track made its debut at No. 6 on the Billboard Global 200, cementing BTS as the first group to have ten top 10 hits on that chart.”

Furthermore, the track also secured the top spot on the Digital Song Sales chart, continuing to break BTS’ record for the highest number of chart-topping hits on that particular chart. Additionally, the single made its debut on multiple charts of the United Kingdom’s Official Charts.