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K-pop is a global sensation, and Twice is currently at the forefront of the movement. The South Korean girl group has once again showcased their immense popularity in the U.S. with their latest release, Ready to Be. The set debuts at No. 2 on the prestigious Billboard 200 chart, which ranks the most-consumed projects in America every week.
According to Billboard, Ready to Be starts off strong with 153,000 equivalent album units, making it the biggest week ever for Twice in the U.S. Sales make up the majority of that sum, accounting for 145,500 of the total units sold. That’s enough to make the EP the bestselling title of the frame. Meanwhile, 7,000 streaming equivalent albums (which came from 10.28 on-demand official streams) and just 500 track equivalent album units also contributed to the overall figure.
K-pop albums usually perform exceptionally well on physical formats, and Ready to Be was no exception. Physical purchases accounted for a whopping 86% of the album’s first-week sales, with CD editions being the most popular choice among fans. Vinyl copies of the album were also made available for fans who appreciate the warmth and sound quality of the format, and it’s an opportunity to collect something more from the girl group.
Ready to Be marks the fourth top 10 charting effort for Twice on the Billboard 200, whose previous two charting sets peaked at No. 3. They’ve reached the highest region on the tally with Formula of Love: O+T=<3 (No. 3), Between 1&2 (No. 3) and Taste of Love (No. 6). Overall, the band has now sent half a dozen projects to the list.
Their latest EP has also produced just their second charting hit on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Recently, “Moonlight Sunrise” debuted at No. 84, missing out on their previously-set high point by a single space.
Despite beating many other new releases, Ready to Be could not dethrone Morgan Wallen’s massive album One Thing at a Time, which held the No. 1 spot for the second week on the Billboard 200. The country singer moved another 259,000 equivalent album units, having opened last week with just over half a million.
Ready to Be did, however, manage to beat out Miley Cyrus’ Endless Summer Vacation. That album, one of the most highly anticipated in pop this year, starts at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 119,000 equivalent album units. That’s somewhat surprising, given the immense success of the title’s lead single “Flowers,” which has now ruled the Hot 100 for seven nonconsecutive weeks.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/03/21/k-pop-stars-twice-hit-a-new-high-on-the-billboard-200-with-ready-to-be/