‘Virtual idol’ PLAVE makes a stunning run, setting a personal best at No. 31 on the Billboard 200

[Financial News] Virtual idol group PLAVE has achieved its highest-ever ranking on Billboard’s main U.S. albums chart.
On the 27th (local time), Billboard reported that PLAVE’s fifth mini-album, ‘HYPERDRIVE,’ ranked No. 31 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Oct. 31. That is 114 places higher than the group’s previous best of No. 145, set with its previous release, ‘Caligo Pt.2.’
The title track, ‘Star Trace,’ ranked No. 84 on the Billboard Global 200. It had previously entered the chart dated Oct. 24 at No. 68, surpassing the No. 138 ranking of ‘BBUU!,’ and went on to chart for a second consecutive week. Four other tracks from the album also charted for a second consecutive week.
Domestic album sales also reached a new high for the group. According to Hanteo Chart, ‘HYPERDRIVE,’ released as a physical album on the 13th, sold around 1.32 million copies in its first week through the 19th. That figure is higher than the previous album’s roughly 1.25 million copies.
This album is PLAVE’s first new release in about six months, following ‘Caligo Pt.2,’ released in April. It contains five tracks in total, including the title track. As of midnight on the 13th, after the music was released, all the tracks ranked between No. 1 and No. 5 on major domestic music charts, including Melon, Genie and Bugs.
[email protected] Shin Jin-a Reporter