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J-Hope has gone where no other BTS member has entered the UK top 40 as a solo artist.
The K-pop star (real name Jung Ho-seok) makes an impression on the Official UK Singles Chart, released on March 10, with “On The Street”, his collaboration with American rapper J. Cole.
“On The Street” sneaks into the top 40 at No. 37, marking the South Korean artist’s first top-tier solo appearance, and the first for a single member of BTS.
He’s not the first to try. Among the K-pop superstars’ solo efforts, Jungkook’s “Stay Alive” (No. 89), Jin’s “The Astronaut” (No. 61), and RM’s “Indigo” (No. 45) all charted, though none entered the upper frame. , reports the company Official Charts.
The seven-piece, who have been on hiatus since 2022, have combined to score nine top 40s in the UK Singles Chart, including four top 10s. And on the album chart, J-Hope, Jin, Suga, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook have combined to land eight top 40s, including 2019’s UK No.1 Map of the soul – Persona and 2020’s Map of the Soul – 7.
“On the Street” is J-Hope’s first new solo song since he hopped on “Rush Hour” with Korean R&B singer Crush. He has a number of previously released independent efforts, “More” and “Arson”, from his 2022 solo album Jack in the Box; the 2019 independent collaboration with Becky G, “Chicken Noodle Soup”; and a solo mixtape from 2018, Hope World.
J-Hope has had a busy year outside of his regular duties with the all-conquering BTS. His Disney+ documentary, J-Hope in the box, now streaming, he was recently named an ambassador for luxury brand Louis Vuitton; and last month became the second BTS member, after Jin, to enlist in South Korea’s military service.
All able-bodied male South Korean citizens must serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months – including members of the BTS – although the length of service can vary. The draft begins in the year they turn 18, but the men can delay it until they turn 28. In December 2020, the South Korean National Assembly passed the so-called “BTS Law” to allow K-pop entertainers postpone the service until the age of 30, with the recommendation of the Minister of Culture. In another bonus for ARMY, the boys will be free to participate in “national” events for the “public good,” according to Korea Times.