K-pop's BTS First All-South Korean Act to Top US Singles Charts

BTS perform at the Jingle Ball 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)
BTS perform at the Jingle Ball 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)
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K-pop's BTS First All-South Korean Act to Top US Singles Charts

BTS perform at the Jingle Ball 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)
BTS perform at the Jingle Ball 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)

K-pop sensation BTS has become the first all-South Korean act to rule the top US singles chart, industry tracker Billboard announced Monday, with their English-language "Dynamite" hitting number one.

It is another milestone cementing the seven-member boy band's global dominance, coming hours after BTS beat American heavyweights including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to score the Best Pop award at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

The first BTS single sung completely in English, "Dynamite" was released August 21 and tallied 33.9 million US streams in just a week, with 300,000 units sold.

In securing the top spot, the song unseats Cardi B's raunchy hit "WAP" featuring fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, a not-safe-for-work bop that held number one for two consecutive weeks.

BTS's achievement comes after it reached the Billboard Hot 100's fourth slot in March with its song "On."

Three of BTS' albums have hit number one on Billboard's album charts, but this is its first Hot 100 top single.

Billboard's all-genre Hot 100 blends US streaming, radio airplay and digital sales data to rank the top hits.

BTS is the first all-South Korean group -- comprised of J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga and V -- to reign over the chart.

South Korean soloist PSY reached number two for seven weeks in the fall of 2012 with his viral dance juggernaut "Gangnam Style."

The first Asian artist to top the chart was Japanese-born crooner Kyu Sakamoto, whose "Sukiyaki" held the ranking for three weeks in June 1963.

K-pop -- along with K-drama soap operas -- has been one of South Korea's most successful cultural exports.

A key component of the "Korean Wave" that has swept Asia and beyond over the last two decades, the K-pop industry is estimated to be worth some $5 billion.



Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carrie-Anne Moss Make Magic in 'Fubar' Season 2

Cast members Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fortune Feimster, Fabiana Udenio, Monica Barbaro, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Travis Van Winkle, Carrie-Anne Moss, Milan Carter and Guy Burnet attend a premiere for season 2 of the television series FUBAR in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Cast members Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fortune Feimster, Fabiana Udenio, Monica Barbaro, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Travis Van Winkle, Carrie-Anne Moss, Milan Carter and Guy Burnet attend a premiere for season 2 of the television series FUBAR in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carrie-Anne Moss Make Magic in 'Fubar' Season 2

Cast members Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fortune Feimster, Fabiana Udenio, Monica Barbaro, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Travis Van Winkle, Carrie-Anne Moss, Milan Carter and Guy Burnet attend a premiere for season 2 of the television series FUBAR in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Cast members Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fortune Feimster, Fabiana Udenio, Monica Barbaro, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Travis Van Winkle, Carrie-Anne Moss, Milan Carter and Guy Burnet attend a premiere for season 2 of the television series FUBAR in Los Angeles, California, US, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Austrian and American actor Arnold Schwarzenegger had to admit that it took him a lot of practice to nail the tango scene with Canadian actor Carrie-Anne Moss for season 2 of the Netflix action-comedy series "Fubar."

"We practiced. We practiced a lot, and she didn't need as much practice as I did, but I really practiced," the former California governor told Reuters.

The "Terminator" actor recalled doing the first take for the dance scene and impressing everyone with how ready they were.

"They just thought we were rehearsing, but they did not know that we were that prepared for the whole thing," Schwarzenegger said with a smile.

"Fubar" season 2, created by Nick Santora and produced by Skydance Television and Blackjack Films, premiered on Netflix last Thursday.

The story follows Luke Brunner, played by Schwarzenegger and his daughter Emma, played by Monica Barbaro, who are both CIA operatives.

Their fellow CIA team members include Barry Putt, played by Milan Carter, Boro Polonia, played by Gabriel Luna, Roo Russell, played by Fortune Feimster and Aldon Reese, portrayed by Travis Van Winkle.

In season 2, Brunner is back to working with his CIA team, but things take an unexpected turn when he encounters his ex-lover Greta Nelson, played by Carrie-Anne Moss.

Greta is a former East German spy who ends up going up against Brunner in both the tango and a tussling battle.

"Most of my scenes are with Arnold, so we developed this incredible friendship," Carrie-Anne said.

Schwarzenegger humorously recalled the "Matrix" actor bringing what he dubbed as "secret oil" to the set and putting it behind his ears before shooting a scene.

"Peppermint oil. I'm a big peppermint oil or just essential oil person," Carrie-Anne clarified.

"It was like some magic power because as soon as she smeared the stuff behind my ears, I mean it was like ‘pum!’ and we were kind of out of the gate doing our scenes in the most perfect way," Schwarzenegger added.