Asian artists have long been pioneers in modern music. Success on the Billboard charts not only reflects individual commercial achievements but also signifies progress in the global music scene. Recently, superstars like BTS and BLACKPINK have set new standards for Asian artists on these charts, which serve as industry benchmarks for mainstream influence. However, the global rise of K-pop does not tell the full story of Asian music’s entry into the North American market. The first Hot 100 No. 1 by an Asian artist happened decades ago, and other artists achieved significant milestones on the charts nearly a decade before K-pop’s full mainstream emergence in the late 2010s.
While Asian artists still face challenges in charts dominated by Western music, those featured in this list have shattered stereotypes, adhered to industry standards, and delivered their authentic visions despite obstacles. They represent various Asian communities, including Asian Americans, and have brought groundbreaking art and hit songs to the world, sparking waves of change.
Here are 10 significant achievements of Asian artists in Billboard chart history, covering a broad range of sounds and styles. From CL’s solo debut to GOT7‘s numerous World Albums entries, these artists have helped pave the way for future generations of Asian and AAPI musicians.
1. Kyu Sakamoto’s “Sukiyaki” Tops the Billboard Hot 100 (1963)
The Billboard Hot 100, launched in August 1958, was dominated by English-language songs in its early years. Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto’s romantic ballad “Sukiyaki,” the English version of his original song “上を向いて歩こう” (meaning “I Look Up as I Walk”), became the first non-European song to reach No. 1 on the chart in the summer of 1963.
It stayed atop the chart for three weeks, and its catchy melody and cultural significance remained strong for decades, holding the record as the only Asian artist’s song to reach No. 1 until 2020.
2. Wonder Girls’ “Nobody” Becomes 1st K-pop Entry on the Hot 100 (2009)
It’s hard to imagine mainstream music today without K-pop, but Wonder Girls marked the beginning of the genre’s global rise with the English version of their hit “Nobody.” The song entered the Hot 100 in 2009, peaking at No. 76, introducing a new audience to Wonder Girls’ polished production and sleek sound, and helping change the commercial fate of Korean music worldwide.
3. PSY’s “Gangnam Style” Becomes 1st Korean Top 10 Hit (2012)
PSY’s “Gangnam Style” took the world by storm in 2012, fueled by its explosive popularity on YouTube. The song’s grand hook and meme-worthy “horse dance” choreography permeated mainstream culture, and its music video became the first to reach 1 billion views on YouTube. “Gangnam Style” peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 in October 2012 and stayed on the chart for 31 weeks. It remains PSY’s most iconic global hit, and he followed up with another top 10 hit, “Gentleman,” in 2013.
4. CL Becomes 1st Korean Female Solo Artist to Enter the Hot 100 (2016)
Debuting as the leader of 2NE1, CL achieved a milestone as a solo artist in 2016 with her first English-language single “Lifted,” which debuted at No. 94 on the Hot 100, making her the first Korean female soloist to enter the chart. The confident track paid homage to Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man in its chorus, and the music video, shot in New York, featured Method Man himself, further solidifying CL’s global stardom.
5. Pikotaro’s “PPAP” Makes the Billboard Hot 100 in Just 1 Minute (2016)
Comedian Daimaou Kosaka, known by his stage name Pikotaro, created the quirky song “PPAP” (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen) in 2016, which gained viral popularity after Justin Bieber tweeted about it as his favorite video on the internet. The 45-second single quickly entered the Hot 100, peaking at No. 77, and remained on the chart for four weeks. Until Kid Cudi’s “Beautiful Trip” in 2020, it held the record as the shortest song in Hot 100 history.
6. BTS’s “Dynamite” Makes History as 1st Korean No. 1 on the Hot 100 (2020)
2020 was a remarkable year for many K-pop artists, but BTS especially set records. After years of lingering in the top 10, BTS reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 in September 2020 with their addictive single “Dynamite,” making them the first Korean act to top the chart. “Dynamite” stayed at No. 1 for three consecutive weeks, and before the end of 2020, BTS achieved two more No. 1s, including a guest feature on Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” and their new single “Life Goes On.”
7. BLACKPINK’s Rosé Achieves the Highest Solo Chart Entry by a Korean Female Artist (2024)
BLACKPINK’s Rosé distinguished herself from the group’s usual sound with her upbeat solo track “On The Ground.” The song peaked at No. 70 on the Hot 100, becoming the highest-charting debut single by a Korean female solo artist and marking her solo project <R> as a standout success in 2024.
8. Joji’s “Glimpse of Us” Debuts in the Hot 100 Top 10 (2024)
Joji began making waves with his third album “Smithereens”, and the emotional track “Glimpse of Us” became a breakthrough hit. It debuted at No. 10 in June 2024 and climbed to No. 8 a month later. The song gained early traction through TikTok, but its success extended beyond the platform with significant streaming numbers. “Glimpse of Us” became the first song by an Asian solo artist to debut in the Hot 100 top 10, and Joji became only the second Japanese artist, after Kyu Sakamoto, to reach the top 10.
9. BLACKPINK Becomes 1st K-pop Girl Group to Top the Billboard 200 (2024)
In September 2024, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop girl group to top the Billboard 200 with their second album, “Born Pink”. The album, featuring hits like “Hard To Love” and “Pink Venom,” reached No. 1 and contributed to BLACKPINK’s continued global success, including their historic headlining performance at Coachella in 2024.
10. GOT7 Breaks World Albums Chart Record
GOT7, a multinational K-pop group, has consistently garnered love from global listeners, with 19 entries on the World Albums Chart. This includes 15 top 10 projects and four chart-topping releases, such as their 2014 EP “Got It?” and “Flight Log: Turbulence”. Even after leaving JYP Entertainment in 2024, GOT7 remains a fan favorite, landing in the top 10 again in 2024 with their self-titled project.
Overall, with Rosé’s solo achievement and BLACKPINK’s mention, BLACKPINK ends up being the artist with the most entries in this Billboard list.