Psy and Suga on the set of the music video for their single “That That.”
Three songs debut inside the top 10 on the current edition of the Billboard Global 200, the chart company’s weekly ranking of the 200 most-consumed tracks in the world. Two are by rapper Future, whose new album I Never Liked You racked up hundreds of millions of plays on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music in its opening frame. In between the hip-hop star’s impressive starts comes a collaboration that helps both artists named make specific history.
Psy and Suga start their new collaborative single “That That” at No. 5 on the Billboard Global 200, and by doing so, they manage a feat that very few of their countrymen (and women) have before. The new tune marks the first top 10 hit for both artists (on their own, at least), and as it launches in fifth place, they become the first two solo South Korean male musicians to break into the highest tier on the tally.
Before this week, Psy had never reached the Billboard Global 200 in any capacity, though that’s not entirely shocking. Billboard instituted the ranking less than two years ago, long after the pioneering South Korean star had enjoyed his moment in the spotlight and then taken a step back to work behind-the-scenes in the music industry. Many of Psy’s biggest hits, such as “Gentleman” and the boundary-breaking “Gangnam Style,” took over the planet years before the Billboard Global 200 was introduced.
Suga had reached the Billboard Global 200 once as a soloist before “That That,” but his sole charting cut didn’t rise nearly as high. In 2021, he joined late rapper Juice WRLD on the track “Girl of My Dreams,” which climbed as high as No. 37 on the ranking. Of course, as a member of BTS, Suga has performed extremely well on the list, scoring half a dozen No. 1 smashes, two additional top 10s, and a total of 13 charting wins.
Looking at all solo South Korean artists, Psy and Suga become the third and fourth names to land inside the top 10 on the Billboard Global 200. The first star matching that description to hit the highest tier on the chart was Rosé, best known as one of the four members of Blackpink. In March 2021, her debut offering on her own “On the Ground” ended up topping the tally. She remains the only solo artist from South Korea to rule over the Billboard Global 200.
Later in 2021, fellow Blackpink singer Lisa landed not one, but two top 10 hits on the same chart. She launched her own career apart from the girl group with a short collection that featured a pair of tracks, and both entered the uppermost area on the list. “Lalisa” narrowly missed out on matching “On the Ground,” as it stalled in the runner-up rung, while B-side “Money” peaked at No. 10.
In addition to Psy, Suga, Rosé and Lisa, just three other South Korean musical acts have hit the top 10 on the Billboard Global 200. BTS has landed more wins than almost any other act, while Blackpink has seen two singles shoot into the lofty space. In April 2022, BigBang also joined this exclusive club, as their song “Still Life” settled at No. 9 for a short time.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2022/05/16/btss-suga-and-psy-join-blackpinks-lisa-and-ros-with-their-first-global-top-10-smash-single/