Despite BTS absence, K-pop groups dominate 2023 Global Artist Chart

 

K-pop groups once again dominated the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI’s) Global Artist Chart, with boy bands Seventeen and Stray Kids bringing home silver and bronze, respectively, and newcomer girl group NewJeans clocking in at No. 8.

The London-based record industry tracker released its list of the top global artists of 2023 — which takes into account physical sales, downloads and streaming — on Wednesday.

Pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was once again crowned the IFPI’s Global Recording Artist of the Year, a back-to-back win after topping IFPI’s list for 2022 and her fourth No. 1 spot in total.

Boy band BTS took the top spot on IFPI’s Global Recording Artist charts for 2020 and 2021 and landed on No. 2 in 2022 — but with all members currently enlisted in the military, the group’s music activities are on pause.

K-pop artists, even in its absence, still shone bright.

This is Seventeen’s third consecutive time landing on the top 10 list at No. 2, its highest ranking to date, having climbed up from its No. 6 spot in 2022. IFPI attributed Seventeen’s global success to its record-breaking 10th EP, “FML.”

Stray Kids also landed No. 3 after making its IFPI Global Artist Chart debut last year. The band was celebrated for its third full-length album, “5-Star,” and high-profile performances worldwide including in Japan and the United States.

Boy band Tomorrow X Together entered the list for the first time, landing No. 7 after finding global recognition in 2023 with its fifth EP containing lead track “Sugar Rush Ride,” third full-length album “Freefall” and second Japanese full-length album “Sweet.”

NewJeans ranked the highest among female solo or group artists on the chart following Swift, at No. 8. This was the group’s first time landing on the list, having found massive success in 2023 with hit tracks “Ditto,” “OMG,” “Super Shy” and “ETA.”

Girl group IVE and boy band NCT Dream also debuted on the IFPI Global Artist Chart Top 20, at No. 12 and No. 15, respectively.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]