After landing a whopping 12 new tracks on the K-Pop Hot 100 last week, quirky girl group f(x) have yet another accomplishment to add to their comeback: their first No. 1. New single “Rum Pum Pum Pum” soars to the top slot from No. 14. The funky dance-pop track marks f(x)’s first No. 1 — 2012’s “Electric Shock” peaked at No. 2 last summer.
New LP “Pink Tape” has proven to have found a legion of U.S. fans as the set debuts atop of Billboard’s World Albums chart, as well as hitting No. 21 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, meaning a Billboard 200 entry wasn’t too far away.
While all 12 tracks from their new album “Pink Tape” didn’t stick around on the K-Pop Hot 100, an impressive seven remain. Watch a performance of album standout track “Airplane” (which rises to No. 74 this week) below.
f(x)’s achievement knocks down Ailee’s first solo No. 1. After two weeks ruling the K-Pop chart, “U&I” falls to No. 3 just behind Crayon Pop’s viral hit “Bar Bar Bar.”
Co-ed trio COOL makes a much-awaited comeback after breaking up in 2005. The act’s return single “Standing in Front of Goodbyes” skyrockets to the No. 9 this week. The group, who are synonymous with releasing summer anthems, takes a different musical direction this time. “Standing In Front Of Goodbyes” is a rhythmic track that talks about a breakup caused by the couple’s subtle difference in personalities.
Just outside the Top 10, a collaboration by chart favorites Davichi (who hit No. 1 less than a month ago with “Missing You Today”) and their controversial labelmates, girl group T-ara, arrives at No. 11. “Bikini,” featuring rapper Skull, is a feel-good summer jam loaded with smooth harmonies, synthy strings and samples of seagulls.
T-ara last tried to make a splash on the K-Pop Hot 100 with a four-member splinter group, T-ara N4, but the track peaked at No. 15. Not horrible, but not particularly good for the girl group who had two K-Pop No. 1s before a bullying scandal. Working with the much-loved Davichi — who now also have two chart toppers to their name — is a smart move from the label even if the track doesn’t have an official music video. Listen below:
The 12-member boy band EXO comprised of half Chinese and half Korean heartthrobs, released single “Growl,” lifted from their repackaged album, “XOXO (Kiss&Hug).” The new track marks their highest-charting entry since their 2012 debut and rises to No.19 this week.
“Growl” is a dance number with urban and R&B touches and witty lyrics that express a man’s desire not to lose his woman to another. The video showcases dynamic choreography, put together by renowned choreographer Nick Bass (who has worked with Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Christina Aguilera, as well as EXO’s labelmates Super Junior and SHINee). The Korean version music video has amassed nearly 6 million clicks, while the Chinese version has reached 2 million views.
Along with current No. 1 f(x), the boys are scheduled to appear at KCON in Los Angeles on August 25.