BTS Jimin Makes History by Topping Billboard Hot 100

BTS member Jimin has made history by becoming the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with his song "Like Crazy." This song is the title track of his debut solo album "FACE," which was released on March 24, 2023. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Jimin's solo success and what it means for him and his fans.

How "Like Crazy" Conquered the Charts

According to Billboard, "Like Crazy" debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart dated April 8, 2023, marking Jimin's first leader and the first for a member of the superstar South Korean pop group BTS. He is also the first South Korean solo artist to lead the list. Previously, BTS was the only K-pop act to top the chart with six songs, from "Dynamite" (2020) to "My Universe" (2021), a collaboration with British rock band Coldplay. Jimin also became the first K-pop artist to have sat atop the chart both as a soloist and with a group. Among K-pop soloists, Psy was the highest-charting artist before Jimin, with his global hit "Gangnam Style" staying at No. 2 for seven consecutive weeks in 2012.

The song sold 254,000 song downloads and CD singles combined and drew 10 million streams and 64,000 radio airplay audience impressions in the first week of its release. The sales sum for "Like Crazy" is the highest in a single week since Taylor Swift's "Anti-Hero" sold 328,000 (Nov. 19, 2022), sparked by seven remixes released that tracking week. "Like Crazy" also debuted at No. 1 on the digital single sales chart, where it is Jimin's third song to achieve the feat.

What "Like Crazy" Is About

"Like Crazy" is a synth-pop song that combines intense synth and drum sounds with Jimin's mournful timbre. The song was released with two versions, Korean and English, and more versions of the song, including Deep House and UK garage remixes were released on March 26. The Korean version sings about losing one's mind over being intoxicated with love, while the English one leans towards the fear of losing one's identity in the pursuit of stardom. Jimin has said the song was inspired by a film of the same name that he likes. It features the emotions of the moment when he wants to turn a blind eye to reality and stay in his dreams forever to forget hurtful memories.

The music video for "Like Crazy" has also garnered over 33 million views since its premiere on March 24. The video shows Jimin in various settings, such as a hotel room, a rooftop, a car, and a stage, expressing his inner turmoil and longing through his captivating dance moves and facial expressions.

How Fans Reacted to Jimin's Solo Debut

Jimin's solo debut was met with overwhelming support and praise from his fans, who call themselves ARMYs. They celebrated his achievement by trending hashtags such as #JiminBillboardNo1 #JiminHot100No1 #JiminLikeCrazy #JiminSoloKing on Twitter and other social media platforms. They also expressed their admiration and appreciation for his hard work and talent through comments and messages.

Some fans also pointed out how Jimin's solo success was especially meaningful given that he had faced many challenges and hardships in his journey as an idol. They recalled how he had overcome self-doubt, criticism, injuries, and pressure to become one of the most