SEOUL - YG Entertainment's newest sensation, Babymonster, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the K-pop industry by setting the record for the highest first-week sales of a debut album by a girl group. The agency announced this achievement on Monday, underlining the group's rapid rise in the music scene.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Babymonster's debut EP "Babymons7er" sold an impressive 401,287 copies in just the first week following its release, as confirmed by data from the Hanteo Chart, a premier tracker of album sales in Korea. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by ILLIT, another emerging girl group, which had set the bar at 380,056 copies a week earlier. The record is specifically for full albums, excluding single album sales.
In the highly competitive K-pop sector, initial week sales are a critical indicator of an artist's popularity and the breadth of their fanbase. With these figures, Babymonster has not only demonstrated significant domestic success but also marked their presence on international charts. The EP achieved notable positions on the Worldwide iTunes Album chart and saw its lead track, "Sheesh," entering Spotify's Daily Top Songs Global chart at No. 69, an unprecedented feat for a K-pop girl group debut this year.
Comprising seven members — Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Rami, Rora, Chiquita, and Ahyeon — Babymonster is characterized by its diverse lineup with artists hailing from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. The group initially debuted as a six-member ensemble with the single "Batter Up" last November and has since welcomed back Ahyeon from her health-related hiatus, completing the septet for their first comprehensive album release.
"Babymons7er" signifies a significant step for the group, showcasing the full range of its talent and setting a new benchmark for K-pop girl group debuts.