Stray Kids’ Hyunjin debuts on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart with “Always Love” alongside … More
For years now, Stray Kids has stood out as one of the most successful K-pop groups in the world. The band is one of only a handful to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a feat it has accomplished several times. While Stray Kids may be counted among the bestselling K-pop acts in American history, the members that make up the group are still just beginning to introduce themselves to the American public.
This week, Hyunjin — one of the eight singers in the chart-topping act — scores a hit on his own on a Billboard tally, and in doing so joins a very exclusive club of South Korean talents.
Hyunjin Charts His First Rock Hit in America
Hyunjin scores his first hit on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart this frame, as “Always Love,” a collaboration with D4vd, opens at No. 49. That’s the second-to-last position on the 50-spot ranking, which details the most consumed rock and alternative tunes in the U.S., but as it arrives, “Always Love” becomes an important and historic hit.
Hyunjin Joins J-Hope and Suga
Hyunjin is just the third South Korean solo musician to appear on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs tally. J-Hope became the first in July 2022, when “More” and his track “What If…” reached the ranking in back-to-back period. He remains the only soloist from South Korea to appear on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs list more than once.
The following summer, Suga — another BTS member — joined Halsey on “Lilith (Diablo IV Anthem),” which at one point neared the top 10.
BTS and Hyunjin Claim the Same Number of Hits
Looking at all K-pop acts, Hyunjin is now just the fourth name to appear on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The first musical figure from South Korea to reach the tally was BTS. The Grammy-nominated boy band joined Coldplay on “My Universe,” which spent half a year on the ranking and still stands as the only No. 1 to credit any K-pop musicians.