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A promotional image for BTS (provided by Big Hit Music)

BTS replaced itself at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

On the new chart announced by Billboard on Monday, the group’s latest release, “Permission to Dance” took over the top spot from its previous single “Butter,” which had ruled the roost for seven straight weeks.

BTS becomes the 14th act since the Beatles in 1964 to replace itself at #1. It’s the sort of feat achieved in the past by pop stars at the peak of their popularity, including Taylor Swift in 2014, The Weeknd in 2015, Justin Bieber in 2016 and Drake in 2018.

To date, BTS has debuted on top of the Hot 100 with four songs: “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On,” “Butter,” and now “Permission to Dance.” It’s the fourth act to do so, after Ariana Grande (currently with five), Bieber, and Drake.

Released by Billboard on Monday, the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated July 24 showed “Permission to Dance” at number one. (Twitter screenshot)

BTS just keeps writing new records, with a #1 debut on the Hot 100 almost assured with each release. It’s a significant achievement that shows that the group has truly developed into a global pop act.

After its release on July 9, “Permission to Dance” was expected to face some stiff competition from other singles that came out around the same time, including the collaboration “Stay” by Canadian Justin Bieber and Australian The Kid Laroi and “Motley Crew,” the latest release by Post Malone.

But “Permission to Dance” racked up 140,100 downloads during its first week on sale from July 9 to 15, over ten times the 12,000 recorded by “Stay” at #3.

For an act to replace itself at #1 on the Billboard charts, it needs a stable fan base in the pop market or some situation that makes it the focus of major attention.

In BTS’ case, the group has its massive fan base known as Army. It’s that base’s purchasing power that drove up the downloads to help propel the single past its competitors.

Also winning support from the public is the fact that BTS was sharing a message to people struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while highlighting the value of diversity with a performing showing people of different ethnicities and ages dancing together with the use of International Sign (IS), a global form of sign language.

The “English lyrics trilogy” of “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance” are songs of healing that share a message of comfort and hope to people suffering due to the pandemic.

A promotional image for BTS’ latest single, “Permission to Dance,” celebrates the song’s music video recording 100 million views on YouTube. (provided by Big Hit Music)

“Dynamite” is a call to triumph over the feelings of helplessness and despair that people have experienced after the virus’s spread robbed them of their daily lives. “Butter” warmed the hearts of people weary from the pandemic situation, while “Permission to Dance” captured a message urging listeners to let the music move them once the pandemic is over and they can return to ordinary life.

“Permission to Dance” in particular has won plaudits for a music video that shows people of different nationalities dancing together, with choreography that incorporates the IS gestures for “enjoy,” “dance” and “peace.”

BTS shared a reaction to the chart-topping performance of “Permission to Dance” on the fan platform Weverse.

Leader RM said he was having “all sorts of emotions.”

“I hope that at some point we can meet and embrace each other and share all the joy we haven’t been able to,” he said.

By Jung Hyuk-june, staff reporter

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