[Breaking News] KATSEYE's 'WILD' Tops Billboard 200.. A Major Achievement Just Two Years After Debut

*This content was translated by AI.

Global girl group KATSEYE has reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart with their third EP, 'WILD'.

According to a Billboard chart preview article released on the 22nd (local time), 'WILD' debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart dated August 29, 2026.

With this achievement, KATSEYE has claimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 for the first time since their debut in 2024, just two years later. KATSEYE becomes the fourth girl group to reach number one on Billboard's main chart since 2020, following BLACKPINK, NewJeans, and TWICE.

Billboard reported that "'WILD' recorded 170,000 album units," noting that "album sales totaled 145,000 copies. SEA (Streaming Equivalent Albums) accounted for 24,500 units, while TEA (Track Equivalent Albums) contributed 500 units."

Released on the 14th, 'WILD' is an album that expresses KATSEYE embracing their inner selves as they are and moving toward instinct and freedom. The project features contributions from renowned producers including Bang Si-hyeok, Chairman of HYBE, pop star Ed Sheeran, Omer Fedi, Blake Slatkin, and others.

Previously, KATSEYE made their first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (dated August 8) at number 24 with 'Animal', setting a new personal best record. The 24th position surpasses the previous highest debut ranking of 28 set by 'PINKY UP' in April.

With this achievement, KATSEYE has now placed five consecutive songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: starting with 'Gnarly', followed by 'Gabriela', 'Internet Girl', 'PINKY UP', and 'Animal'. Including collaborative tracks performed with LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT, this marks their sixth overall chart entry.

'Animal' is a pop track that expresses the latent instincts and wildness within through cheerful rhythms and dynamic beats. While their previous works 'Internet Girl' and 'PINKY UP' left a strong impression with funky electronic sounds, EDM-influenced repetitive hooks, and bold performances, this song has gained popularity by emphasizing the members' diverse vocal tones and more mature vocals.

KATSEYE is a team that debuted in the United States in August 2024 based on HYBE's 'Multi-home, multi-genre' strategy led by Chairman Bang Si-hyeok and the 'K-pop Methodology'. The group was formed through the global audition project 'The Debut: Dream Academy', which received applications from 120,000 participants worldwide. Training sessions and mission processes for participants were made public via YouTube and Weverse, with fans around the world participating in selecting debut members through voting.

Previously, KATSEYE achieved a triple crown at the '2026 American Music Awards', including 'New Artist of the Year', and was also nominated in two categories at the '68th Grammy Awards'.

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*This content was translated by AI.