In a groundbreaking achievement, Ateez, the eight-member K-pop sensation from South Korea, secures their first No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 album chart with “The World EP.Fin: Will.” Released in 33 collectible variations, including 26 on CD and seven on vinyl, the album’s equivalent of 152,000 sales in the United States catapults Ateez to the top, marking their ascent in the global music scene.
This accomplishment makes Ateez the fourth K-pop group to achieve a No. 1 album in 2023, following the footsteps of Tomorrow X Together, NewJeans, and Stray Kids, with the latter achieving this feat twice. Notably, physical copies played a pivotal role in their success, with a whopping 33 collectible options for fans. However, Ateez stands out with a surprisingly low streaming count of 7.6 million clicks, the smallest for any No. 1 album this year.
On the Billboard 200 chart this week, Ateez’s “The World EP.Fin: Will” overtakes Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” which slides to No. 2. Drake’s “For All the Dogs” secures the third spot, followed by Morgan Wallen’s “One Thing at a Time” at No. 4, and Michael Bublé’s perennial holiday favorite, “Christmas,” taking the fifth position.
Meanwhile, on the Hot 100 singles chart, Brenda Lee’s timeless classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” retains its No. 1 status for a second consecutive week, celebrating her 79th birthday. Mariah Carey’s holiday anthem, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” holds steady at the second position.
As Ateez etches their name in K-pop history with this remarkable achievement, the global music industry witnesses the continued dominance of K-pop acts on the international stage.
