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K-pop groups have become a worldwide phenomenon, propagating the Korean Wave. The groups present impressive choreography, catchy tunes, and good visuals. The rise of these groups can also be credited to media management, talent management, and savvy corporatization - this is where entertainment companies come into play.
The most popular K-pop companies include SM, JYP, and YG Entertainment. These entertainment companies have created some of the best-selling K-pop groups in the world. YG Entertainment, in particular, created BLACKPINK, 2NE1 and Winner. These K-Pop groups have released albums that have ranked on local and international charts and have sold thousands of copies.
6 Best-selling debut albums by K-pop groups under YG Entertainment
This list ranked according to the total copies of the debut albums sold by the K-Pop groups under YG Entertainment.
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- BabyMonster BabyMons7er
- BLACKPINK SQUARE UP
- TREASURE TFS: CHAPTER ONE
- 2NE1 2NE1
- WINNER 2014 S/S
- iKON WELCOME BACK
1. BabyMonster, BabyMons7er
This K-pop girl group BabyMonster was created in 2023 under YG Entertainment and consists of 7 members including Ruka, Asa, Pharita, Chiquita, Rora, Rami, and Ahyeon. BabyMonster made their official debut on April 1, 2024, with an eponymous mini-album, BabyMons7er, featuring seven tracks: Batter Up, Stuck In the Middle, Sheesh, Like That, Monsters, Stuck In the Middle remix, and Dream.
The lead single of the mini album, Sheesh, entered Billboard's 200 chart and earned the number one spot on the YouTube global music video rankings. BabyMons7er peaked at number 3 on the Circle Album Chart and earned the group 1.7 million streams on Spotify. Their debut album sold 598,000 copies upon its release, setting the record as the best-selling debut album from a group under YG Entertainment.
2. BLACKPINK, SQUARE UP
The 4-member K-Pop group, BLACKPINK, was formed by YG Entertainment in August 2016. On June 15, 2018, the group released their debut mini-album, SQUARE UP, which came in two different versions. The album featured four singles including Ddu-Du Ddu-Du, Forever Young, Really, and See U Later. The lead single Ddu-Du Ddu-Du, topped the South Korean music chart for three consecutive weeks.
The song also held the record for the highest-charting single by a female Korean act in the United Kingdom and United States. The double platinum EP, SQUARE UP, peaked at number 40 on the Billboard's 200 chart. BLACKPINK’s debut album sold 555,000 copies upon its release, earning the group the second spot on this list.
3. TREASURE, The First Step: Chapter One
The First Step: Chapter One, is a single album that marked the debut of the K-pop boy group, Treasure, created by YG Entertainment in 2019. The album which is the first of the First Step franchise was released on August 7, 2020.
The album is made up of two tracks; Boy and Come To Me. The two-track album gained commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies within its first week of release. The lead track, Boy, peaked at number 7 on Billboard's World digital song sales, while the other song, Come To Me, took the 10th spot. The album topped the Gaon Album Chart in 2020 The First Step: Chapter One ranks third on the list with over 265,000 copies sold.
4. 2NE1, 2NE1
The popular K-Pop group, 2NE1, was introduced by YG Entertainment in March 2009, before dropping their self-titled mini album, 2NE1, on July 8, 2009. The eponymous album is composed of three songs: Fire, I Don't Care, and Lollipop. By August 10, 2009, the album had sold more than 100,000 copies.
The group's debut mini-album became the best-selling album by a female Korean act, as well as taking the third spot for the best-selling album by a Korean act in 2009. The lead track Fire, ranked number 37 on Melon's ranking of the best 100 K-pop songs of all time. 2NE1 sold a total of 225,000 copies.
5. WINNER S/S
The South Korean record label, YG Entertainment, signed the K-Pop group, WINNER, in 2013, after which their debut album S/S was released on August 17, 2014. S/S is a ten-track album consisting of singles Empty, Color Ring, Don't Flirt, I'm Him, Love Is A Lie, Confession, But, Different, Tonight, and Smile Again.
Some of the album’s accolades include a number 1 position on US Billboard's World album chart, number 2 on the Gaon album chart, and number 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers Album chart, amongst others. S/S by WINNER sold a total of 92,000 copies.
6. iKON WELCOME BACK
The K-pop group, iKON, came into the limelight with their debut album, Welcome Back, after signing a deal with YG Entertainment in 2015. The album dropped on December 24, 2015, featuring seven singles: My Type, Airplane, Rhythm Ta, Apology, Anthem, Dumb and Dumber, and What's Wrong?
Welcome Back topped the Gaon album chart upon its release, while the lead track, My Type, sold over 1.6 million copies just in Korea alone, and became one of 2015's best-selling songs. The seven-track album peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard World Albums, and number 3 on the Oricon album chart. Welcome Back sold 66,000 copies.
These K-pop groups, after their debut, went on to establish themselves as renowned entertainers, topping international charts and receiving multiple awards.
