SEVENTEEN's subunit 'BooSeokSoon' members DK and Seungkwan are making waves internationally with their song 'Blue'.
Recently, 'Blue' topped Spotify's 'Daily Viral Songs' chart in Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia as of the 26th. This chart ranks songs based on a surge in play counts and shares. DK and Seungkwan also secured top 10 positions in Hong Kong (3rd), Taiwan (3rd), Singapore (6th), and South Korea (9th). This is a remarkable achievement for a traditional ballad in the performance-driven K-pop market.
The mini-album 'Soyoak', featuring 'Blue', has entered the US Billboard 200 chart. It also ranked 3rd on Japan's Oricon 'Weekly Album Ranking' and 'Weekly Combined Album Ranking', continuing its success overseas. Previously, the album topped the 'Digital Bestselling Album' EP category on China's largest music platform QQ Music for the week of January 9-15.
Released on the 12th, 'Soyoak' explores the theme of 'ordinary love' through emotional storytelling. The six tracks, arranged to follow the trajectory of love, capture layered emotions in everyday life, resonating deeply with listeners. 'Blue', in particular, portrays the complex feelings when love's pace falters, delivered through DK and Seungkwan's powerful vocals, earning critical acclaim.
The song's relatable nature has sparked spontaneous fan challenges. The 'Duet Challenge', where fans harmonize with DK and Seungkwan, has gained significant popularity. As related videos flood social media, 'Blue' reached the top of Instagram's 'Trending Audio'. On the 28th, an instrumental version of 'Blue' was released on SEVENTEEN's YouTube channel, expected to further fuel fan participation.
The 'Vocal Challenge' by 'singing masters' is also gaining attention. Artists from various genres, including Davichi, Gummy, Kim Tae-woo, Younha, Daybreak, 10CM, and WOODZ, have reinterpreted 'Blue' in their unique styles, adding to the listening experience. Recently, Apink's Jung Eun-ji, DAY6's Young K, BOYNEXTDOOR's Sungho and Liu, and TWS's Youngjae and Kyungmin have joined, boosting 'Blue's' enduring popularity.
Reporter: Kim Ji-won, TenAsia one@tenasia.co.kr